Sport Aircraft Association of Australia National Councillor Russell Ford today told Australian Flying that AusFly 2022 was a success despite inclement weather keeping some aviators grounded at home.
Ausfly was held at Narromine over the weekend under sunny skies, but poor weather on the Thursday kept many aviators at their home bases, particularly around Melbourne.
Estimates show that about 130 aeroplanes flew in across the two days, which the Ford believes was a good turn-out in view of the weather
"Despite the weather, it turned out an extremely successful event. The lead-up weather-wise was very ordinary, but by Friday it had cleared and we had really good days on Friday and Saturday. We got our full event program in, which was fantastic.
"There was keen interest in many of the seminars and the exhibition, which was really good.
"For the air show, the whole area in front of the gliding and aero clubs was packed out, which is a pretty good sign."
The event program called for a number of seminars over the Friday and Saturday mornings, with an air show for the AusFly attendees and the general public on the Saturday afternoon.
An exhibition including several LSA manufacturers filled the SAAA hangar and the apron for the duration of the two days, .
"The depth of the exhibitors was probably the highlight this year for me," Ford said. "There was such a diversity of people showing off their plane hardware, software programs, safety components ... there was all sorts there.
"For the kids, I think Matt Hall and Emma McDonald were the highlights of the show."
Air racer and aerobatic display pilot Matt Hall was the main drawcard for the show, putting on a flying displays and offering joyfights in his Mustang warbird.
In the air, the Screaming Diamonds, the Stooges and Gary Weeks' Lancair Legacy provided plenty of entertainment for the crowd.
Unfortunately, aerobatic Bonanza pilot Jock Folan had had to withdraw earlier in the week due to technical issues that plagued his aircraft.
The SAAA's Young Aviators Program, which involved presenting a student-built Van's RV12 for the first time, attracted 60 school students mainly from Narromine and Dubbo, which Ford said was a pleasing outcome.
Ford estimated that around 75% of those at the show were either SAAA members or people interested in building their own aircraft. The remainder were made up of GA and LSA flyers.
Ford said that the 2022 event gave the SAAA plenty of confidence to start planning for next year.
"The discussion will be around whether we changed it up a bit, look at other venues or incorporate other bodies. The basic underlying grass-roots event is important ... it comes together pretty well and brings people in."
AusFly is organised by the SAAA on the main part under the banner of the Australian General Aviation Alliance, which includes also AOPA Australia and the Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association (AMROBA).