Australian Air League South Australia Group

31/03/2026

AAL Families and cadets should have received an Email this morning with a question form and instructions.
What a great opportunity for our cadets to once again be afforded the opportunity to talk directly with an astronaut in space.

Standby for a date. When we know, we will let you know.

We will most likely make the hookup from the Australian Space Agency in the city.

So cadets - get your thinking caps on and hopefully we can asks some insightful questions. If not sure what to ask? Try a little bit of internet searching on the ISS and space travel - sure questions will come from that.

Question to your OC before 01 June 2026.

Good luck all.

27/03/2026

Dear South Australia Group,
Families and carers should have received a number of Emails this week seeking nominations for Anzac, camp and Powered Flying air experience.
If you are not receiving these Emails, we may need to update your details - please see your squadron OC.

A busy time coming up, wish to be sure we are not missing anyone.

Warm regards, Mark

18/03/2026

Gawler cadets, drill at dusk.

05/12/2025

Looking forward to the South Australia Group presentation night.
Our three wonderful squadrons come together and we look back on the year that was.
Some deserving cadets might promoted and awards given.
Surprising how much we have achieved In the last 12 months - gliding, Australian citizen ceremonies, Anzac city march, some professional Coaching and Mentoring training, helicopter flights and even an Airshow. Phew!
Hope to see as many cadets and families tomorrow. Always a great night.

Also looking forward to the Officer lunch on Sunday. Where all officers, Warrent Officers, Branch members and adult volunteers are welcome to relax over a good meal.

Also looking forward to doing more next year. Should be good!

22/11/2025

Weather is looking good for the Helicopter Air Experience tomorrow in the beautiful Barossa.

Families enjoy a substantial discount thanks to the Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund.
This and funds matched from the squadrons enable the flight to be offered at the lowest possible cost to our wonderful AAL families.

Want to fly but not told your OC?

That’s OK, just need the Form 17 filled out, bring it with you and be there ready for the safety brief at 10:00am.

Address: Barossa Helicopters, 261 Hoffnungsthal Road, Lyndoch, SA.

Offer to cadets only (of course).

Hope to see you there!

25/10/2025

To all cadets scheduled to fly tomorrow - unfortunately the weather has deteriorated and after a discussion with the aircrew just now - the reluctant decision is be safe and to cancel the Powered Air Experience for tomorrow.

We will look to reschedule in the new year.

Our apologies for the inconvenience - we cannot control the weather (it looked ok but forecast has since deteriorated)

Fee, will of course be refunded.

Better luck next time.

25/10/2025

Looking forward to Powered Flying Experience tomorrow at Parafield Airport.
Big thanks the Adelaide Biplanes for the Cessna aircraft and crew, big thanks to the Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund for the generous support to make the experience affordable.
Parafield Airport authority also gets a big thanks to their support of this endeavour.
Should be a great day for participating cadets.

The crew have asked for cadet weights to better calculate weight and balance requirements.

Could the participating cadet families please send the Group Commissioner an Email or SMS with the approximate weight of your cadet?

It goes without saying - a big thank you to cadet families and supporters who get the cadet ready and to the event on time.

Chocks away!

17/10/2025

An awesome opportunity for our Australian Air League cadets. 20 question were selected and those successful cadets are now given the marvellous opportunity to ask an astronaut on the ISS a question. Unless things change, that astronaut will be Mike Fincke (pictured).
Hookup will be at the Australian Space Agency building in Adelaide on 31st October.
Email was sent to AAL families letting them know who was successful and the wuestions selected.

Exciting times!

15/10/2025

15 cadets took the challenge last weekend and experienced soaring over Gawler.
Fantastic result thanks to the Adeliade Soaring Club and gererious support from the Sir Ross and Sir Keth Smith Fund - keeping costs low for families.

Looking forward to Powered flying out of Parafield in two weeks (26th Oct)

Interested AAL cadets - make sure you let your OC know.

Not done yet - Barossa Helicopters will also be going ahead in November (23rd to be precise).

We still have our hook up with the International Soace Station - where cadets who submitted the top 20 questions **may** get to ask an astronaught in space those questions - assuming everything works🙂.

Will let successful cadets know soon. Date of the ISS hookup is still yet to be locked in.

We have some fun stuff coming up - hope to see you there!

03/09/2025

03/09/2025

AAL Families,

The opportunity for your cadet to possibly speak to an astronaut on the International Space Station will soon close (date was extended).

Date is still not locked in but should be in the next four to six weeks. We will use the Australian Space Agency building on North Terrace in Adelaide.

An exciting and unique opportunity (how many people do you know who have had a chat to someone in space?).

Please have the form completed and sent to your squadron OC by this Saturday evening. The questions need to be submitted to NASA next week.

If it turns out your cadet cannot make it - another cadet may ask the question on their behalf, using your cadets name. Still very cool.

Interesting fact: the International Space Station will soon (next five years) be deliberately deorbited and will burn up upon re-entry. This will really be a unique opportunity.

24/08/2025

Great day for the five cadets that soared at Gawler Airfield today.
For some it was their first flight in a glider.
Conditions were a bit cooler than expected but flying conditions were excellent!
Thanks to the families being on time and making the effort for this experience to take place.
Thanks for the Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund for the support that make this affordable.
Thanks to Adeliade Soaring Club for their support, in particular: Angela for the organisation, David the pilot, Steven and Josh doing the ground handling.

Get to do it all again in September!