HISTORY OF
TEMORA AERO CLUB
The Temora Aero Club was formed in 1946 after the closure
of the
No.10 EFTS, RAAF establishment after world war two was
successfully
concluded. A group of mainly RAAF pilots who had trained at
the
No.10 Unit at Temora and had gone on to fly Spitfires and
other
sophisticated aircraft during their wartime service, plus a
few other
locals anxious to learn to fly the great skyways, embarked
on the
formation of the club.
A public meeting was convened by Mr W J
Porter at the Temora
Council Chambers on 9th September 1946 to gauge the
interest
in forming an aero club. Those attending were, W.J. Porter,
L.C.
Littler, 0, Donaldson, H. McMasters,
J. Coleman, H. Barbey,
H. Nicholson, R.H. Webster, C.J. Wellingham, J.
Farrell.
T. Cummings, A Bradley, Dr. Parry and a Mr Thomas. The
meeting
obviously created the necessary interest and on the motion
of
R.H. Webster, supported by H. McMasters it was decided
that the
Temora Aero Club be formed, in association with the
Australian Aero Club.
After some discussion, following the decision to form a
club, it was
decided that two Tiger Moth aircraft be purchased. (Tiger
Moths were
fairly inexpensive to acquire during this period.)
At a following meeting on 7th October 1946 an election of
officers took
place and resulted in Dr. Parry becoming Patron, President
W.J. Porter,
Secretary, R.H. Webster and T. Cummings, Treasurer. Annual
membership was set at two guineas. for flying members and
one
guinea for non flying with half a guinea for ladies.
The two Tiger Moth aircraft were tested at Temora for air
worthiness
for 3 pounds ($6) and certificates of air worthiness were
issued at a
cost of one hundred and thirty pounds ($260) by Marshalls
Airways,
Sydney.
The registration number of the Club's first Tiger Moth was
VH-AIL. The flying instructor with the Club up to 1950 was
A. Hayes,
with H. Nicholson as assistant.
The Bellman Hangar, with attached copper working shop, was
the
only one of the six hangars left at the airfield and
allocated for the use
of the Aero Club. Since then the Copper shop has been
extensively
upgraded to form very comfortable clubrooms, as well as an
upstairs
lounge and observation deck.
A number of Aero Club members have become involved in
homebuilt
aircraft construction and include Rodney Lovering, Robert
Maslin,
Simon Pike, Sam & Carol Richards and Greg & Ingrid
Wootton.
Peter Carlson set up a glider construction and service
facility some
years ago. A large number of owner-pilots have their
aircraft
hangared at the airport with many of them having their own
hangars.
David Lowy was a member of the Temora Aero Club when he was
doing his aerobatic training leading up to his success in
becoming
Australian Aerobatic Champion in 1998, prior to his
establishment
of the Temora Aviation Museum.
The Temora Aero Club Limited has evolved into a thriving
association
with around 250 members, a large number commuting to Temora
from
other areas, including Canberra and Sydney, some having
their own
aircraft hangared, more or less permanently at the airport.
The Aero
Club has established a caravan park adjacent to the airport
that,
generally, is used by members who spend a fair amount of
time at
Temora. The club operates the refuelling outlet, and is
licensed,
with bar and catering facilities.
The club encompasses many types of aviation activities,
which includes,
general aviation, ultralight aircraft, gliding and flying
training. Gliding is
very popular during the summer months and State and
National gliding
competitions are regularly held. Aerobatic state titles are
held each
October long weekend and occasionally balloon flights are
carried
out from the airfield, by some Club members..
Other activities throughout the year include specific
fly-ins by aviation
organizations, such as the Sports Aircraft Association of
Australia,
and Antique Aircraft Association of Australia, just to
mention a few.
The future for the Aero Club looks very promising, with
unprecedented growth occurring at the airport that could
see a
major upgrading of the Club in coming years