Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia - RFACA

13/08/2026

Australian grassroots aviation on the global stage ✈️🇦🇺🇺🇸

RFACA President Lachlan Hyde has returned from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 after delivering three invited forums on engaging aviation’s next generation, rebuilding flying clubs, and the future of grassroots aviation.

The presentations brought an Australian perspective to one of the world’s largest aviation gatherings, drawing on experience rebuilding the Royal Aero Club of NSW, developing youth flying pathways at Camden Airport and advocating nationally for the grassroots aviation sector.

Across the week conversations with EAA chapters as well as flying clubs and aviators from the United States, Europe, Africa, and Australia reinforced just how many of the challenges facing grassroots aviation are shared globally.

“The aircraft and technology will change enormously over the coming decades, but somebody will still need a first flight, an instructor, an airport and a community that says there is a place for them here,” Mr Hyde said.

“Aviation’s future still has to start somewhere.”

Thank you to EAA for the opportunity to contribute at AirVenture, and to Australian Flying for covering the story.

Read the full story here: https://www.australianflying.com.au/latest/rfaca-president-takes-australian-grassroots-aviation-advocacy-to-oshkosh

30/06/2026

On Sunday, RFACA was pleased to attend the public meeting at Crookwell RSL for the re-forming of the Crookwell Aero Club.

It was a fantastic morning featuring local aviators, community members, volunteers and representatives from across aviation coming together around a shared goal: seeing Crookwell Aerodrome active, supported and preserved for the future.

Crookwell has a proud place in Australia’s aero club story. The Crookwell Aero Club was first formed in May 1928, with Crookwell Aerodrome officially opened in April 1929 before a crowd of around 3,000 people. The opening was attended by Captain Geoffrey Hughes, then President of the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales, reflecting Crookwell’s early connection to the broader aero club movement.

As the national voice for grassroots aviation the RFACA is proud to support the continuation and revival of the aero club movement, from long-established metropolitan clubs through to historic country aero clubs like Crookwell. These clubs have always been more than places to fly from and are places where people learn, volunteer, mentor, share stories, keep local aerodromes alive and inspire the next generation.

Congratulations to Scott Montgomery on being elected President of the Crookwell Aero Club, along with the newly elected office bearers and committee. It was clear from the room that there is real passion, goodwill and momentum behind this next chapter.

It was also wonderful to see Recreational Aviation Australia, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Australia, the Royal Aero Club of NSW and members of the wider community in attendance, all showing support for Crookwell and the future of regional aviation.

RFACA congratulates everyone involved and looks forward to seeing the Crookwell Aero Club grow, thrive and once again play an important role in supporting pilots, community and grassroots aviation in the Upper Lachlan Shire.

29/06/2026

25/05/2026

Aviation workers, pilots and operators across Australia are facing a sharp increase in the cost of mandatory security identification cards from late June

25/05/2026

Another mandatory cost increase for aviation workers ✈️⚠️

New reporting from Australian Flying confirms Aviation Security Identification Card costs are set to double from late June, rising from around $240 to around $480.

RFACA President Lachlan Hyde said the sector understands the need for appropriate security measures, but the way this increase has been introduced is unacceptable.

“Doubling the practical cost of an ASIC with limited consultation and short lead time is another direct hit to the people who keep aviation moving in Australia,” Mr Hyde said.

The ASIC increase comes on top of fuel, insurance, maintenance, airport charges, proposed annual VH aircraft registration fees and broader cost pressures already affecting general aviation.

RFACA is calling for proper consultation and a serious assessment of the cumulative cost impact on small operators, regional aviation workers, flight training organisations and the future aviation workforce pipeline.

Security matters. But national security measures should be transparent, proportionate and implemented with genuine industry consultation.

Read the full story here: https://www.australianflying.com.au/latest/asic-costs-set-to-double-as-industry-demands-consultation

21/05/2026

The Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week reported on a proposal to build 30,000 homes on the airport site and extend the metro line at least one more stop, but both AMG and its owner Aware Super have told Australian Aviation that those plans are not on the cards.

