Great club
- Leading OLC League club in Southern Hemisphere
- Largest club in Australia
- In our 82nd year of operations
- Friendly and supportive club atmosphere
- Welcoming and friendly social environment
- International Flavour with many Northern Hemisphere repeat visitors
- 7-days a week operations in Soaring season
- Weekend club operations year round
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Great Fleet
- 4 tugs for rapid launching – 3 Pawnees, 1 Scout, eTug (V8-powered Pawnee)
- 4 two-seaters for all forms of training – 2 new ASK21, a Twin Astir plus a Duo Discus for advanced soaring training
- four single-seaters: Junior, 2 x LS4, LS7
- Motorfalke for XC checks
- all club aircraft FLARM-equipped for improved safety
- 70+ private sailplanes based at Benalla
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Great facilities
- Large, safe airfield with separate glider & power runways (low power traffic levels)
- Lots of hangars including space to hire for short to medium term
- Good tie-down facilities
- Large, fully equipped club-house
- Broadband Internet access across clubhouse, Aero Park and Accommodation
- Auxiliary equipment for hire – parachutes, Volksloggers, etc
- Daily weather and tasking briefing using up to date weather data and leading edge soaring forecasting models adapted for our region offer the best task choices for the day
- All SPOT-equipped aircraft tracked in real time for improved safety
- Flight simulator for training and fun
- Fully staffed maintenance facilities with licensed on-site power and sailplane engineer
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Great flying
- Whether you are into local soaring, novice cross country, racing cross-country or touring, there will be others doing the same
- Comprehensive 9am daily briefing means you pick your best task (and team up with others doing the same) in plenty of time to get ready
- Real-time trigger temperature monitoring for picking when to launch
- Priority launching for the cross-country “great white fleet” at the appropriate time gets you airborne when you want
- Minimal airspace restrictions – none within 50km below 8,500′ and generally FL125 elsewhere
- Almost unrestricted choice of directions to fly
- Informal local IGC-based daily competition so you can see how good you are
- Aerotow paddock retrieves generally available most days
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Great weather
- Summer days typically 25-40 deg C with light winds and scattered cumulus
- November and December have more unstable weather
- January through March have typically drier and hotter days
- Far enough South to avoid sub-tropical weather and storms
- Far enough inland to avoid sea-breezes almost altogether
- Long daylight hours for extended tasks
- Visit our weather pages.
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Great terrain
- Benalla’s location is ideal for thermal soaring at whatever level of task you choose to do.
- Wide open plains to the north and west (elevations generally below 1,000; or 300m) and 10,000? (3,300m) days in the hot summer season provide opportunities for big distances over these very safe areas.
- To the east and south the mountains of the Great Divide give exhilarating flying with strong thermal and wave conditions starting only 25km away.
- Desert country to North-West and North (200+km).
- Learn more here.
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Great clubhouse and social atmosphere
- On-site catering during summer for affordable after-flying meals and socializing
- Inside dining and bar area for up to 110 people
- Large and fully stocked bar at club prices
- Attractive al fresco dining and social outdoor area
- Self-catering kitchen facilities
- Onsite accommodation for single and dual occupancy
- Modern computer equipment accessible to all
- Quiet room with TV, DVD and video
- Lounge area with good set of books and magazines
- Great facilities for families and partners and children
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City of Benalla right next door
- Walking distance to city shops & motels (map)
- Lots to do for non-flyers and on non-flying days
- Wineries
- superb modern regional Art gallery
- Ned Kelly history at Glenrowan
- Motor racing at Winton
- Ski-fields
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Affordable for all
- Club-based pricing – no annoying and expensive surcharges every time you turn around or touch something
- Credit card facilities (no surcharges)
- Check our prices.
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Easy To Get Here
- Australia’s second-busiest international airport just 2 hours drive away
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