Mr Steve Thatcher

In 1985 the University of South Australia’s (UniSA) antecedent institution the South Australian Institute of Technology introduced Australasia’s first tertiary award course in Aviation. This established the Aviation Discipline in the Australasian region. Steve Thatcher was a founding member of the team that introduced this award and remains the longest serving Aviation Academic in Australia.

In 1990 UniSA established Australia’s first University owned and operated flight training school, UniSA Aviation Academy. Steve Thatcher was a founding member of the team that established the Aviation Academy.

Steve was also the founder of the Aviation Education, Research and Operations Laboratory (AERO Lab). He is currently the Founding Team Leader of AERO Lab.

He was also a founding member of the Australasian University Aviation Association

In 2005 Steve successfully negotiated the SA Government Fixed Wing Shark Patrol Service for UniSA Aviation. UniSA Shark Patrol provides a valuable community service and has provided graduate pilots with valuable flight time experience at a stage in their careers when it is relatively difficult to get flight experience. UniSA Shark Patrol recently won the Chancellors Award for Community Engagement.

In 2004 Steve won the Best Paper Award for the best paper presentation of the conference for “Theoretical Framework for a Knowledge-based Intelligent Enhancement to an Aircraft Ground Proximity Warning System” at the AISAT-2004 Conference in Hobart.

In 2006 Steve was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Community Engagement for the establishment of the UniSA Shark Patrol Service.

In 2007 Steve won the Platinum Award for Best Paper for the paper “Scenario-based Assessment in Aviation Education.” at the 11th Baltic Conference on Engineering Education held 17th -20th June in Tallinn, Estonia.

In 2007 Steve was awarded the Silver Badge of Honour. UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education’s (UICEE) Silver Badge of Honour for distinguished contributions to engineering education, outstanding achievements in the globalisation of engineering education through the activities of the Centre, and, in particular, for remarkable service to the UICEE.

Steve has qualifications in Physics, Psychology, Education and Aviation. He has been a Jackaroo in South West Queensland, a Graduate Engineer for British Aerospace (UK) and has lectured in Physics, Electronics and Aviation. He holds a Commercial Pilot Licence and a Grade One Instructor Rating.

Steve is on the Editorial and Review Boards of several journals and conferences

UniSA Aviation Home Page

• Aviation Education and Training
• Flight Training
• Instructor Training

Editorial Board, Intelligent Decision Technologies, An International Journal.

Consulting Editor, International Journal of Applied Aviation Studies, USA.

Member of the KES Journal Board of Reviewers, International Journal on Knowledge-based Intelligent Engineering Systems, UK.

Appointed to the International Review Panel, International Knowledge-based Engineering Systems Conference Melbourne, 2005.

Appointed to the International Review Panel, International Knowledge-based Engineering Systems Conference Bournemouth, 2006.

2000- 2005 Treasurer, Australian Aviation Psychology Association

Member, Australian Aviation Psychology Association

Member, Association of Aviation Psychologists

Visiting Scholar at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Visiting Scholar at University of Paisley, Paisley , Scotland.

1980 Bachelor of Science (Physics and Psychology); BSc; Adelaide University

1987 Diploma of Education; DipEd; Adelaide University

1991 Master of Applied Science (Research); MAppSc; University of South Australia

1989-1990 Commercial Pilot Licence; CPL; Masterflight Flying School

Grade One Instructor Rating

• Application of Knowledge-based Intelligent Engineering Systems to Aviation Safety. Specifically an Intelligent Knowledge-based Aircraft Landing Support System
• Application of Intelligent Agent Systems in aircraft cockpit. Specifically Data Clustering Algorithm for behavioural markers.
• Member of the Human Factors Research Team at Ohio State University working on a US$ 2.5 million FAA funded research project.
• Methodology of Flight Instruction. In particular the application of andragogical (or adult education) methodology to flight instruction.
• Investigation of negative attitude transfer from the ab-initio flight training environment to the airline multi-crew environment.
• Flight Instructor training in facilitation techniques in ab-initio flight training.
• Educational outcomes derived from integration in flight training.
• Teamwork assessment instrument.
• In-flight fuel mismanagement.

