Parkes, NSW Fly'n For Fun 27 - 29 March 2026 - Who is going

[Blueadventures]

Planning to attend the Fly'n, likely get to Narromine before hand then fly into Parkes.  What's the under-wing camping like?  eg area set aside, showers and toilets etc and food.  I like to plan to arrive the day before so I'm not caught in last minute poor weather etc an also beat the congestion then settle in for a relax and take things in.  What is the typical weather pattern for that time?

[Thruster88]

I am planning to take my single seat Thruster to represent the beginning of AUF/ Raaus. Weather should be nice that time of year. You would be welcome to come here beforehand, I am only 33nm south east of Parkes.

[skippydiesel]

I recomend BOYCOTTING  the Parkes RAA event.

 

Its a completely inappropriate venue for a RAA fly-in.

 

Being a Security Controlled Airport:

• Requiring pilots to hold an ASIC or be escorted to/from their aircraft.
• Public have no access to the flight line.
• Aircraft flight line/parking, a long walk from event centre. Yes there was an infrequent shuttle bus  - walking better than a long wait in the heat & flies.
• Last year there was no control of arriving/departing aircraft, resulting in potential dangerous appossing circuit operations. Nor was their adequate ground marshaling of departing aircraft.
• On site catering was woefully inadequate, with long ques for the 2 (?) providers of  pretty awful food, once you got to order.

What was wrong with the Narromine/Temora venues??????😈

 

[jackc]

1 hour ago, skippydiesel said:

I recomend BOYCOTTING  the Parkes RAA event.

 

Its a completely inappropriate venue for a RAA fly-in.

 

Being a Security Controlled Airport:

• Requiring pilots to hold an ASIC or be escorted to/from their aircraft.
• Public have no access to the flight line.
• Aircraft flight line/parking, a long walk from event centre. Yes there was an infrequent shuttle bus  - walking better than a long wait in the heat & flies.
• Last year there was no control of arriving/departing aircraft, resulting in potential dangerous appossing circuit operations. Nor was their adequate ground marshaling of departing aircraft.
• On site catering was woefully inadequate, with long ques for the 2 (?) providers of  pretty awful food, once you got to order.

What was wrong with the Narromine/Temora venues??????😈

 

Maybe problems of the past have been solved?

[skippydiesel]

11 minutes ago, jackc said:

Maybe problems of the past have been solved?

Unlike - As far as I know (ERSA) Parkes is still a Security Controlled Airport. This is the main factor that then leads to most of the other issues.😈

[facthunter]

Also one of the Most expensive Places I've been for food and accommodation.  Nev

[Blueadventures]

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Fly'n for Fun to return in 2024

18 April 2023

Comments 0 Comments

 

The national fly-in Fly'n for Fun will return to Parkes NSW in 2024, organisers Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) announced today.

RAAus will team-up with AMDA Foundation to organise and support the national GA fly-in once more, hoping to attract aviators of all types from around Australia to Parkes on 12-14 April.

Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) CEO Matt Bouttell said Fly’n For Fun was “a wonderful opportunity to get private aviators together as a community, and in 2024, to also showcase our private aviation industry to the general public.

“Fly’n for Fun surpassed our modest expectations in 2022,” he said. “We had more than 70 aircraft fly in for the weekend, and a range of products, services and static aircraft on display. We’re planning to at least double the size of the event for 2024 and to appeal to aspiring aviators as well.

“Parkes Shire Council has once again welcomed us and we’re thrilled to support this community, many of whom had to deal with not only the effects of the pandemic but also multiple natural disasters in recent years.

"We’re really excited about bringing some business to the region and also inspiring the next generation of aviators."

AMDA Foundation has increased its sponsorship support for Fly'n for Fun, with CEO Justin Giddings stating that the event fitted well with AMDA mission.

“Promoting recreational aviation has always been part of our mission, from the first Schofields Air Show in northwestern Sydney in 1976 to the Centenary of Federation AirShows in the Outback in Queensland during 2001 and providing free space and sponsorship for aviation associations and groups at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon since its inception in 1992,” he said.

