POLAR AVIATION (1981 - 2024)
Polar Aviation began in 1981 when Clark Butson recognised a clear need in the Pilbara. Remote communities were being left behind - cut off by distance and lacking reliable transport options. Clark believed they deserved better: dependable access to essential services, safe travel, and the same opportunities as those in major cities.
From its earliest flights, Polar was more than just a charter service. It became a vital connection - moving students, supporting mining operations, delivering freight, and even responding to emergencies. Operating its own turbine aircraft, building hangars in key locations, and investing in in-house training and navigation systems, Polar built a reputation for doing things properly and showing up where others wouldn’t.
Key operations during this time:
FIFO flights and critical supply runs for the mining industry
Student and passenger charter services to remote communities
Flight training for both recreational and commercial pilots
Search and Rescue operations across Western Australia
Aerial tours showcasing the Pilbara’s landscape
Maintenance services for turbine and piston aircraft
Full compliance with CAR 217 and proprietary navigation development
POLAR AVIATION (2025 - Present)
Now based on Australia’s East Coast, Polar Aviation continues to grow, but its commitment remains unchanged. The same principles that shaped the business in the Pilbara still guide it today: do things properly, invest in the right people, and operate to the highest standard.
With expanded services in aircraft management and aviation consulting, Polar now supports private clients and aviation organisations looking to raise their operational game. And with the addition of international charter capabilities, the business has crossed a significant milestone - offering cross-border travel backed by decades of regional aviation experience.
What Polar offers today:
Full-service aircraft management for private and commercial clients
Consulting for aviation operators, training organisations, and corporates
International charter capability across Asia-Pacific and beyond
A team defined by precision, discipline, and operational excellence