10 April 2025
For Flight Lieutenant Skye Emsley, a career as a pilot was always calling.
Her journey from the small Yorke Peninsula town of Minlaton to the Air Force was shaped by a deep respect for service, instilled by her Opa and Pa's naval careers. Their passion, coupled with the mentorship of a family friend and Air Force pilot, solidified her desire to serve.
“I joined the RAAF to fly the C-17, drawn by its unparalleled versatility and its crucial role in delivering humanitarian aid,” Flight Lieutenant Emsley said.
In becoming an aviation physiology training officer at the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Adelaide, she discovered a deep satisfaction in instructing.
“I love reigniting the passion for learning, reminding students why and for whom we do this work,” Flight Lieutenant Emsley said.
Her dedication to impactful training earned her the Chief of Air Force Instructor of the Year award, which recognised her pivotal role in equipping Air Force personnel with essential aerospace medicine knowledge for safe and effective operations.
“Joining the ADF was about protecting, serving and assisting, both at home and abroad,” she said.
“Now, I empower high-performing aviators to survive and thrive.
“Seeing the impact of my instruction in their world is incredibly rewarding.
“I strive to carry forward the legacy of my own inspiring Air Force instructor, WOFF Brenden ‘Bear’ Reilly. Importantly, as a mother of a young family, inspiring the next generation holds a special significance for me and I couldn’t achieve this without their unwavering support.”
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell presented Flight Lieutenant Emsley her award.
“You should be justly proud of your actions as they are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Defence Force,” Air Marshal Chappell said.
Flight Lieutenant Emsley’s commitment to inspiring future Air Force personnel is a thread that runs through her career.
At her previous posting with 36 Squadron, she enthusiastically discussed her role on the C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft with Defence work experience participants.
“My involvement in the Aviation Program for Women and the Defence Work Experience Program has been a gateway into instructing,” Flight Lieutenant Emsley said.
“I love inspiring the next generation.”