21/05/2026

Bankstown Airport is not surplus land ✈️🛑

New reporting from confirms Aeria Management Group and Aware Super have ruled out residential redevelopment of Bankstown Airport following media reports of a possible 30,000-home “mini-city” proposal.

That reassurance is welcome.

But the broader issue remains: Bankstown Airport must remain aviation-first.

Bankstown is Sydney’s primary general aviation airport, a major flight training hub, and a critical part of the Sydney Basin aviation network. It supports emergency and aeromedical operations, aircraft maintenance, charter, aviation small businesses and Australia’s future aviation workforce.

RFACA supports investment that strengthens the airport’s role, including better hangars, maintenance capability, training infrastructure, emergency service facilities and improved public transport access.

But airport land should be protected first and foremost for aviation and aviation-supporting uses.

The test should not be whether development can be squeezed onto airport land. The test should be whether it strengthens the airport’s aviation role.

If it does not support aviation, it should not be on aviation land.

The next Bankstown Airport Master Plan will be critical.

Swipe through for a summary of the key points from the article and you can find the full feature here - https://australianaviation.com.au/2026/05/bankstown-airport-operator-scotches-redevelopment-rumours/

19/05/2026

The Budget this month pledged $66.5 million over four years from 2026–27 to “support [CASA] to continue its critical safety and regulatory functions”, and noted that “annual VH aircraft registrations [will] be introduced to improve regulatory compliance and safety outcomes”.

19/05/2026

Bankstown Airport is not surplus land.

The Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia is deeply concerned by today’s Sydney Morning Herald report regarding a possible large-scale residential redevelopment concept for Bankstown Airport.

Bankstown is nationally significant aviation infrastructure. It supports flight training, emergency services, aeromedical operations, maintenance, charter, business aviation and the wider Sydney Basin aviation network.

Sydney needs more housing, but housing supply must not come at the cost of Australia’s aviation workforce pipeline, emergency response capability and sovereign aviation infrastructure.

Western Sydney International Airport is not a like-for-like replacement for Bankstown’s general aviation, training, maintenance and emergency service functions. These operations have specific requirements and form part of an established aviation ecosystem that cannot simply be relocated.

RFACA welcomes the Federal Government’s reported recognition that Bankstown Airport continues to play an important role in light aircraft movements, air ambulance services and pilot training, and that the current airport master plan does not permit residential redevelopment.

We have commenced urgent enquiries with relevant stakeholders and will be seeking clarity from the airport lessee, the Commonwealth Government and NSW representatives.

Any proposal affecting Bankstown Airport’s aviation function must involve full consultation with airport users, flight training organisations, emergency service operators, maintenance providers, charter operators and the broader aviation industry.

Bankstown Airport’s future cannot be determined through property-led planning without the aviation sector at the table.

Some senior figures in the NSW government are aware of and actively supporting the idea, as the government looks for options for more housing density after its plan to convert the Rosehill Racecourse to a mini-city of 25,000 homes was scuttled by Australian Turf Club members last year.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mr2cyxn8

14/05/2026

Another annual cost for VH aircraft owners? ✈️⚠️

New reporting from Australian Flying confirms the Australian Government has decided to introduce an annual VH aircraft registration scheme from 1 July 2027.

RFACA President Lachlan Hyde said a recurring charge on every VH aircraft would be a significant policy shift and should not first come to industry’s attention through a brief line in a Budget paper.

RFACA has not endorsed an annual VH registration charge.

We are seeking urgent clarification on the safety rationale, cost-recovery model, proposed fee structure, administrative cost, consequences of non-renewal, and any concessions or exemptions for aero clubs, flying schools, heritage aircraft, restoration projects and low-utilisation private aircraft.

If this is genuinely about data integrity, the system must be simple, digital, low-cost and proportionate; not another unnecessary impost on aircraft owners, aero clubs, and flying schools.

Swipe through for a summary of the key points from the article and you can read the full story here: https://www.australianflying.com.au/latest/annual-vh-aircraft-registration-confirmed-for-2027