Captain David Evans

Captain David Evans's Biography

Captain David Evans is a veteran Qantas pilot, who was faced with the biggest challenge of his career on Airbus 380 which was crippled in the air above Singapore. An intense situation, David shares his experience, knowledge and skill and how these processes can be used in everyday life.

David is also a Senior Check & Training Captain and Motivational Speaker. With over 25,000 flying hours and 35 years flying for Qantas, including successfully overseeing one of the most significant near disasters in aviation history, Captain Evans has turned his hand to leadership of a different kind.

Through his motivational presentations which cover the lessons learned from the QF32, as well as a variety of other topics, he shares the knowledge gained over the course of his career.

From flight-specific statistics to leadership, decision-making and coping with the aftershocks of a startling event, his presentations have helped hundreds to reframe their perception of both air travel and their own everyday lives.

Following his part in the successful landing of the 2010 QF32 disaster, Captain Evans was invited to deliver a presentation in front of Air France and their La Trajectoire program about his experience, and the lessons to be learnt from the exemplary handling of the crisis by all on board. It would be a new challenge to say the least but - after some coaching from his sons’ speech and drama tutor - he took the leap and made the speech. It was a resounding success, and he hasn’t looked back.

Over the past decade this initial presentation has changed and developed with each new audience, growing into a fully realised lecture. He covers teamwork, workload management, communication and decision making, amongst other topics, and provides value not only to those within the aviation sector, but to groups of all sizes, vocational backgrounds and demographics.

Speaking Topics Include

Leadership in times of crisis

Human Factors

Decision Making

Communication

Situation Awareness

Teamwork

Leadership & Management

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

The basics of all flying. Widespread knowledge of SOPs allows individuals who may not have previously met to come together and immediately operate as an effective team.

Just Culture

Effectively a self-reporting culture that identifies errors or slips that other crew can learn from, thus avoiding repetition. Has the added advantage of identifying errors in the SOPs.

Promotes accountability; encourages self-reporting and protects the reporter from punitive action. However, doesn’t protect the blatant rule breaker. Not a “no blame” culture.

Fear of Flying

Statistics of Flying

Fundamentals of Flight

Pilots, Planning and Flight Safety

Weather and Turbulence

The Media and Common Questions

Crisis Management & the Startle Effect

Strategies for navigating high-stress, threatening or fear-inducing situations

How to recover from the “Amygdala Hijack” triggered by a startle event