39. Thatcher, S., (In Press) Experiential Learning and Classification of Team Skills in Pilot Education. World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, Vol 6 (2), pp 83-86, 2007.

38. Thatcher, S. Scenario-Based Learning and Assessment for Second Year Aviation Students. Global Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 11, No. 2. pp. 123-133 2007

37. Thatcher, S., Scenario-based assessment in aviation education, Proc. 11th Baltic Region Seminar on Engineering Education, Tallinn, Estonia, 18-20 June 2007, pp1-4.

36. Thatcher, S., The Internationalisation of the Aviation Education, Research and Operations Laboratory (AERO Lab) at University of South Australia, Proc. 10th Annual Conference on Engineering Education, Bangkok, Thailand, 19-23 March 2007, 45-48.

35. Keen, T. and Thatcher, S., Students’ personal experiences as an effective decision making technique in aviation meteorology, Proc. 10th Annual Conference on Engineering Education, Bangkok, Thailand, 19-23 March 2007, 247-250.

34. Thatcher, S., An Artificial Intelligent Paradigm for Systems Safety in the Cockpit, Proc. of the 7th International Symposium of the Australian Aviation Psychology Association, Sydney, Australia, 9-12 November 2006, 7pp.

33. Brown, I., Thatcher, S. and Jones, C., Systems Safety in Australian General Aviation – Where are we now?, Proc. of the 7th International Symposium of the Australian Aviation Psychology Association, Sydney, Australia, 9-12 November 2006, 8pp.

32. Thatcher, S., Jain, L. and Fyfe, C., An Intelligent Aircraft Landing Support Paradigm, Proc 2005 International Symposium on Aviation Psychology – Revised, 2006, 741-746.

31. Thatcher, S., The Use of Advanced Simulator Technology in Aviation Education, Proc. of the Ninth IASTED International Conference Computers and Advanced Technology in Education, Lima, Peru, 4-6 October 2006, pp.316-320.

30. Thatcher, S.J. (2006). Development of a New discipline in Aviation Education and Training at University of South Australia., Proceedings of the 5th Global Congress on Engineering Education Brooklyn, New York, USA July 2006.

29. Thatcher, S.J. and Payne, L.(2006). Analysis of an Educational Technique to Aid Students' Understanding of Complex Flight Planning., Proceedings of the 5th Global Congress on Engineering Education Brooklyn, New York, USA July 2006.

28. Keen, T. and Thatcher, S.J. (2006). Student presentations as an Effective Educational Technique in Aviation Meteorology., Proceedings of the 5th Global Congress on Engineering Education Brooklyn, New York, USA July 2006.

27. Thatcher, S. J. and Fyfe, C. (2006) Twinned Topographic Maps for Decision making in the Cockpit. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Knowledge-Based & Intelligent Information & Engineering Systems., Bournemouth, UK. October 2006.

26. Thatcher, S., Ong-Aree, J., Nafalski, A., and Göl, O. (2006, February), A knowledge-based engineering approach to training pilots. , Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference on Engineering and Technology Education, Muscat, Oman.

25. Nendick, M. ,Edkins, Thatcher, S. J. (eds.).(2005). Setting The Standards Edition 2. Sydney, Australia: AAvPA.

24. Thatcher, S. J., (2005), Crew-centred flight training: a methodology for improving technical flight training, Proceedings of the 4th Asia-Pacific Forum on Engineering and Technology Education, Bangkok, Thailand, 26-29 September 2005.

23. Payne, L, and Thatcher, S. J. (2005), An educational methodology and technique to improve students’ understanding of complex flight fuel planning.,Proceedings of the 4th Asia-Pacific Forum on Engineering and Technology Education, Bangkok, Thailand, 26-29 September 2005.

22. Thatcher, S.J (2005), An Intelligent Landing Support Paradigm, Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

21. Hardy, M., Thatcher, S.J (2005), The Development of an Intelligent Helicopter Performance Instrumentation System Incorporating Human Factors and Skill Based Expertise, Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

20. Hardy, M., Thatcher, S.J (2004), Development of a Helicopter Performance Instrument System, The Proceedings of the AISAT’2004 Conference. Hobart: University of Tasmania.

