Peter Hales – CFI of Busselton Aero Club is the winner of the CASA Wings Award – “Instructor of the Year – 2020”

Our Chief Flying Instructor, Peter Hales, wins the 2020 Australian Flying Magazine “2020 CASA Wings Award – Instructor of the Year “. Read all about it from the media articles below:

Wings Night – 30th October 2021

Forty members and guests attended our Wings Night 2021 at the Shelter last Saturday 30th October.

We celebrated the milestones achieved by many of our members in their flying training pursuits, from First Solo to Instructor levels. Congratulations to all.

Our Chief Flying Instructor was the MC and guest speaker was Des Hales, who provided an overview of his career as a RAAF pilot including impressive videos of some of his flying as part of the Roulettes flying team.

Calendar of Events

BUSSELTON AERO CLUB MEETING & EVENT SCHEDULE 2022/23

11 May 2023                       Committee Meeting    5.00PM

8 June 2023                         Committee Meeting    5.00PM

13 July 2023                        Committee Meeting    5.00PM

13 July 2023                       General Meeting        6.30PM

28 July 2023                       Wings Dinner     (details TBA)

10 August 2023                  Committee Meeting    5.00PM

27 August 2023                 AGM

2022 AGM – 28th August 2022

The 2022 Annual General Meeting was held at the Clubhouse on Sunday 28th August.

The retiring President, John Brisco, presented his report on the annual activities and achievements, which included: a Wings Dinner encompassing the piloting achievements occurring during and since COVID; the RAAF Centenary air display and function, including the bestowing of membership of the 79th Squadron to the Club; progress on finding a permanent home for the Wright Flyer replica built by Club members; and importantly, the success in achieving a 5 year extension to the lease for the Clubhouse.

The current status of plans and negotiations relating to the future home for the Club in the proposed GA precinct were also presented by Zeb Packard-Hair.

The Treasurer, Greg Miller ran through the incomes, expenses and overall financial status of the Club. Of particular note was the dependency of the Club’s finances on the flying hours achieved. Comparison with the previous year showed reduced flying hours due to the higher prevalence of bad weather and illnesses. Despite the difficulties the Club made an operating profit of over $20,000. The budget for the 2022-23 financial year was presented. The correlation between the flying hours of the Club’s aircraft and its financial status was reinforced by all the speakers, urging members to make more use of the Tecnam.

The CFI report was presented by Mike Jordaan, as Peter Hales was not able to attend. He reported on the Audit conducted by RAAus, which we passed successfully with some minor administrative tasks to be fine tuned. Overall flying hours (training, private hire and maintenance) and achievements made by students during the year were presented.

Voting for the Committee positions followed and resulted in the following:

President – Zebedee (Zeb) Packard-Hair

Vice President – Edgar Olyerhoek

Treasurer – Greg Miller

Secretary – Stephen (Steve) Pupilli

General Committee Members – John Brisco (retiring President), Gary Visser, Mike Jordaan, Max Meuller,

The proposal to increase the cost of memberships was approved as proposed ($100 for ordinary members, $25 for spouse or partners, and $25 for Junior members (under 15 years old.

The meeting was adjourned to nibbles and catch-ups at 3:00pm.