Rex founder Michael Jones appointed CEO at Turbine Aeronautics

An Australian aviation veteran has taken on what could be his biggest challenge yet at the helm of an Adelaide tech company.

Turbine Aeronautics chairman and co-founder Andrew Limmer. Picture: Renee Nowytarger.

A 35-year veteran of Australia’s aviation industry has been handed what may be his biggest challenge yet, at the helm of Adelaide-based Turbine Aeronautics.

Michael Jones founded Regional Express airlines out of the ashes of Ansett in 2002, and more recently served on Virgin Australia’s management team as chief strategy and corporate development officer, under former CEO Paul Scurrah.

As Turbine Aeronautics’ CEO and managing director, Mr Jones will have responsibility for steering the company from research and development to production and commercial sales of advanced turbine engines.

Chairman and co-founder Andrew Limmer said Mr Jones’ appointment was seen as the key to consolidating the company’s plans to deliver its first product by early 2023.

“Michael will bring the leadership, technology skills, entrepreneurial experience and vision to drive the next phase of development of Turbine Aeronautics,” Mr Limmer said.

The Adelaide-based company was currently developing “revolutionary” turboprop engines for small planes, as well as military unmanned aerial vehicles and future hybrid electric aircraft.

The technology also had potential to be used in distributed energy production, or with alternative fuel options.

Mr Jones, a former experimental test pilot with the Australian Defence Force, said the company was on the right track to deliver Australian-developed technology to a global market in the very near future.

“The research and development and detailed design program for our launch engine is nearing completion and we are now gearing up to move through the whole of engine prototyping towards production, assembly and full commercialisation,” Mr Jones said.

Mr Limmer said it was an exciting time for the company.

“We’re looking forward to working with our new CEO to not only deliver to our customers a superior engine, but also to grow an Australian-based bricks and mortar technology company,” he said.

Former CEO and co-founder David Limmer would assume new responsibilities for commercial and sales operations, overseeing the company’s entry into its launch market of experimental and sport aviation.

Originally published as Rex founder Michael Jones appointed CEO at Turbine Aeronautics