WELCOME TO THIS PAGE 

This page is to outline to potential members the process of joining, and the benefits of being apart of Australia's Best Aero Club.  The page is also information for our new Members (a handbook of you like on joining the Aero Club) - Welcome!

WHY SHOULD I BECOME A MEMBER?

Membership of the Redcliffe Aero Club offers many benefits.  Firstly, Redcliffe Aero Club has a proud history of training pilots to all licence levels now for 40 years (many of our past instructors and students, are today flying with major airlines around the world) - 

Our standards are high, and our rates encourage people to fly - After all we are a not for profit (NFP) flying organization.  A NFP company must use all its profits for its NFP purposes – in our case flying training, aircraft hire & charter, member facilities and activities, and community activities.  Hence our profits are returned to provide improved membership benefits i.e. the recent purchase of late model (brand new) aircraft, new simulators and facilities upgrades. 

For STUDENTS, you have the opportunity to train at some of the cheapest rates in South East Queensland in late model aircraft, while at the same time receiving what we believe is the highest quality of pilot training in south east Queensland - a very high standard of training by dedicated and professional full time instructors.

For PRIVATE HIRER'S, your membership entitles you to also fly at discounted rates charged by Tacho for private hire (on most aircraft), essentially meaning you don’t have to pay for taxiing time! We have a broad range of aircraft including a variety of high wing and low wing types which are all maintained to a high standard.  There is no distinction between private hire members (qualified pilots) and members undergoing training (student pilots), each are equally members with equal opportunity to have access to Club assets.  

MEMBERSHIP ADVANTAGES:

• The key advantage to joining is access to MEMBERS RATES (non members are required to pay an additional $20 per hour on aircraft & briefing rates)

• Dual Training available to Members only - to make a dual booking (beyond a Trial Introductory Flight) you need to be a current member of the Aero Club

• Tacho rates for private hire rather than being charged on VDO (applies to most aircraft)

• Where your flight test is conducted by our in-house testing officer, we do not charge additional testing fees for GFPT, PPL, CPL, NVFR tests - NB There may be occasions where an Independent Testing Officer is required.

• Private Hire our aircraft 24 hours a day for qualified and CFI approved private pilots

• Access to a comprehensive online E-Briefing System, saving you time and money, allowing you to better prepare for your flights (fee applies, access is for members only, undergoing a syllabus of training).

• Regular “Airchat” Newsletter

• Use of all facilities including bar, kitchen and barbeque

• Social activities organised on occasion throughout the year

• Air-conditioned briefing rooms with Power Point Briefings

• Computer access to NAIPS in Nav preparation area

• Large fleet of aircraft all with carnet fuel cards (varying types)

• Most aircraft are secured in hangars at night, offering greater protection and helping keep them in better condition

• Most of our instructor team are full time permanent pilots, offering Members stability of instruction and a committed professional team 

• The Aero Club also has a very strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance. 

IDEAL ENVIRONMENT AND LOCATION:

• No landing fees!  (did you know Archerfield based training organizations will charge your around $24 per landing in addition to their hourly rates - can you imagine how many landings you will do over your training).  

• Sealed runway with night lighting.

• Training area on doorstep – no time wasted transiting from aerodrome to training area.  

• Highly scenic flying – offering beautiful views of Redcliffe, Moreton Bay & Glasshouse Mountains Close to Brisbane, Maroochydore, Gold Coast, Amberley and Oakey Control Zones.

• Large clubhouse situated right on the airfield with an ideal view of activities in a relaxed environment.  

• A short taxi time means more time spent in the air – saving you money.  

• Close proximity to all the required instrument aids for instrument rating students - little flight time required to start using the aids in the air.

Note:

• As an existing member, you then pay a membership renewal fee of $88 per year due 1st July each year.  In the event a renewal fee is not paid before Aug 31st, the joining fee would then be payable as the membership entitlement is deemed to have lapsed.

• Pro-rata discounts do not apply for existing members if Membership is not renewed July 1st.

• Social Members: $27.50 per year with no joining fee.

• Membership fees are not refundable.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE AERO CLUB?

Download and return a completed membership application to the club with appropriate payment.  Your membership application will be processed at the next meeting of the Committee.  

