History

The Beginning

The Sydney Recreational Flying Club was formed in 1985 formed by 6 members one of whom held AUF member number 001, Bill Dinsmore.

After meeting in the back patio of a house the first meeting was held to form Sydney's first flying club named Sydney Ultralight Flying Club.

Originally was based at Wilton Airfield near Picton, NSW and an aircraft purchased using member funds and a bank loan the club was formed.

Where & what to fly?

Forming SUFC was the easy part, Now The first committee had to find an airfield to fly at but more importantly an aircraft to fly.

The members looked long and hard and originally decided to base themselves at Wilton airfield, near Picton NSW. One of the founding members and first CFI Carl Holdern was tasked to find SUFC first training club aircraft. With only 2 certified aircraft on the market (Thruster & Hughes Lightwing) Carl flew both of them and reported the Lightwing won hands down.

The 2 stroke Lightwing days.

In 1986 the club purchased one of the very first production Hughes Lightwings from Ballina based aircraft designer and builder 'Howard Hughes'. All the membrs put in some money and got a guarantor to borrow the rest. To save even more money, four members went to the factory at Ballina to assit in completeing the aircraft. Before long, Wilton airfield (Primarily used as a Sky diving Strip) became increasingly difficult to conduct flight training from due to all the meat bags falling from the sky. A search was undertaken for a new Airfield

The Oaks Airfield

After searching long and hard, The Club found a new airfield to train from, The Oaks Airfield.

The Oaks airfield begun operations in 1942 as a RAAF Satellite airfield for nearby Camden during WWII. After the war it was returned to its farm land owners then on sold to Jack Davis and Graham Onus, whom granted SRFC to use the airfield for the clubs new home.

Our 2nd Lightwing

Before long the club was busy providing Abnito Training... With the club aircraft booked out weekend after weekend by 1992 the decision was made to find another Lightwing.

It was prefect timing when Ros Skinner's 582 Lightwing came onto the market after her Bass strait-Return Crossing. Another Loan later we became a two aeroplane club.

4 Stroke time

After some Mishaps with some Engine problems from the early 582 two stroke days, a decision was made to upgrade Lightwing 0158 by the factory to install a Rotax 912 four stroke Engine.

The Rotax 912S was installed and all of our engines problems started going away. Maintenance costs reduced, Fuel bills slowed and the club went on.

Lightwing 0081 End of an Era

After 30 years, 4500hrs and 4 rebuilds and countless engine the clubs first aircraft Lightwing 0081 was put up for sale following rising insurance cost we were unable to provide training in a two stroke aircraft.

Before long a gentleman from western NSW came out for a look at the club and good old 81. The new owner became an active member of the club undertook his training in the lightwing. He is still an active member today and still brings Good old 81 for visits.


One door closes, another opens

After selling good old 81 the club changed direction. Club President Joe put forward an idea in 2008 to look for a new Abnito Trainer, Perhaps a modern Tricycle aircraft. CFI Greg was introduced to the Foxbat while on a work trip. He reported it was a delight to handle with an excellent flight envelope to provide flight training.

A keep whip around from members we order and took Delivery of our First A22L Foxbat 24:5356.

Our Foxbats

The Foxbat Era had begun. Booked out for over a month in advanced we were flatout. The club was growing rapidly, so rapidly we had to find another Foxbat.

In 2012 we purchased a 2nd hand Foxbat 24:4422. After some Maintenance work and repairs the club had two A22L Foxbats online for training. 24:5356 was used for Navigation exercises and member flying, while 24:4422 was used for all Abnito training.

Sydney Recreational Flying Club - Today

Now the club owns 3 aircraft, 2 Foxbats and 1 Lightwing. All solely owned by the club we countine to grow. In 2017 the club purchased its first brand new A22LS Foxbat. An upgrade from the A22L Model proves to be liked by all members.