“The first Fly’n for Fun in 2022 provided the recreational aviation community with a chance to regroup after COVID and share their passion for flying. The 2024 event will expand on the theme, with more activities to spark interest in the general public and particularly young people who may see aviation and aerospace as a potential career.

"Flying for fun is not only a great recreational pastime; it is also a serious endeavour that benefits the broader community.”

The event site will relocate to vacant land behind the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Parkes museum building, which will enable organisers to construct a taxiway for static display aircraft and under-wing campers to cross the airport boundary and park aircraft on the display site.

“We’re also thrilled to be working closely with HARS Parkes Aviation Museum [not only] as a chance to provide a terrific attraction for Fly’n For Fun attendees, but also to support their continued dedication for preserving Australia’s aviation history, Boutell said.”

AMDA's involvement with Fly'n for Fun is part of an expanded portfolio of GA events for the foundation, which also includes Airshows Downunder Shellharbour, formerly Wings over Illawarra.

More information is on the Fly'n for Fun website.

 

[Neil_S]

18 hours ago, Blueadventures said:

Planning to attend the Fly'n, likely get to Narromine before hand then fly into Parkes.  What's the under-wing camping like?  eg area set aside, showers and toilets etc and food.  I like to plan to arrive the day before so I'm not caught in last minute poor weather etc an also beat the congestion then settle in for a relax and take things in.  What is the typical weather pattern for that time?

 

Hi Blueadventures,

 

I attended the 2024 event and camped under wing in the area set aside. Just make sure you bring a mattress!  There were adequate toilets and showers, and the food was what I expected at this sort of event. I have an ASIC, so that side of things was not an issue for me. The HARS museum is also worth a visit. 

I suggested to organizers, as I believe did others, that a UNICOM be provided. Hopefully this has been taken on board. 

I won't know if I'm going to the 2026 event until a few days before, when the forecasts firm up.

 

Remember that the airport has REX commercial jets - I checked the time of the REX plane's arrival, and got there a few minutes before it was due. I needn't have worried - it was about 2 hours late......

 

Cheers,

Neil

[skippydiesel]

"I have an ASIC, so that side of things was not an issue for me. "
 

In your nice little individual comfort zone, you seem to have completely missed the points I tried to make. THIS EVENT SHOULD NOT BE HELD AT A SECURITY CONTROLLED AIRPORT. From this brain dead decision, flows many of the points I raised;

• Requiring pilots to hold an ASIC or be escorted to/from their aircraft.
• Public have no access to the flight line.
• Aircraft flight line/parking, a long walk from event centre. 

"...the food was what I expected at this sort of event. "

 

Yea Gads!! - Why should anyone settle for awful food, at any event, let alone RAA's signature annual one????

I don't expect Le Cordon Bleu - good quality plain cooking, will do me just fine. Check out how the volunteers at Clifton/Holbrook Fly-In's look after their visitors.

 

2025 was my second & successful attempt, at attending the Parkes Fly-In - I had intended to stay over, on the Saturday night, but cut short my visit and flew back home.  I was astonished at how badly it was run & awkward/isolating the ASIC requirements made, of what should be an inclusive event.

 

The lack of a UNICOM & departing aircraft marshals, was the "icing on the cake of disappointment".

 

The  articles put out by RAA/Sport Pilot on the success of this pitiful event, are far worse than just "Gilding the Lilly" marketing spin, they are very close to  terminological inexactitudes.

 

I ask again, what was the problem with holding this event at Narromine/Temora/ or some other better suited (non ASIC) field???😈

[Blueadventures]

Best you phone or email Maxine at RAAus with the question why Parkes and when might it be held at Narromine.  No one else can answer that question.

[Neil_S]

44 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

"I have an ASIC, so that side of things was not an issue for me. "
 

In your nice little individual comfort zone, you seem to have completely missed the points I tried to make. THIS EVENT SHOULD NOT BE HELD AT A SECURITY CONTROLLED AIRPORT. From this brain dead decision, flows many of the points I raised;

• Requiring pilots to hold an ASIC or be escorted to/from their aircraft.
• Public have no access to the flight line.
• Aircraft flight line/parking, a long walk from event centre. 

"...the food was what I expected at this sort of event. "

 

Yea Gads!! - Why should anyone settle for awful food, at any event, let alone RAA's signature annual one????

