RVAC Dawn Patrol 2010

On Sunday September 12 the Royal Victorian Aero Club commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain by hosting the 31st running of the Royal Victorian Aero Club’s “Dawn Patrol”.

At first light, up to 60 aircraft of various types will depart Moorabbin Airport in stream formation at approximately 20-second intervals. The planned route takes the aircraft over the Shrine of Remembrance, Westgate Bridge, Point Cook Aerodrome (the birthplace of the RAAF) and Avalon Airport, returning to Moorabbin Airport via Port Phillip Heads.

The Royal Victorian Aero Club, “Royal Vic” (RVAC) as it is affectionately known, has hosted the “Dawn Patrol” annually since its inception in 1980. It was the brainchild of Dr Paul Matthews, himself a pilot and club member, who gathered together a number of “Royal Vic” pilots to fly over the Shrine of Remembrance to pay tribute to fallen aviators. Since that first dawn flight the “Dawn Patrol” has continued to grow in popularity and is now an important event on the Club’s calendar.

The “Dawn Patrol Memorial Fly-Past” is held on the Sunday morning closest to 15th September, the anniversary of the zenith of one of the greatest aerial battles of our time, the “Battle of Britain”, which occurred during the Summer of 1940. Whilst the event commemorates the “Battle of Britain”, it has become a Memorial Flight for all aviators who have made the “Supreme Sacrifice” in all theatres of war.

Following the flight a traditional cooked breakfast is held in the RVAC Maintenance Hangar, where a military aviation veteran will recount tales of his war-time experiences and pay tribute to his fallen comrades. The aviation community will then be treated to a visit and display by various aircraft and other items of interest in front of the Club’s facilities.

The Club’s committee members, organisers and participants welcome visitors to the club and encourage opportunities to promote this unique event to the wider community.