Following his work supporting rescue crew operations during the response to Cyclone Alfred in Queensland last March, Nautilus Aviation’s Safety and Quality Manager, Daniel Barresi, has continued to broaden his horizons across the aviation industry.
A 2025 recipient of CASA’s Safety manager scholarship, his career has been built on continuous learning and a willingness to take opportunities as they come.
From studying at RMIT University, where he completed a double degree in aviation and business management, to his current role with Nautilus Aviation, Daniel has navigated multiple facets of the industry, gaining valuable experience along the way.
‘Like many young people starting out, I needed to put myself through uni,’ Daniel explains.
‘I landed a part-time ground handling job at Melbourne Airport and worked my way up to duty manager, which looking back, really set the foundations for my career.
‘Ultimately, this opportunity exposed me to a wide range of aspects from interacting with clients through to observing safety procedures, to ensure smooth airport operations behind the scenes.
‘You just can’t buy the experience of working with major airlines like Qantas, Virgin or Air New Zealand and it taught me a lot.’
Building a career
While his university education provided the theoretical foundation, it was hands-on experience that set the stage for his future success.
‘Once I finished uni I relocated to Cairns in Queensland to take up an operations manager position with Menzies Aviation,’ Daniel says.
‘It was always in the back of my mind that once I finished studying, I wanted to get out of the hustle and bustle of a big city like Melbourne. So, when the Cairns opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance.
‘Once again, I had to wear a few hats including managing the compliance side of things and that’s what really kicked off my interest in aviation safety.’
After a few years in fixed-wing operations, Daniel decided a change was in order and joined Nautilus Aviation.
‘Sometimes I don’t know what I was thinking,’ he laughs.
‘Let’s just say I love a challenge and moving into a rotary environment meant I had to learn a lot, and fast.
‘But this current role has been so rewarding. It’s taught me so many different aspects of aviation including auditing, dangerous goods handling, general flight operations, airworthiness and aircraft maintenance.
‘It’s very different to a commercial or fixed-wing environment and I love the diversity.
‘Because I haven’t come from a pilot or engineering background, it’s important to me to stay involved in operations through things like becoming a certified rescue crew officer.
‘I feel keeping in touch with operations gives me a better perspective and understanding when I’m looking to implement safety initiatives through my combined experience.’
The road ahead
Testament to his commitment to personal and professional growth, Daniel plans to use the $5,000 scholarship grant to complete a lead auditor course with Southpac Aerospace.
The course will also contribute to his pursuit of a Diploma of Quality Auditing, an area closely related to his current responsibilities as a safety and quality manager.
‘Auditing plays a central role in ensuring safety standards are met,’ he says.
‘Having worked across various areas of aviation, I’m keenly aware of the differences between rotary and commercial operations.
‘While the commercial sector is often in the spotlight, general aviation requires the operator to maintain the same high standards of responsibility without necessarily the same level of public scrutiny.
‘It’s important to me that everything is done right, even when no-one is watching.’
Sun and the staffy
With his commitment to making the sky safer, ongoing study and responding to natural disasters as a rescue crew officer, Daniel makes sure he gets the most of his limited down time.
‘I love the job and the opportunities that have come my way, but it takes dedication,’ he says.
‘Safety is always the number one priority and the responsibility of having people onboard our helicopters isn’t lost on me.
‘Fortunately, Cairns is a great place to be able to relax and unwind.
‘It provides a great balance because I have a choice between the beach and the hinterland and when I’m not working, you can find me outdoors somewhere with my 2-year-old American Staffy, Maisey.
‘She keeps me busy and active, so I can’t complain too much.
‘I’m just really looking forward to seeing where my career takes me.’