I don't expect Le Cordon Bleu - good quality plain cooking, will do me just fine. Check out how the volunteers at Clifton/Holbrook Fly-In's look after their visitors.

 

2025 was my second & successful attempt, at attending the Parkes Fly-In - I had intended to stay over, on the Saturday night, but cut short my visit and flew back home.  I was astonished at how badly it was run & awkward/isolating the ASIC requirements made, of what should be an inclusive event.

 

The lack of a UNICOM & departing aircraft marshals, was the "icing on the cake of disappointment".

 

The  articles put out by RAA/Sport Pilot on the success of this pitiful event, are far worse than just "Gilding the Lilly" marketing spin, they are very close to  terminological inexactitudes.

 

I ask again, what was the problem with holding this event at Narromine/Temora/ or some other better suited (non ASIC) field???😈

Dear Skip,

 

Thank you so much for your reply - negative, rude and insulting as always.

I don't think anyone would disagree that it would be better at a non Security Controlled airfield, but I assume the organisers had their reasons for choosing Parkes - have you asked them? I assume the alternative would be no fly-in, which you would probably prefer. Or even better - why don't you organise it yourself if it's so blindingly obvious you have a better alternative?

 

Like everyone else I think the ASIC is a money-grab and totally useless, but I have one so I can go to a security controlled airport where someone who works on my plane is. Being of a certain age it also gives me more options to land for a comfort break, or refuel if I have underestimated my fuel use. I'd rather NOT have to pay for those options, but as other threads on here illustrate, you're bashing your head against the government - so good luck with changing that. 

 

I had NO PROBLEM with the food. Describing it as awful is just insulting. I have been to many fly-ins and I agree the food at Holbrook is excellent, but given the facilities available at Parkes it was fine, and on a par with many other fly-ins. Personally I didn't attend for the food, I attended to catch up with fellow aviators and chat about all things aviation - which I did. 

 

As stated, I think UNICOM would have improved the event, and told the organisers. It remains to be seen if it is implemented this time. 

 

And as you mentioned Sport Pilot, the magazine you love to hate, why don't you volunteer to become the new editor? You do nothing but slag off the current one. Having run a newsletter in the past I can confirm that getting people to contribute articles is like getting blood out of a stone. How many articles have YOU contributed?

 

So instead of asking US let's hear what reply you got when you asked the organisers why they didn't go for Narromine/Temora. 

 

Cheers.

[BrendAn]

On 28/12/2025 at 9:40 PM, Thruster88 said:

I am planning to take my single seat Thruster to represent the beginning of AUF/ Raaus. Weather should be nice that time of year. You would be welcome to come here beforehand, I am only 33nm south east of Parkes.

thought you would have to drag out the wheeler scout.

[Thruster88]

8 hours ago, BrendAn said:

thought you would have to drag out the wheeler scout.

Unfortunately I sold the 1984 mk3 scout i bought new after the first year of flying and moved on to the Thruster.

[skippydiesel]

Hi Neil_S

 

Pleases quote where I have been "rude and insulting as always".  If unable to do so, please retract this personalised sweeping statement.

 

"negative" Yes! absolutly about the location of this event and the failings that I observed/experienced.

 

"Like everyone else I think the ASIC is a money-grab and totally useless"  I do not disagree however you digress, this is not about ASIC per say - its about a badly organised/run event, that is in large part due, not exclusively so, to the ASIC regulation's. 

 

If for moment we imagine Parkes without ASIC:  

• Its geographic, central NSW location is attractive for visitors from the eastern States.
• The local itself, due to airfield lay out, is still inferior to both Temora & Narromine. There are likely other  locations should  Narromine /Temora not be available.
• (The lay out is exacerbated by the ASIC requirements)

"I assume the organisers had their reasons for choosing Parkes" - staggeringly obvious statement BUT what might these reasons be, that resulted in what is surely a much less desirable local, than the two former event locations, much more successful in attendance & ambiance .

 

"why don't you organise it yourself " Sure, Give me a workable budget and I will deliver. You seem to be very accepting of the pitiful performance of the organising RAA salaried professionals, with a budget allocation,  compared with the superior events, which small voluntary clubs seem  able to deliver - why is that?

