A retired Air Traffic Controller, Ashton has spent much of his life in Western Australia. Born in Westonia of farming parents, he understands the challenges facing those who choose to live in remote areas.

"My parents had a farm a few miles outside Westonia in my younger days, and they struggled with natural disasters of biblical proportions. It's not always easy for people living in regional Australia and it can be especially hard for those with poor health and not much money who are separated from close family members. Now that I'm retired I want to do my bit to give a helping hand where I can and Angel Flight gives me the opportunity to do this in a meaningful way."

Ashton's interest in flying began when he was sixteen following his first flight in a De Haviland Hornet.

"I left home to join the RAAF and was at the engineering school at Wagga when I got my first opportunity to experience flight. I loved the thrill of flying, but it wasn't until 1989 that I got really serious and subsequently bought a Piper Cherokee 180D aircraft."

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