Membership Form (Acrobat)

Aero Club Constitution (Acrobat)

Certificate IV Student Handbook (Acrobat)

You may assume that your application has been accepted by the Committee, unless you are formally advised otherwise in writing within two months of the application being made.  There is no further acknowledgement of membership acceptance (i.e. we don't send out Membership Cards etc as membership details are available to office staff electronically).

PAYMENT OF FLIGHTS

We do not offer a credit facility so all flights must be paid for upon return of the aircraft.  Some people choose to place advance funds into their account at the Aero Club and draw down of these 'prepaid' funds - this is typically for those who fly / train full time as a matter of convenience for the Member (i.e. our only requirement is full payment upon completion of each flight).  

For flights conducted after hours, we ask you to telephone the office at the start of the following day to finalise the after hours hire.  Should you book an aircraft for an extended hire period (e.g. 7 days hire or similar), we may request a deposit for the expected hours flown.  The aircraft hire rates are based on the Redcliffe fuel rate, should you require fuel elsewhere, you cover the difference in bowser rates.

REDCLIFFE AERO CLUB STRUCTURE - OVERVIEW

The Club is a company constituted under the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001.  The Club is a public company limited by guarantee.  Under the Club's constitution every Member is liable for up to $20 in the event of insolvency which is paid in full by you up-front as part of your $50 joining fee.  The Club is a Not-For-Profit (NFP) entity under the Income Tax Act.

Redcliffe Aero Club's Operating Purpose is to be:

• A social club for General Aviation (GA) owners, pilots, trainees and enthusiasts;

• An entity which promotes general aviation and flying in the wider Moreton Bay community;

• A professional training organisation for members only;

• A provider of aircraft hire and charter services to members and the general public; and

• A not-for-profit entity which ensures the overall benefits accruing to the Club are utilised for and in the best interests of the membership and the community.

TRAINING, HIRE & CHARTER	SOCIAL &         COMMUNITY           ACTIVITIES
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (Not for Profit)

 

Principal Objective:

• The principal objective of the Club is to maintain and enhance the operating capacity necessary to fulfil its operating purpose.  

• The major components of this operating capacity are

  • Appropriately skilled staff

  • Aircraft, and

  • Aerodrome facilities - Club, Council, and related business activities

Given the size of our operation, the Club follows best practice management in that the Committee appointed full time  Chief Executive Officer runs the aviation and business side of the Club, and is a key adviser to the Committee on the social and community side. 

The Committee sets the annual objectives for the Club including the financial and other delegations of the CEO.  At each monthly committee meeting a review is conducted of the financial and other objectives as reported by the CEO.  

Once each year (usually in November) the Aero Club hold's an Annual General Meeting (AGM).  Notification of this AGM is provided by a posted written letter to each financial Member at that time and propagated on our website in compliance with ASIC requirements.  

Minutes of monthly committee meetings are not available as speculative discussions about current and future commercial issues are often discussed in confidence.  Similarly the Aero Club - Business Plan, Capital Plans, Human Resource Management Plan, Remuneration Policy, Business Management Manual have been developed, but are not publicly available due to their commercial in confidence nature.  At the AGM both the President and Treasurer present their own reports on the previous year's operations, as well as the audited Annual Financial reports.  The meeting is open to questions from the attending Members.  Members are of course also most welcome to discuss ideas and questions at any time with the CEO or Committee personnel.  Member input is often encouraged through the website and the Club Airchat magazine, particularly on core issues. 

Member input is always welcome / encouraged and is most easily directed via email (feedback@redcliffeaeroclub.com.au).

COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS

General contact information is available through our staff and contact page.  The core means of communication with members is through two means:

• 1. The Website -

  • http://www.redcliffeaeroclub.com.au  

  • The website is prepared on a voluntary basis 

  • The opening page details upcoming events and important dates 

  • The opening page details latest news information

  • Visit the site regularly as the best means of keeping yourself updated on the latest information 

  • The website is updated often on a weekly basis

      

• 2. The Club Magazine - 

  • "The AIRCHAT"

  • A Club magazine prepared by voluntary club Members, 

  • This magazine is distributed as frequently as the time of volunteers permits (the aim is quarterly distribution)

  • The latest magazine is available on the website for download (colour version)

  • The magazine is posted (black and white) to the address recorded in the Membership electronic file

Under Development

 

We are currently developing additional, electronic communication means including -

• Email updates

• Yahoo groups

• Message boards

SOME GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING COMMUNICATION TO NEW MEMBERS:

The below provides some information to new Members on our house keeping and day to day procedures.  Often the house keeping is "ad hoc silly things", none the less, items of knowledge that is nice to know:

• Fuel - Please return aircraft with sufficient fuel for a 1hr flight for the next person.

