Grant Burley funeral service, November 17

Mr Burley, and his fiance Suzanne Rohleder, died when the Cessna 310 he was piloting crashed near his Johns River property on October 28.

Mr Burley had flown the plane from Toowoomba in Queensland.

Mr Burley’s Sydney-based firm, Burley, White & Co described him as a passionate pilot, holding multi- engine fixed wing and rotorcraft licenses. 

He had ferried many aircraft, and crossed all major oceans, often solo in single engine aircraft.

The company website says he spent 30 years in the financial services sector and held such positions as Chief General Manager of Allianz, Managing Director and Founder of Pacific Premium Funding (Pacific).

Mr Burley was on insurance advisory boards to the NSW and QLD governments and was a key advisor to the Australian and New Zealand governments in relation to anti-money laundering legislation as it related to insurance premium funding.

He was a past president of the Insurance Premium Funding Association of Australia, he owned a residential village, and leased specialty aircraft to the New Zealand Government.

Three investigators from the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau began work on Sunday October 29 to try find out what caused the crash.

“The investigators will examine the wreckage; gather any available recorded data and interview witnesses,” ATSB said in a statement.

A preliminary investigation report is expected to be released by late November but a final report may take up to a year.

The celebration of Mr Burley’s life is at the Uniting Church, 10 Clanwilliam Street, Willoughby on Friday November 17, at 1pm. A private cremation will follow the service.