Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Australia

18/07/2026

CASA ANNUAL AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION FEES

09/07/2026

Attention Sydney pilots!

From today, 9 July, Sydney airspace has changed.

> New Class D airspace is now active around Bankstown Airport.
> VFR routes around Bankstown and Camden have changed.
> A new one-way VFR corridor now applies for departures to the southeast of Bankstown Airport.

Plan before you fly.

Find out more: https://civilaviation.au/sydney-airspace-changes

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

⚠️ Aviation Safety Alert!

Major Airspace Changes, East Coast Australia - 9 July 2026, 2:00am AEST (16:00Z)

The most significant low-level airspace restructure in decades takes effect tomorrow — across two separate regions simultaneously.

A unique high volume of complex airspace and procedural change at Bankstown (YSBK), Camden (YSCN) and Ballina (YBNA) presents increased risk of pilot overwhelm and subsequent loss of navigation and traffic situational awareness.

Pilots should thoroughly brief pre-flight with the relevant 9 July 2026 AIRAC ERSA, AIP Charts and Supplements before operating in or near these airports and regions.

Optional pilot situational-awareness risk offset during the transition period is available via 30 days free access to AvTraffic Premium — Traffic Awareness System (TAS) app for iPhone/iPad installed standalone or as enhanced traffic feed integrated with EFB of choice including TCAS-like Bluetooth audio traffic conflict alerting direct to your headset.

Above all, pilots in command are urged to maintain an enhanced heads-up, eyes-out visual lookout and a keen radio listening watch during the early transition period — and avoid extended heads-down map or EFB study while airborne.

Apple App Store - AvTraffic https://apps.apple.com/au/app/avtraffic/id1256899956

Avtraffic
https://avtraffic.com

Aerosense
https://aerosense.com

30/06/2026

CROOKWELL AERO CLUB, RE-LAUNCHED FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE!

It was an absolute pleasure to attend the re-launch of the Crookwell Aero Club this past Sunday 28th June.

“As the AOPA Australia representative on the day, I was incredibly proud to put the motion to the meeting, calling for the formation of a new not-for-profit incorporated association titled ‘Crookwell Aero Club’,

“The new Crookwell Aero Club lead by Scott Montgomery and the new Executive Committee are incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to the task of securing the future of Crookwell Airfield,

“AOPA Australia warmly welcomes the Crookwell Aero Club as a returning member after their multi-decade hiatus as a club!

“Crookwell Airfield has a long and valued history and has served our general aviation community for many decades, hosting aerial agriculture, private and recreational aviation, air pagents and fly-ins, hosted emergency services, air ambulance and aerial firefighting to name just a few,

“It was wonderful to see such strong attendance from local and regional aviators, along with local community members, all eager to see the airfield brought back to life.

“I’d encourage aviators nationwide to consider taking up a membership with the Crookwell Aero Club to help give them a much needed boost to their startup,

“Key to the success of both the Crookwell Aero Club and airfield will be utilisation and activity, AOPA Australia encourages aviators and organisations to connect with the new club and to organise a fly-in and visit.

“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to VIVA Energy Australia and SkyFuel for their commitment to support both the Crookwell Aero Club and airfield with aviation fuels moving forward. The life blood of any airfield and aviation community is access to aviation fuels and we value the partnership and support of these two great businesses,

“Many thanks must also go to Maxine Milera, CEO of Recreational Aviation Australia and Lachlan Hyde of the Royal Aero Club NSW for their attendance and support on the day. Both offering help and financial assistance to the newly formed Club. It was refreshing to see the industry peak-bodies and leadership standing together in support of stronger outcomes for general aviation.” Benjamin Morgan, Advocate for AOPA Australia

Image above: Ben Morgan, Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association of Australia, Andrew Weidemier, Rob Piggott, Zak Montgomery, Bill Lea, Barry Jackson, Austin Cummins, Scott Montgomery, Josie Draper, Imogen Montgomery, Lachlan Hyde, President and Chairman of the Royal Aero Club of NSW, and Maxine Milera, Recreational Aviation Australia.

NOT A MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
www.aopa.com.au/membership

AOPA Australia | Your Freedom to Fly

07/06/2026

A rare aviation-related property opportunity is now available at Main Ridge on the Mornington Peninsula, VIC.

This approx. 5-acre rural property includes an established helipad site with permit history, along with aviation-related infrastructure and lifestyle features.

For further details or enquiries, please contact:

Meg Pell
Kay & Burton Real Estate Agents, Red Hill
0403 161 105

Paid commercial listing. Interested parties should conduct their own due diligence regarding permits, operations and regulatory requirements.

PrivateAviation VictoriaAustralia AviationLifestyle

28/05/2026

Meet Doug Sprigg, an outback pilot who spends his days flying trave...

19/05/2026

LARGE AERIAL FIREFIGHTING TANKERS SIT GROUNDED, PENDING CASA APPROVALS. AUSTRALIA NEEDS AN EFFICIENT AND ACCOUNTABLE AVIATION SAFETY REGULATOR.

As reported by 7NEWS Sunshine Coast. McDermott Aviation Group have their new large air tankers in Australia ready to go, however they're grounded waiting on CASA approvals.

"Australia's aviation industry must be adaptable, competitive and profitable for it to prosper, this can only be achieved if it is supported by a national aviation safety regulator that is efficient and accountable,

"Aerial firefighting operators across Australia are vital to our nations security, they are at the front line protecting our native environments and wildlife, equally they're out there protecting lives and keeping communities safe,

"Australia must have access to class leading aerial firefighting equipment, which includes the use of large air tankers if we are to secure communities from the threats of wildfires nationwide,

"Companies such as McDermott Aviation Group and many others have heavily invested into Australia's aerial fire fighting capabilities, this investment must be matched by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority by ensuring unnecessary red-tape and delays are avoided and that approvals are fast-tracked." Benjamin Morgan, Advocate for AOPA Australia.

NOT A MEMBER? GET ONLINE AND JOIN TODAY!
AOPA Australia | Your Freedom to Fly
www.aopa.com.au/membership

14/05/2026

SIGN THE PETITION: GENERAL AVIATION CALL TO SCRAP ANNUAL AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION FEES

AOPA Australia is calling for action from every last person in the Australian aviation industry. Don't sit on your hands and do nothing. Take 5 minutes out of your day to sign the online petition and help send a clear an unequivocal message to scrap the re-introduction of annual aircraft registration fees.

AOPA Australia was called on to do the heavy lifting in the 1990's and successfully advocated for the removal of aircraft registration fees in exchange for a simple user-pay fuel levy. This levy has been in place for over 30 years, but now in 2026 the Civil Aviation Safety Authority wants to reach into the pockets of aircraft owners seeking to double-dip.

Stand with AOPA Australia and oppose this unnecessary double-taxation on aircraft registrations.

Feel free to comment your support below to help boost this post on Facebook!

NOT A MEMBER? GET ONLINE AND JOIN TODAY
AOPA Australia | Your Freedom to Fly

www.aopa.com.au/membership

General Aviation call to scrap Annual Aircraft Registration Fees

14/05/2026

Many thanks to One Nation for taking the opportunity to briefly highlight the 2026-27 Budget ‘cash-grab’ that will force new annual aircraft registrations on top of the existing Fuel Levy seeking to double dip from the aviation industry.