19. Thatcher, S.J., Fyfe, C and Jain, L.C. (2004). Theoretical Framework For A Knowledge-based Intelligent Enhancement to an Aircraft Ground Proximity Warning System. In The Proceedings of the AISAT’2004 Conference. Hobart: University of Tasmania.

18. Thatcher, S. J., Jain, L. C. and Fyfe, C. (2004,). An Intelligent Aircraft Landing Support System. In Lecture Notes in Computer Science: The Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Knowledge-based Intelligent Information & Engineering., Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

17. Thatcher, S. J. ,Edkins, G., Hayward, B.J. and Nendick, M. (eds.).(2003). Setting The Standards. Sydney, Australia: AAvPA.

16. Thatcher, S.J. (2000, November). An Investigation of the Root Causes of In flight Fuel Related Events. Paper presented at the Fifth Aviation Psychology Symposium, Manly, Australia.

15. Thatcher, S.J. (2000). Does facilitated group work and independent study in undergraduate pilot education improve learning and foster team skills? . In A.R. Lowe & B.J. Hayward (Eds.), Aviation Resource Management (Vol 2. pp 175-183). Aldershot, England: Ashgate.

14. Thatcher, S.J. (2000). The foundations of Crew Resource Management should be laid during ab initio flight training. In A.R. Lowe & B.J. Hayward (Eds.), Aviation Resource Management (Vol 2. pp 81-89). Aldershot, England: Ashgate.

13. Thatcher, S.J., Huber, N. & Jensen, R.S. (2000). An Analysis of the Generic Causes of In flight Fuel Crisis Events. In Jensen, R.S., Cox, B., Callister, J.D. and Lavis, R. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Tenth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (pp. 1277-1284). Columbus, OH.

12. Thatcher, S.J. (2000). An Analysis of the Root Causes of In flight Fuel Crisis Events. In Jensen, R.S., Cox, B., Callister, J.D. and Lavis, R. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Tenth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (pp. 1285-1291). Columbus, OH.

11. Thatcher, S.J., Huber, N. & Jensen, R.S. (1999, May). An Analysis of the Generic Causes of In flight Fuel Crisis Events. Paper presented at the Tenth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Columbus, OH.

10. Thatcher, S.J. (1999, May). An Analysis of the Root Causes of In flight Fuel Crisis Events. Paper presented at the Tenth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Columbus, OH.

9. Thatcher, S.J. (1998). Flight Instruction or Flight Facilitation: A Foundation for Crew Resource Management. In Jensen, R.S., and Rakovan, L. (Eds.), Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (pp. 609-614). Columbus, OH.

8. Thatcher, S.J. (1998, March). Does Facilitated Group Work and Independent Study in Undergraduate Pilot Education Improve Learning and Foster Team Skills? Paper presented at the Australian Aviation Psychology Symposium, Manly.

7. Thatcher, S.J. (1998, March). The Foundations of Crew Resource Management Should be Laid During Ab initio Flight Training. Paper presented at the Australian Aviation Psychology Symposium, Manly.

6. Thatcher, S.J. (1997, April). Flight Instruction or Flight Facilitation: A Foundation for Crew Resource Management. Paper presented at the Ninth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Columbus, OH.

5. Thatcher, S.J. (1996, November), Flight Instruction or Flight Facilitation: Pedagogy vs Andragogy, Paper presented at Australian Aviation Psychology Association Industry Conference, Melbourne.

4. Thatcher, S.J. (1996, November). What Effect Does Ab-initio Flight Training Have on CRM? Paper presented to the Australian Aviation Psychology Association, Melbourne.

3. Thatcher, S.J. Creep Analysis of P3T Wing Section. (Classified), British Aerospace (Dynamics), Hatfield, UK. 1981.

2. Thatcher, S.J. P3T Complete Missile Structural Test to Failure. (Classified), British Aerospace (Dynamics), Hatfield, UK. 1980.

1. Thatcher, S.J. P3T Fuel Bay Section Structural Test to Failure. (Classified), British Aerospace (Dynamics), Hatfield, UK. 1980.

I am able to provide media comment in the following areas of expertise:

Discipline: Aviation, Information Engineering

• Aviation Education and Training
• Flight Crew Training
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Clustering and Data Mining