AOPA Australia announced this week that plans were underway to stage a repeat of the classic 1976 Australian Air Race.
The air race took place from 20-24 October 1976, and ran from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide and Melbourne. AOPA, with support from SkyFuel and new owners Viva Energy, will stage their race beginning on the same date next year.
According to AOPA CEO Ben Morgan, the idea grew from the desire to work on something exciting and positive for the Australian GA community.
"From an AOPA perspective, we work on such dry stuff, and it's not alway inspiring to hear AOPA just talking about medical reforms and the rest ot it. We understand that," he told Australian Flying.
"We've spent years focusing on issues that impact general aviation like getting the Cessna SIDs repealed, pushing for Part 43 implementation and independent flying instructors and, of course, our headline advocacy around medical reform,"
"We've very much wanted an opportunity to work on something that is more related to the fun and excitement of the industry."
Morgan understands the enormity of the task AOPA has committed itself to, but is determined to stage an event to rival the original.
"We've pulled together a management committee, we've got a holding website up already and working away on race particulars," he said. "We've got a member who's father kept everything from the race, including the handicapping, so we've got all that to work from.
"This is a great way to get the message out there that AOPA cares about aviation and we also enjoy having fun ourselves."
Morgan makes it clear that the 2024 air race is definitely designed to be a one-time thing only.
"I don't think there's an appetite for this to be an ongoing thing. It will be organised once, and Rob Mangan from SkyFuel and I recognise that we need to organise this as a fun party for five days, and encourage everyone to put the politics behind them and come and fly.
"We're reaching out to everyone."
The original air race was sponsored by tobacco giant Benson and Hedges and attracted 135 entries including two Grumman S-2 Trackers from the Royal Australian Navy, and a Pilatus Porter and Bell 206 from the Australian Army. The fleet was flagged away from Jandakot by aviation legend Sir Douglas Bader.
Melbourne pilot Ern Shannahanwon the race flying a Piper Comanche, with navigator Jim O'Toole, sponsor Lew Wade and spotter, Mrs Jack Grey. Second went to an Aerostar 600 piloted by W Campbell, and the RAN took last spot on the podium with a Grumman S-2E flown by JW Dalgliesh.
Reports say that around 10,000 people flocked to Bankstown to witness the end of the race at about 3.22 pm on Sunday 24 October.
It was such a national event that the start was telecast live on TV. Air crews were presented with a unique challenge on the second last day when they had to contend with a total eclipse of the sun that struck Melbourne on 23 October that year.
Route of the 1976 Australian Air Race
- Jandakot
- Hyden
- Norseman
- Caiguna
- Loongana
- Forrest
- Nullarbor Homestead
- Ceduna
- Port Augusta
- Adelaide
- Cambrai
- Tintinara
- Naracoorte
- Warrnambool
- Apollo Bay
- Melbourne
- Frederick HIll
- Tocumwal
- Narrandera
- Parkes
- Bathurst
- Sydney (Bankstown)