"I had NO PROBLEM with the food. Describing it as awful is just insulting."  Food appreciation is a personal matter. When I pay for something, my expectations are significantly higher than when its "free"

I found the food (poor quality) & service (very long queue fora lunch) to be unacceptable. You clearly you do not, good-on-yah! 

 

By the time I got to the food, I had been at Parkes about 2-3 hrs and had already formed a negative opinion/state of mind, of the event, for all the aforementioned reasons .

 

"I think UNICOM would have improved the event" .. "Improved" ???? - Maaate!  A basic safety matter. Tiny club fly-ins can deliver on this, why cant the professional RAA??

 

"Sport Pilot......."  You digress again. My mention of SP was to slam the article(s) within, about the supposed outstanding success of the Parkes event. If you want me to answer the rest of your SP comments, raise it in an SP specific thread.

 

"So instead of asking US" - I stand to be corrected, is this not a  forum where aviation matters/concerns, can be aired & support elicited? May not opinions, aired in this forum, not filter down to the ears of RAA staff?

"....let's hear what reply you got when you asked the organisers...." True! I have not approached RAA directly, on this particular matter. Past experience does nor auger well, should I do so. I will think about it.😈

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by skippydiesel

[Neil_S]

1 hour ago, skippydiesel said:

.......is this not a  forum where aviation matters/concerns, can be aired & support elicited? May not opinions, aired in this forum, not filter down to the ears of RAA staff?

"....let's hear what reply you got when you asked the organisers...." True! I have not approached RAA directly, on this particular matter. Past experience does nor auger well, should I do so. I will think about it.😈

 

 

Hi Skip,

 

Yes - this is a forum where matters can be aired, but as none of us had anything to do with the organisation of the event what is the point of moaning to us, and asking why Narromine/Temora was not chosen when answers to all of your gripes can be answered by the organisers themselves? 

I attended several of the Temora Natflys and enjoyed them, so I'd be happy for it to be located there again, but I don't know why it wasn't selected for 2024. 

 

So let us know why when you contact the organisers - we'd all be interested to find out. 

 

Cheers.

[skippydiesel]

Hi Neil_S,

 

My commentary on the Parkes event was not a single point.

• The  statement & Q, "why Parkes ?"  is but one, is both rhetorical and actual ie  Parkes is such a bad choice and why did anyone choose it?

What of the other half dozen??

 

"....this is a forum where matters can be aired, but as none of us had anything to do with the organisation"

 

 If you:

• attended 2024/25, you most certainly had something to do with it.
• attend 2026, you are, in effect, making a statement of support/approval for the proceeding management. Little, if any change will result.
• choose not to attend, you are making a democratic statement, that may, if sufficient numbers do likewise (boycott), lead to a change of venue & how its organised.

It is clear that RAA have gone ahead with the Parkes venue, despite significant feed back, suggesting this may not be to the liking of a number (?) of members.

What organisational changes they make or not, will only be known after the 2026 event (don't hold your breath).

 

To the best of my knowledge, the  promotion of the 2026 event has been in RAA eMail contact & Sport Pilot article - there were no organisational / management changes flagged. In fact you would think that 2025 was such an outstanding success, they will be following the same format.

 

Spoken (video) & in print , suggests the public have & will be able to wonder through the flight line (parked aircraft) talking to the pilot/owners - I wish this was true, as it was for Temora/Narromine. Unfortunatly ASIC  has not & will not, permit this and even if it did, the parked aircraft are some 200 ++m from the centre of the event, behind hangers, security fence & trees -, hardly accessible.

 

"So let us know why when you contact the organiser..."

 

Ah! the defence of the fence sitter.

 

Tell you what, I have (at 2025 Holbrook) made my concerns known to the RAA rep of the day.  I am willing to go further,  put it all in writing IF you commit to do likewise 🤣.

 

 😈

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by skippydiesel

[Neil_S]

1 hour ago, skippydiesel said:

 

 

"So let us know why when you contact the organiser..."

 

Ah! the defence of the fence sitter.

