Avionics News June 2013 - 65

PHONE: (03) 613 9379 7845
WEBSITE: www.skylightavionics.com
FACILITIES: Workshop and mobile service

Michael’s customers include regional
airlines, private companies, charter operators
and aircraft maintenance organizations.

WHAT THEY DO:
Skylight Avionics provides radio sales,
installations, troubleshooting and
repairs, as well as aircraft inspections.

EMPLOYEES: 2
FOUNDED: 1984 by Michael Alder
AEA MEMBER SINCE: 2011

“I teach yoga and

Decades of Experience
Pilates. That’s how I stay
Michael entered the aviation industry in
flexible enough to bend
1968, after spending 3 ½ years in the British
Merchant Navy as a radio officer. Later,
backwards over aircraft seats
Michael moved to Australia where he reunited
with his wife-to-be, whom he met on one of his
to work behind panels.”
trips to the Antipodes while in the Navy. From
1968 to 1978, Michael worked as a technician
and quality control inspector with Collins
Michael Alder,
Radio, both in Melbourne and London.
licensed aircraft maintenance engineer
“When I returned to Melbourne, I helped
form a company called Aerodata Systems,
which soon became one of the largest and
most capable avionics sales and maintenance
myself. Yoga enabled me to relax and slow down when I needed,
organizations in the country,” said Michael, who managed the
maintain a fit and healthy body, and socialize with people from
company until 1984.
all walks of life who had no attachment to airplanes.”
“During that time, we were successful in winning extensive
Michael relies on his flexibility and strength to climb in and
tenders for sale of King Radio avionics systems to the Australian
around large and small aircraft.
Air Force and other defense organizations, and also in negotiating
“Yoga is still my escape and keeps me sane,” said Michael,
contracts to perform maintenance both within and outside of
who turns 70 in August. “Pilates helps to maintain strength for
warranty for all avionics units sold to the Australian Defense
physically challenging situations, and I use meditation to ensure
Forces,” he said. “The company was eventually sold to AWA
that my mind is clearly focused.”
mainly for its defense contracts.”
Flexible in Business
The Yoga Advantage
Michael is as flexible in his business as he is on the yoga mat,
As for yoga, Michael has been practicing the ancient Indian
providing services to his customers at the airport as well as on
discipline for 25 years and teaching it for 13.
location.
“Yoga is very popular in Australia, and we have every variety
“I do all of the licensed aircraft maintenance engineering work
that you can imagine,” Michael said. “But the basics are all the
myself,” he said. “I drive to a number of country airports on a
same. My mother lived in Ceylon (now known as the island
regular basis to service flying schools, maintenance operators,
nation of Sri Lanka) for a few years and brought back books on
helicopter operators and, occasionally, a private owner. I
yoga, which I read as a child and tried to emulate.
regularly work in Tasmania and have completed a number of
“The aviation industry is a very high-stress industry. When
installations in overseas countries.”
I ran an avionics company with 15 staff (members), I needed
a way to escape the constant pressure and take some time for
Continued on following page
avionics news

•

june

2013

65
http://www.skylightavionics.com
Avionics News June 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News June 2013
