Gympie Airfield at Kybong will open the gates to an Aviation Open Day and Static Display of warbirds, helicopters, fixed wing, gliders, parachute drops, plus the jeeps of the Qld Military Jeep Club on Saturday 11 March from 10am to 2pm. Everyone is invited to come and share the excitement. Enjoy sausage sizzles, pizzas, coffee and juice vans or bring your picnic.
Hosted by the Gympie Aero Club and the Qld Division of the Military Historical Society of Australia (MHSAQ), local people can go for a joy flight in a helicopter, adventure flights in a warbird, aerobatic flight in specially designed aircraft, introductory flights with one of the flying schools and jeep rides around the airfield. Talk to the flying schools about learning to fly, or advanced courses if you can already fly. Or sit and just watch and enjoy the spectacle.
There may also be a RAAF Officer to talk about the aircraft and roles of our modern air force, with photos and a fly-by of RAAF aircraft (subject to operational and training tasking). Aero clubs from around the region have been invited to fly in and share the day. Come early and see them landing and taxiing around the field and see how they are guided to avoid bumping into one another.
This is a grand opportunity to see dazzling displays as these magnificent young men in their flying machines, and some ladies, as they scoot around. See for yourself how easy it is to fly and how you can engage in the amazing views seen from our skies and the joy of ‘being up there’. You can walk through the rows of planes and talk with the pilots to discover their passion and thrills of flying. You can ‘go up’ with them and see for yourself just why flying is addictive. While the warbirds are scenes from the past, they are full of history and stories of past exploits and modern thrills. And see how the skilled parachutists can land ‘on a coin’ with their skill and daring drops.
In the aero club hangar, the RAAF officer will (tasking permitting) enthral you with slides of our modern aircraft and explain how our modern air force fits into the global stage of warfare and humanitarian aid after natural disasters. And for a stroll into history, you can see the old jeeps and take up a passenger seat for a trip around the airfield.
The Gympie Aero Club is the hub of flying in our Region and offers facilities and hospitality to all the users of the airfield. The club is expanding its services as Gympie is fast becoming a ‘destination of choice’ with changes to the runway at Maroochy and skies clear of controlled airspace that hinder Maroochy, Caloundra, Caboolture, Redcliffe and proximity to Maryborough and Hervey Bay. The MHSAQ is our national body that researches, publishes and presents on matters of our military history and how that fits into our national pride and history.
Naturally, you will want to go home with all the bits you arrived with. Please stay in the areas designated and guided by Marshalls to ensure your safety and pleasure of the displays and foods to keep you nourished.
Mark your diaries for Saturday 11 March and see the planes landing from 9am while the main displays start at 10am. Bring some family and friends and make an ‘aviation day’ to remember for years to come – and maybe start new adventures in your own life. Or simply seize the day and see what aviators do for fun.
For information contact: (Aero Club) Neil Dearberg 0412 017715 or Robert Golden 0407 103606 or (MHSAQ) Russell Paten 0427 207307 or Ian Curtis 0437 303969.
