About Us
The Royal Queensland Aero Club is one of the oldest flying clubs in the world.
The Royal Queensland Aero Club (RQAC) was formed in June 1910 and was first known as the Australian Aero Club – Queensland Section.
In 1919, following World War I, the aero club commenced flying training. The following year, the Australian Aero Club – Queensland Section was renamed to the Queensland Aero Club. This continued until 1935 when Royal Charter was granted and the title became the “Royal Queensland Aero Club”. Club operations moved from Eagle Farm Airport to Archerfield Airport, when it officially opened in 1931.
The Royal Queensland Aero Club has had many well-known members over the years, including Major Thomas Macleod, who flew the first heavier-than-air biplane glider constructed in Queensland, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, the first man to fly from the United States to Australia, Bert Hinkler, the first man to fly from England to Australia, and Lores Bonney, who was the first woman to circumnavigate Australia. In 2015, the club donated an antique propeller for Hinkler’s memorial in Italy, and organized a fly-past in his honour.
The Patron of the Royal Queensland Aero Club is the duly appointed Governor of Queensland.
The club was reformed in 2017 to continue the heritage under a new independent and not-for-profit charter. RQAC is now a community driven organisation operated by volunteer members who are passionate about all things aviation.
Our club’s main purposes are to preserve the great legacy and memorabilia of the Royal Queensland Aero Club which dates back to 1919, and to maintain a community of aviation enthusiasts in Queensland through networking, social and flying events across the year.
The Royal Queensland Aero Club welcomes new members. Membership is open to all persons who hold an interest in aviation whether you currently fly, used to fly or would like to fly.
We would like to also recognise and thank our Founding Members:
John McDonald
Lisa Tait
Robert Hughes
Mark Crompton
Peter Carter