 

Tell you what, I have (at 2025 Holbrook) made my concerns known to the RAA rep of the day.  I am willing to go further,  put it all in writing IF you commit to do likewise 🤣.

 

 😈

 

Hi Skip,

 

"Ah! the defence of the fence sitter." - another attempt at a snide remark (and you wonder why I think you are rude!)

I will continue to "sit on the fence" as I will try and attend the event at Parkes, and will try and attend if it changes in future to Narromine/Temora, as I obviously do not hold the same negative opinion as you. If everyone bar me thinks Parkes is so crap then presumably I will be the only one there. If that's the case I will tip my hat in deference to you. 

I have no intention of writing to RAAus as you are clearly the one who has such vehement anti-Parkes views.

I continue to be interested as to why it is not to be held at Narromine/Temora, or anywhere else - so let us all know what they say.

 

Cheers

 

 

[skippydiesel]

It wasn't an "attempt"  - its a unambiguous statement, of how you come across to me. Nothing rude about it at all.

 

As for Parkes 2026 - If you get there, I hope for you and all other attendees, it is everything you might hope for.

 

For me to attend, I would have to be assured that the majority of disappointments, that I experince 2025, had been addressed - only a masochist continues to place himself in  an uncomfortable and unsafe, environment.

 

I am told that the past events, at Narromine/Temora, were managed by two particularly enthusiastic (talented?) RAA employees, now no longer with the organisation  - what a pity.

 

I am disappointed that my fellow pilots would seem to be so accepting of a second rate event, so diffrent from those of the past.😈

[BurnieM]

Can we stop slagging off each other and RAAus (not a question, please do not answer).

 

I went in 2024.

It was a small show, the sort of show you would expect a small regional aero club to run.

The underwing camping area was limited but seemed to have ok facilities.

There were limited vendors.

Had a good chat with Sling, Bert Flood and Garmin but was out of things to do after 90 minutes.

There was very limited food. Not sure whether the small crowd would have supported more food vendors.

Being able to walk around visiting aircraft would have been good and tripled the size of the show.

I drove 5 hours from Sydney. This was a max 2 hour drive show.

I am surprised they selected the same venue again and probably will not be going in 2026.

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by BurnieM

[skippydiesel]

RAA is great! It has facilitated my ingoing flying activities & small aircraft ownership - not sure this would have happened, had I stayed with GA.

 

Being a long time supporter of RAA, does not prevent me from expressing my disappointment, in their supposedly premier event, the 2025 , Fly'N For Fun, Parkes & fear for the standard of the future 2026 event.

 

I recognise that an event of this kind must present some challenges for RAA;

1. Their staff are trained in/focused on, matters aviation. Taking valuable staff/work hours away from "core" business, may not site well with RAA staff & management, limiting enthusiasm for and time available for event planning & management.
2. Organising & budgeting for an outdoor event, subject to the vagaries of weather, (minimal to overcrowded patronage) is at best a financially terrifying exercise.
3. Parkes is  almost 300 kilometres from Canberra, their home office. The distance may present logistical & communication difficulties.
4. Working with volunteer organisation (those providing services at the event) is often problematic. Staff availability and competence can vary wildly and with it service standards. 
5. Holding an event of this kind, on a Security Controlled Airfield (ASIC), likly has non negotiable regulations, not present on non ASIC airfields. This rigidity likly has a negative impact on the "open" atmosphere of non ASIC fields.
6. Aircraft arrival/departure marshalling - A safety & efficiency service . Can only be staffed by ASIC holders, at an ASIC field. Providers must have basic training in aircraft movement signaling. Parking area must have some form of recognisable parking lay out.
7.  Setting up & manning a UNICOM - This is  basic safety system is a must for ALL fly-ins. Staffing with competent controllers may be difficult.

Random thoughts;

 

1. Event Management; RAA membership is a potentially great resource for finding/using existing skills in this area.

2. No suggestions. This is challenge faced by all managers of outdoor events. Inevitably there will be a weather related  financial "wash out"  as well as the possibility of a much larger crowd than planed for. Free Pre booking helps with the latter (payment on the day for late comers).

3 &4. Planning, Preparation & Staffing on event days: Again RAA members may be able to fill this gap - Many would jump at the chance of  a bit of FIFO (own aircraft) for the cost of landing fees, bed & a few meals.

