Emma McDonald made her debut this weekend at 2023 Australian International Air Show held at Avalon Airport. Emma performed solo displays and formation displays across the six-day event alongside world renowned MHR pilot, Matt Hall.

The only female aerobatics pilot at the air show, McDonald wears that badge with honour, proudly representing a demographic that is not as common within the industry.

“I’m certainly very proud and privileged to be here. To be invited to perform at Avalon is really quite special,” McDonald says.

“Being a female pilot, there’s certainly not many of us. There’s more coming onboard, which is great to see, so I’m here to try to encourage more women to join.”

Over the week, about 248,000 people flocked to the Avalon Airshow more than 76,000 more than the total attendance at the last air show, held in 2019.

From everyone at Matt Hall Racing, congratulations Emma!

• Airborne shots by Full Throttle Photography

• Ground shots by Joshua Davis