National general aviation fly-in Ausfly has returned to the Australian events calendar, and is scheduled for Narromine on 18-21 October this year.
Ausfly was first held in 2012, run largely by the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) with support from other associations. The event became OzKosh in 2016 and then Airventure last year, which was a more commercial operation.
With Airventure moving on to Cessnock in September this year, Ausfly will return to Narromine in October as an event run by the newly-formed Australian General Aviation Alliance (AGAA), a group founded by three aviation associations.
Spokesperson for the AGAA, AOPA Australia's Ben Morgan, said it was expected Ausfly would become the signature event for the alliance.
"I think it's fantastic that Ausfly is back on the calendar," he told Australian Flying. "What the AGAA partners determined is that we needed an event that was not-for-profit and something that we could cultivate over time. It's a way of each of the associations having direct participation year on year."
Morgan said that Ausfly would be operated as a not-for-profit event rather than a commerical venture, organised largely to benefit the general aviation community.
"What's great to see with Ausfly is that the industry associations that are involved have no expectation to make money from the event," Morgan said. "Everyone understands that in order to support the commerical aviation industry we can't be charging money, Invitations will be going out to manufacturers and so forth on the basis that we just welcome their participation.
"We want to create an event where the manufacturers are stakeholders just as much as the associations themselves. Our view is that we are stronger together. Ausfly will be all about aviators under one sky.
"We want to create an event that celebrates our membership and the successes of our organisation, and at the same time celebrate the memberships of the organisations that are part of our alliance. I believe that the path to do that is through total co-operation, and I think that's what Ausfly is trying to do."
Airventure moved to Cessnock earlier this year, citing location issues with Narromine, which is 30 kmh west of Dubbo in NSW. AGAA believes Narromine is still an ideal location, and is keen to continue the relationship with the local council, which has been a large supporter of Ausfly.
"Narromine Shire Council has made an enormous investment in Narromine Airport over several decades," Morgan said. "For years they've stumped-up support for the general aviation industry, and I think it's important that GA continues its commitment in Narromine
"AGAA believes that Narromine is a great location to hold an event in terms of its geographical position, being within easy reach of our members in Queensland and Victoria as well."
Unlike Airventure, OzKosh or previous Ausfly's, Ausfly 2018 will not feature a large air display, although it is thought the AOPA Freedom to Fly aerobatic formation team will make an appearance, and Matt Hall is also scheduled for a performance.
More information on Ausfly is on the Ausfly 2018 website.