5. Move the event to a non ASIC field - Consider having event in a diffrent State each year or so. This action alone would likly "solve" many of the existing issues.

6 & 7. Call out to the RAA membership. Sufficient numbers must be recruited so that short shifts (each overseen by an experienced supervisor) can be applied at peak arrival/departure  aircraft movement times.

😈

 

 

[NME]

I'm going. Flew in from interstate and camped next to my Zodiac last time and will again. I appreciated the relaxed collegial vibe and vendors. No-one requested, required or checking ASICs. I didn't have one at the time anyway. The ARO's just kept GA away from the RPT parking/terminal airside area. Marshalling of us flyers was plentiful, clear and competent. The RAAus safety & ops team and volunteers were well rehearsed. Thanks RAAus. 

[turboplanner]

On 29/12/2025 at 12:33 PM, jackc said:

Maybe problems of the past have been solved?

I don't know what happened at Temora, but the end of the huge Narromine event was because of all the experts telling the best organiser in the business how much better they could have done it and criticising it - much like this thread. She walked away. and NONE of the experts had the skills to carry on. 

[Jerry_Atrick]

I have no skin in this game as I am unlikely to be in Aus in march, 2026 and I fly GA (although I just read a review of a European microlight that may change that).

 

However, reading this thread has provided a bit of light entertainment.

 

The only thing I remember about Parkes is the observatory and Ben Hall's grave. 

 

If Parkes is that bad, and no one provided feedback on the previous sly in, then this seems appropro:

 

On 30/12/2025 at 9:15 PM, BurnieM said:

I am surprised they selected the same venue again and probably will not be going in 2026.

 

If the numbers are further down, then I would suggest the venue may change - or maybe worse - the event will slide into oblivion. 

 

People who feel passionately about it should volunteer and take up the mantle.It's easy to complain. I know first hand.. I live in Pommy land (meant affectionately).

Edited January 4 by Jerry_Atrick

[skippydiesel]

8 hours ago, NME said:

 I appreciated the relaxed collegial vibe and vendors.

Each to their own. It was certainly relaxed, to the point of boredom. Collegial ? true I have never found pilots to be otherwise. Vendors? - less said the better.

No-one requested, required or checking ASICs. 

I wasn't asked for one either. That's not even close to the point, which is:- Being a Security Controlled Airport (ASIC)  means that the attending aircraft (flight line) had to be isolated from the public side of the event. In large part having the flight line accessible, to the public & pilots, is one of, if not the principal promotional draw card. In the past, owners have given their mounts a special clean & wax, had information about their aircraft displayed & been only too willing to expound on the merits of their "baby" to eager listeners - not possible at Parkes.

 Marshalling of us flyers was plentiful, clear and competent. The RAAus safety & ops team and volunteers were well rehearsed. 

As I passed  overhead, there were at least 4-6 other aircraft already in the circuit. Two elected to land in the opposite direction, to immediately earlier landing aircraft  and the others, established in the circuit - "..safety & ops team .." absent!

As I taxied in there was a good "marshaling" team on hand. This is to be expected  ie  nothing unusual.

Some hours later, when departing, the marshals were not in evidence - every pilot for him/herself. Not good!

😈

 

[skippydiesel]

Hi Jerry_Atrick,

 

Nothing wrong with Parkes and it's associated attractions. It's a nice vibrant  country town.

Its not Parkes that is the problem, as such, it's that it has a Security Controlled Airport. 

Being Security Controlled means that the arriving Event aircraft are parked a considerable distance (out of sight) from the public event. This negatively impacts on the character of the event and I would suggest the interest by both public and visiting pilots.

 

"If the numbers are further down, then I would suggest the venue may change - or maybe worse - If the numbers are further down, then I would suggest the venue may change - or maybe worse - the event will slide into oblivion. . "

 

I will be surprised if 2026 event is well patronised.

Yes, this is both a strong signal to the RAA organisers and runs the risk of " the event will slide into oblivion". 

It would be a tragedy if this annual event stopped, which it surely will, if it continues at the Parkes locations (could this be a hidden RAA agenda?).

😈