INTRODUCTION

The RAAF Amberley Flying Club or RAFC, as it is better known to its members, was formed over twenty years ago by a group of Air Force personnel who shared a common interest in recreational flying. By recreational flying we mean non military flying, because it is possible to be a full time serving member in the RAAF, in a non aircrew role and still fly in your spare time. The majority of our members are just these types of people, and every one of them enjoys their flying time as much as an operational Air Force pilot does.

The club's membership is divided into the following three groups:

  1. Full Members consisting of:
    1. members of the ADF posted to or living on RAAF Base Amberley including dependants;
    2. defence civilians posted to RAAF Base Amberley including dependants; and
    3. members of overseas forces serving at RAAF Base Amberley.
  2. Affiliate Members consisting of:
    1. ex RAAF members residing in the immediate area;
    2. members of the RAN/ARA posted to a nearby Defence Establishment; and
    3. members of the Air Training Corps.
  3. Honorary Members consisting of:
    1. dependants of Defence Contractor Employees working at RAAF Base Amberley; and
    2. persons, who with the approval of the Base Commander and Committee are deemed to provide a significant contribution to the Club.

If you feel that you fit one of these three categories and wish to become a member, print off membership form (available from the menu system) and forward it to:

The Secretary

RAAF Amberley Flying Club

PO Box 21

Amberley

4306

or pass it directly to a committee member if you know them. The secretary will notify you of the outcome of your application. This may take up to one month depending on committee member availability as the committee must vote on the application's acceptance. Typically this is done at the committee monthly meetings.

Once your membership has been accepted the secretary will provide you with the Username and password for accessing the club aircraft booking system and all other necessary information. Your email address will be added to the club distribution list to receive Situation Reports and other information as necessary from time to time. You can elect to pay your membership fees immediately however it is acceptable for the Club Fees to be paid with the first instruction/flight. On payment of the membership fees the Secretary will forward the member(s) details to the RAAF Amberley Base Customer Support Centre. If you do not have a military/Defence APS ID you will need to be issued a photo Base ID Pass from the RAAF Amberley Base Customer Service Centre. You need to book an appointment by phoning on 07 5461 4530 and advise them that you are a financial member of the RAAF Amberley Flying Club. You will need to bring photo ID with you and to book about a week in advance to be issued an access pass. Their hours of operation for pass issues are Mon - Thurs 0800 - 1130 and 1300 - 1545; and Fri 0900 - 1200. They will check your name against the list of financial members. This pass allows the member access RAFC clubhouse area only and to sign in immediate family members.

The initial membership fee is $70.00 ($20 Joining Fee and $50 Membership Fee) for a single member while the initial family membership fee is set at $95.00 ($20 Joining Fee and $75 Membership Fee). The membership year runs from 01 July to 30 June. Subsequent annual membership fees are:

Club Fees can be paid either by:

  1. mailing them to the Secretary,
  2. placing it in the club house payment tin along with a piece of paper identifying yourself, or
  3. Electronic Banking to the following account:

The club aims to provide the opportunity for members to undertake flying at reduced costs and share the vast experiences of club members at club training nights and social functions. Members will be notified of upcoming trianing nights and social functions by email in the first instance or by other means such as telephone where the member does not have access to email.

The RAFC operates out of RAAF Base Amberley every weekend and after hours during the week by arrangement. We fly General Aviation, single engine aircraft. At present the club has four aircraft consisting of a Piper Tomahawk (PA38) two seat trainer, Two Cessna 172 four-seat aircraft, and a Cessna 177 RG aircraft. For further detail on these aircraft, including hire rates, select the aircraft of interest from the menu.

The club's Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), Peter Boughen, began his aviation career as a student with Arena Aviation where he progressed through to a Flying Instructor. Peter then moved to Qantas where he became the youngest Qantas Jet captain at 27 years and 10 months. The previous youngest Captain was 29 years of age. Rounding out Peter’s Airline career was a stint as the Chief Pilot for Jet Star Asia.

Supporting Peter we have a supervising Grade 1 instructor, Ray Seville, and a number of Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs). Whether you are a first time flyer or wishing to resurrect a lapsed training program the instructors are keen to pass their knowledge on to you.

If you want to start flying but have no previous experience, we recommend a Trial Instructional Flight (TIF) where you will experience the thrill of flying first hand. The TIF involves flying with one of our QFIs who will demonstrate the various aspects of flying and answer any questions you have. You do not have to be a Club Member to undertake a TIF but you will need to fill the eligable requirements for membership.

To book a flight with one of our instructors, select an instructor from the menu system and contact them to determine their availability. Once that has been determined you can book an aircraft through the aircraft booking system (see the menu). If you have difficulty contacting the instructors on the numbers provided you can send them an email by clicking on the desired instructor's name. Your e-mail application will open with the instructor's e-mail address already added. Please ensure that you provide the following information:

  1. Full Name,
  2. Contact Phone number, and
  3. Times that you will/won't be available for contact,

The instructor will contact you as soon as is possible and answer any questions you may have. If you continue to have difficulty, contact one of our committee members (also available on the menu system) for assistance.

Please browse the pages of this site via the menu system and hotlinks provided on each page.

Look forward to seeing you at the Club.