I have had a life long interest in aeroplanes and flying, doubtless encouraged by my father. I learnt to fly in 1983 with Star Air Charter in Bathurst. Charlie Polain and Jerry Trevor-Jones both contributed. Charlie retired not long after I finished my PPL. There may have been a connection! I’m a typical weekend flyer, doing ten or twelve hours a year. I always fly in the Club competitions to keep my skills up to date and have a bit of fun. Best flight: Bathurst to Broken Hill via Condobolin and back via Wilcannia and Cobar. The return flight was a great navigational challenge over featureless countryside.

(Bio available RSN)

I joined Schofields Flying Club and had my TIF in 1971, then trained and flew with Schofields through the 70s and 80s gaining my unrestricted PPL and NGT VFR. I served on the board of SFC for eight years, was a director of the Organising Committee of all Schofield Air Shows and Deputy Director of Logistics at the 1988 Bicentennial Air Show, then became a Foundation Member of the Aeroaspace Maritime and Defence Foundation of Australia Ltd which conducts the Avalon Air Shows.

I joinded Bathurst Aero Club after moving to my property at O'Connell in 1989 and have really enjoyed my involvement with the club. The opportunity to private hire and join in flying competitions in a late model aircraft is a real bonus complemented by the friendly and comfortable nature of the club's facilities. Recently I fulfilled a lifelong ambition with the purchase of my own Archer II. My other interests away from flying include harness racing. Over the years I have enjoyed many memorable flights, but the flight I will never forget is my first solo!

Kevin looks after our club hangar
(Bio available RSN)

Errol looks after our club website
(Bio available RSN)

Contact Errol at the club by phone (02) 6337 3310 or by email

I gained an interest in flying whilst at school, and having National Service duties to fulfil, it was logical that when I left school in 1952 I would join the Air Force. All went well until I went for the medical and discovered I was colour blind. This put paid to being taught to fly at the Government's expense. I spent two years in the Army and on completion of National Service I found that the DCA (Department of Civil Aviation) had similar views on colour blindness.

I studied accountancy for two years and then went into the motor trade where I remained for twenty years. DCA slowly relented on colour blindness (with restrictions) and in 1960 I was able to commence training for a PPL.

Flying a DeHaviland Chipmunk, I obtained my PPL in 1961. After consulting with DCA over several years I was finally able to train for my commercial licence. This I obtained in 1968. The training in those days was carried out by George Campbell from Mudgee who came to Bathurst at weekends. In 1979 George decided to reduce his operation to Mudgee only which left Bathurst without any training facility. At that time Charlie Polain, who worked for George, Lindsay Cox, a local ag. operator, and myself joined forces and formed a partnership to be known as Star Air Charter.

Star Air Charter operated through the club and the arrangement proved very successful for both parties. Charlie was CFI and I completed my instructor rating in that year to be the second instructor. Charlie retired in 1985 and I became CFI and Chief Pilot. We started with a Cessna 150 Aerobat and at the time of selling the business we operated six aircraft, four singles and two twins. We had expanded the business to cover all training in both single and multi engine, as well as IFR Charter. As the sole owner of the business I sold out to Air Centre in 2002.