Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia - RFACA

21/10/2026

As reported by The Australian, the regulator has released results from the survey about the proposed fee, to be implemented from July next year, but only surveyed potential implementation methods and did not ask pilots about whether the fee should be imposed at all.

07/10/2026

The CASA Wings Awards celebrate the achievements of exceptional individuals and organisations in the general aviation community. The awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the people and companies that go above and beyond to make general aviation better for all. Nominating only takes a few min...

22/09/2026

Congratulations to Brigitta Cox, recipient of the 2026 RFACA Flight Instructor Rating Scholarship sponsored by Airservices Australia ✈️

RFACA President Lachlan Hyde was pleased to present Brigitta with her scholarship at the Royal Victorian Aero Club's Dawn Patrol Breakfast at Moorabbin Airport.

Brigitta has been an active member of the RVAC community, competing in the Victorian Light Aircraft Championships and representing Victoria at the Australian Light Aircraft Championships. Having recently achieved her Commercial Pilot Licence, she is now taking the next step towards becoming a flight instructor.

We’re extremely grateful to Airservices Australia for its continued support of the RFACA Learn to Fly scholarship program and investment in the next generation of Australian aviators.

Congratulations Brigitta, we look forward to following the next stage of your flying journey 🙌🏻

16/09/2026

The Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia (RFACA) has called on the Australian Government and CASA to reconsider the need for a new annual VH aircraft registration levy, after CASA’s own consultation found widespread concern about the cost, necessity and design of the proposed scheme.

CASA received 718 submissions to its consultation on annual VH aircraft registration, 20% of them lodged on behalf of organisations.

https://www.australianflying.com.au/latest/aviation-sector-challenges-case-for-annual-aircraft-registration-levy

14/09/2026

A great day in Ballarat yesterday bringing Victorian aero clubs together to talk about the future of grassroots aviation ✈️

RFACA President Lachlan Hyde joined representatives from aero clubs across Victoria at the inaugural Victorian Aero Clubs Summit hosted by Ballarat Aero Club.

Lachlan spoke about attracting and retaining the next generation, drawing on lessons from rebuilding the Royal Aero Club of NSW and one simple idea that became a recurring theme throughout the day:

The flight gets them excited. The friendships make them stay.

The discussion went well beyond youth engagement. Clubs shared many of the same challenges around volunteer capacity, participation, costs, events, and the amount of work being duplicated across individual organisations.

One of the strongest themes was the value of working together: sharing ideas, resources, experience, and capability rather than every club having to solve the same problems on its own.

Thank you to Steve Hitchen, Ballarat Aero Club and everyone who travelled from across Victoria to contribute to such a constructive day 🙌🏻

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