Max Hazelton

Charles Maxwell Hazelton (6 May 1927 – 9 April 2023) was an Australian aviator and founder of Hazelton Airlines, alongside his brother Jim, a regional Australian airline which became Regional Express Airlines after a merger in August 2002.

Biography

Born in May 1927,

Working as an apprentice automotive engineer in Sydney, he continued his interest in becoming a pilot, eventually acquiring a private and, later, a commercial pilot's license. With support from his mother he purchased his first aircraft, an Auster Aiglet Trainer for 2,500 Pounds.

In October 1954, he crashed his plane on a flight from Bankstown Airport in heavy rain near Oberon, but escaped uninjured. While only 16 kilometres from Oberon he got lost in heavy fog, hiking for six days and covering over 100 kilometres before returning to civilisation.

Purchasing a new aircraft, a Cessna 180, he continued flying charters and applying fertiliser and pesticides. He was reported for night flying by the local police, then illegal, but was able to convince the authorities to lift the ban, pointing out that flying conditions were calmer at night and crop spraying was essential to local cotton farmers. In 2001, the Hazelton family sold their stake in the airline to Ansett Australia, after a take-over battle between the former and Qantas. After Ansett collapsed in September 2001, Hazelton Airlines continued operations and, together with Kendell Airlines, became Regional Express Airlines on 1 August 2002.

He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1981 New Year Honours for service to aviation, and appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1991 Queen's Birthday Honours, again for service to aviation.

Hazelton died on 9 April 2023, at the age of 95. His widow, Laurel Ivy Hazelton, died on 23 June 2024, aged 88. The two were survived by one of their two children.