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Australian airshow pilot Paul Bennet lives life at full throttle. From his early days climbing the ranks of competitive aerobatics to entertaining millions of airshow fans around the world, Paul has built a career defined by passion, precision, and a personal pursuit of excellence.

Today, Paul is one of only a handful of Australian pilots authorized to perform surface-level aerobatics. He flies a Wolf Pitts Pro biplane equipped with a Hartzell carbon fiber Talon propeller, our latest advanced aerobatic propeller design.

Known for his dynamic and aggressive aerobatic displays, Paul continues to push the limits of airshow flying worldwide. As the first Australian aerobatic pilot to perform at EAA AirVenture 2025, Paul is definitely one to watch, and we’re proud to be a part of his journey.

Read on to learn more about Paul’s life as an aerobatic pilot in our exclusive Q&A:

Tell us about you and your journey. Did you always know you wanted to become a pilot?

I have always been interested in aircraft. I first flew in a car seat with my father when I was just one year old. I flew RC aircraft when I was young and still do. I went for a ride in a Pitts Special after RC Flying one day, and that was it. I had to learn.

What drew you to airshow flying? Was there a specific moment, mentor, or performance?

In the early days, I wanted to do well at competition aerobatics. In 2008, I achieved the title of the National Advanced Aerobatic Champion, and the following year became the National Unlimited Aerobatic Champion, receiving the Phillips Cup. 

Once I had climbed the ladder and won Advanced in competition, airshows started to open up for me.
I attended a few airshows as a spectator and wasn’t as impressed as I could have been with the standard of flying I was watching. That motivated me to start flying airshows myself to try to lift the standard.

Tell us about your show airplane. What makes the Wolf Pitts Pro special?

The Wolf Pitts Pro is a work of art. It is the highest performing aerobatic biplane in the world. The design is perfect. I love it.

Why was a Hartzell carbon fiber Talon propeller the right choice for your aircraft?

I flew the Wolf Pitts with a Hartzell Claw for many years. The Claw was by far the best aerobatic prop available at the time. When the Hartzell Talon arrived, it was on another level.

The Talon is light with plenty of bite. It is definitely better at slow speed when torque is required, such as torque roll and hover. It is better for forward flips and double hammerheads as well. The Talon will take some beating.

When you’re performing an airshow sequence, how important is responsiveness and reliability from the propeller?

It is essential. The engine and prop combination are super important. The Claw was great, but the Talon is another level better.

What’s your favorite or signature aerobatic maneuver?

I have three favorites: the torque roll, the double hammerhead, and the forward flip.

In 2025, you made history as the first Australian pilot to perform at EAA AirVenture. Tell us about that experience and what it meant to you.

Oshkosh is the largest aviation event and airshow in the World. I was honored to be invited and felt very privileged to perform at Oshkosh. I really enjoy the U.S. and the people I met. It was a great experience flying my Wolf Pitts all over the country.

What kind of mental and physical preparation goes into an airshow for you?

Airshows are tough and can be very tiring. The best thing for me is to be well-practiced and very current. I am one of few airshow pilots who flies multiple displays, from my Wolf Pitts Solo performance to leading the SkyAces Formation Aerobatic Team to flying Warbirds. My biggest advice: never get complacent.

What should people know about the Australian aviation community? What makes it unique or special?

Australia is a beautiful country. It’s a very nice country to fly around. Aviation is very popular, and there are many airports. The airshow scene is growing and becoming very popular too.

Follow Along with Paul Bennet Airshows

Paul’s dedication to elevating the standards of his craft has made him one of Australia’s most respected airshow pilots. To follow his airshow performances, be sure to follow Paul Bennet Airshows on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

If you’re interested in the Talon aerobatic propeller or any of our other high-performance carbon fiber aircraft propellers, get in touch with our team. We’re here to help you find the right propeller upgrade to match your aircraft, engine, and flying mission.

P.S. Don’t forget that Hartzell Propeller is offering a $1,000 discount on Hartzell carbon fiber composite propellers for active AOPA members, now through the end of 2026! Sweeten the deal by asking about our propeller trade-in options.

Photos by GhostWriter Airshows, Duncan Fenn Photography.