Learning to fly with the Bunbury Aero Club is great fun. Our team of qualified instructors are dedicated to to helping you get your pilot’s licence with thorough pre-flight briefings and step-by-step goals to ensure you get the most out of every lesson.

Whether you wish to fly for business, recreation or career, flying a light aircraft in formation, to acting as Captain on an international skyline, we can make your dreams a reality. At the Bunbury Aero Club the sky is not the limit!

Click here to view our information page regarding the process of applying for an Aviation Reference Number (ARN), Student Pilot Licence (SPL) and Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC)

For more information on becoming a pilot, including current prices, please request our free Learn to Fly booklet.

Q. What is the difference between General Aviation and Recreational Aviation?

A. The Bunbury Aero Club offer flight training in General Aviation (GA) and Recreational Aviation (RA). GA is governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and RA is governed by Recreational Aviation Australia.

We have taken steps to ensure all our students, no matter what course they learn to fly, are all trained to the same standard. An important point to note is regardless of which course of aviation you opt to train in, the training syllabuses are very similar in terms of the standard that we expect of you to pass a flight test.

If your intention is to gain a Private Pilot Licence (i.e. flying recreationally with family & friends) or Commercial Pilot Licence (i.e. charter pilot, flight instructor) you will have to conduct General Aviation training.

If your intention is to fly purely for recreation and only fly solo or with one passenger, then Recreational Aviation may be best suited to your needs. An RA Pilot Certificate, along with a Passenger Carriage and Cross-Country Endorsement entitles you to fly aircraft with a Maximum Take-Off Weight of 600kgs and with a maximum of two seats (pilot plus passenger). If you decide to ‘switch’ between the two different streams of aviation, hours obtained in GA are able to count towards an RA licence, and vice-versa. There are requirements relating to this, speak to an instructor for further details.

The major difference between GA and RA is the type of aircraft that you are able to fly once you have obtained your licence. At this stage, RA approved aircraft are limited to two seats maximum and have a Maximum Take-Off Weight of no more than 600kg. If you want to take more than one passenger with you, then you will need to obtain a GA licence as this allows you to conduct aircraft conversions and endorsements to fly larger aircraft.

The RA licence, unlike GA, does not require you to hold an aviation medical; however you are required to sign a health declaration every year stating that you are fit to hold a driver’s licence for an Australian state. Under the RA legislation you can go solo at 15 years of age, but in GA you must be 16 before undertaking a solo flight.

There are limitations on RA aircraft in regards to controlled airspace (i.e. Perth Airport), but in terms of other privileges, RA and GA are becoming more comparable as time goes on.

If you are still uncertain as to which option best suits your needs, please speak to an instructor or staff member who will help you determine whether to conduct General Aviation or Recreational Aviation training.

The GA and RA aircraft operated by the Bunbury Aero Club are maintained by a licenced engineer in accordance with the manufacturers recommended schedule.

Who are the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)?

  • In brief: CASA was established on 6 July 1995 as an independent statutory authority. Under section 8 of the, Civil Aviation Act 1988, CASA is a body corporate separate from the Commonwealth. CASA’s primary function is to conduct the safety regulation of civil air operations in Australia and the operation of Australian aircraft overseas. It is also required to provide comprehensive safety education and training programmes, cooperate with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and administer certain features of Part IVA of the Civil Aviation (Carriers’ Liability) Act 1959.The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, made under authority of the Civil Aviation Act, provide for general regulatory controls for the safety of air navigation. The Civil Aviation Act and CAR 1988 empower CASA to issue Civil Aviation Orders on detailed matters of regulation. The CASR’s 1998 empower CASA to issue Manuals of Standards which support CASR by providing detailed technical material.

Who is Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus)?

  • Recreational Aviation Australia Incorporated (formerly the Australian Ultralight Federation) promotes, stimulates and develops the international activity of light aircraft building and flying — for experiment, sport and recreation. Their member-elected management board, backed up by their very effective full-time managers, are responsible to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for the administration of light recreational and sport aviation in Australia, including the issue of pilots’ certifications, aircraft type acceptance, aircraft registrations and the approval — and continuing audit — of flight training facilities. RA-Aus also acts as the advocate of the recreational aviation community within the public arena.