  • C152 This means return with not less than 50 Ltrs

  • C172 This means return with  not less than 80 Ltrs

  • Before filling an aircraft to full tanks (when returning) please check with operations personnel in case the next flight is weight limited.

• Pitot Covers & Control Locks - Please ensure these are fitted after every flight.  During certain times of the year we have insects building nests in pitot tubes within a few minutes of being uncovered.

• Aircraft Parking -Please park aircraft only in RAC allocated parking bays (#4, #5, #13, #14, #15).  Other bays are leased by other owners.  Please use limited power when parking, it's often best to park outside a bay and then hand push the aircraft into position.

• Hangar Use - Should you need an aircraft that is located inside a hangar, please ask an Instructor to assist moving the aircraft out of the hangar (excl VH-FRF).  Members are asked not be move aircraft into or out of hangars due to previous wing tip damage on hangar doors (excl VH-FRF).  

• Sign Out - Each flight needs to be signed out by you and also authorised by RAC Operational personnel.  By signing out you accept the terms and conditions of hire and to cover up to the insurance excess for that aircraft in the event of any damage or accident.

• Tea / Coffee / Washing Up - Members have access to complimentary tea and coffee (the instant coffee).  Members Guests require a gold coin donation.  The good quality coffee machine has a small charge for everyone (replenishment).  

• Bar - Please ask at the operations desk should you like a Beer or soft drink.

• Headsets - Headsets are available for students at no charge.  Private hire users are able to hire headsets at a small charge (for maintenance and replacement) when available.

• Cancellation Fees - Please make any necessary cancellation with more than 24Hrs notice, this allows us to reallocate aircraft and/or instructors.  A fee applies for cancellations within 24 Hrs as the Aero Club needs to cover the cost of the instructor / aircraft for what you had booked.

• Life Jackets - Regularly serviced life jackets are available for hire for a small charge.  Members are reminded that life jackets are required in certain circumstances (i.e. they are likely to be required on Moreton Island scenic flights).  Limited quantities apply and alternative routes should be re-planned in the event that life jackets are not available when you request them.

• Opening Hours - Our operating hours are 7 days per week, 8am to 5pm.  By arrangement with Instructors, times outside the normal can be accommodated.  The Club generally is only closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

• After Hours Aircraft Private Hire - For those pilots who are endorsed for NVFR / IFR, you are able to hire aircraft outside normal business hours.  This needs to be prearranged 24 hrs in advance with the office and requires you to be individually approved by the Chief Pilot (just a check of qualifications, recency requirements knowledge etc).  Aircraft needed for after hours private hire will be left locked on the flight line.  Access to the aircraft folder (keys) etc will be through the personnel hangar door (push button access code available from Operations Staff) - Please return the aircraft to the flight line (leave it locked on the line and return the keys and folder to the hangar).  Please contact the office the following morning no later than 10am for payment of your flight.

• Recency - It is a requirement of our Club insurance policy that a Member has flown "with the Redcliffe Aero Club" within the last 90 days before we can private hire an aircraft to you.  After 90 days a quick dual check is required for insurance recency.

• Specific Aerodrome Checks - Tangalooma (YTGA), Dunwich (YDUN) and other similar sand or short type aerodromes will require a specific dual check flight before being permitted to land a Club aircraft at that destination.

• Flight Office - RAC has introduced 'Flight Office".  Flight Office is an electronic booking and aircraft management system.  Gone, are the old paper booking sheets.  You now have the ability to "view" aircraft availability on line.  Actual bookings will still need to be done with the Club, but now you can see the availability of aircraft, and your own existing bookings using Internet Explorer.  If you are a current Member and would like a user name and password for Flight Office click below.                  |  APPLY HERE  |  GENERAL HELP FILE  |  INSTALL HELP FILE  |  LOGIN  |

• E-Brief - is the on-line information centre for students working through GFPT, PPL, CPL, NVFR or MECIR.  Due to the time in keeping this system up to date there is a cost associate with using e-brief.  Please Email Here for a Password once issued an invoice number

...ENJOY FLYING WITH US...