Narromine will host the prestigious Australian Aerobatic and Freestyle Championships in early October, cementing the town’s reputation as a premier location for competition aerobatics.

The president of the Australian Aerobatic Club (AAC), Peter Townsend, made the announcement on May 18 as the NSW Aerobatic Championships got underway at the Narromine Aerodrome.  

Up to 30 competitors are expected to take to the skies in the national championships in early October, with aviators keen to contest the event after two years of disrupted competition.  

“We’re hoping for a reasonably big turnout as the last two national championships were cancelled due to COVID and the weather,” Mr Townsend said.  

“People are fairly well primed to come and have some fun!” 

Mr Townsend said that there were 17 entries competing in the NSW Aerobatic Championships in Narromine this week, which was a good turnout. 

“It’s really good to see. Normally we’re around the 10-15 mark, but I think people just want to get out and fly.” 

One of the reasons why Narromine was considered the perfect location for the nationals was its prime location mid-way between Victoria and Queensland, Mr Townsend said. Many competitors will come from those states, making travel easier. 

“Narromine’s right in the middle – perfect. These aircraft are very fuel-limited and you’ve got to do multiple stops to get here,” Mr Townsend said. 

ABOVE: Narromine Shire Mayor, Cr Craig Davies with competitor Steve Robinson and AAC president, Peter Townsend at Narromine Aerodrome on May 18. 

Other factors in Narromine’s favour to stage the event include the uncongested local airspace, great facilities and tremendous support from the local aviation community and council, said NSW AAC Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, Ray Pearson. 

“We don’t have to stop and start [around commercial] airlines. There’s good weather, and we have great support from the council, the Narromine Aero Club and Narromine Gliding Club,” said Mr Pearson. 

Mr Townsend echoed these sentiments, stressing that the local support was instrumental to making these large-scale competitions successful.  

“The facilities here are amazing,” Mr Townsend said, acknowledging the particular support from council management, Beryl Hartley (gliding) and Stewart Hignett (aero) and their clubs in preparing for the state and national competitions. 

Narromine Shire Council will support the national championships through use of facilities and available hangarage and in other ways, said spokesperson Phil Johnston. 

ABOVE: Mayor Davies congratulates AAC president, Peter Townsend, at the announcement that the national aerobatic championships are coming to Narromine in October. 

“We’ve got good, well-maintained facilities and we’ll do what we can to support them. We have also been very proactive with the ‘fly neighbourly’ policy,” he said.  

‘Fly neighbourly’ is a voluntary aviation code of practice (and a council policy) that aims to reduce disturbance caused by aircraft in particular areas. The council manages use of the aerodrome for competition purposes through this policy, with all activity well planned and managed. 

The nationals will be held from October 4-8 but it is expected that competitors and their supporters will start arriving in Narromine from October 2 to practice ahead of the event, Mr Townsend said. 

Following straight on from the Dolly Festival and Mungery Picnic Races which will occur over the preceding long weekend, the national aerobatic championships will provide extra reasons for visitors to stay on and enjoy yet another spectacular aviation event in the Narromine shire.