Tom obtained his Pilots License in 1986 and has more than 1,200 hours flying experience. A keen aerobatic competitor since 1988, he has clocked up 900 of those hours flying aerobatics.

Tom won the Australian National Aerobatic Championships in 1999 and 2000 and has competed at three World Championships where he was the highest placed Australian in two of those events. He has won the NSW title six times and has been Australian Freestyle Champion five times. He is regarded as one of the most qualified and awarded aerobatic pilots in Australia and performs regularly at airshows and sporting events.

Tom pilots the Museum's Wirraway and Boomerang and regularly flies his Extra on Museum flying days.