Flying, Finances & What’s Ahead at CHB Aero Club

As summer fades and autumn settles in, the CHB Aero Club finds itself balancing strong flying activity, changing weather, and some important financial decisions to keep things on track.

Here’s a complete update — with all the key details.

A Season of Mixed Weather

The annual gliding competition has just wrapped up — and it was a real reminder of how unpredictable flying conditions can be.

• 8 days on site

• Only 3 flyable days

• A mix of storms, rain, wind, and some great soaring conditions

Meanwhile, recent rain has transformed the airfield and surrounding countryside, leaving everything looking at its best — at least for now. As always, what comes next weather-wise is anyone’s guess.

Financial Year Review Underway

With the financial year approaching, the committee has been reviewing the club’s numbers carefully to ensure everything is in good shape.

A key focus has been aircraft operating costs and flying rates.

Changes to Flying Rates

After a detailed review:

• 3 out of 4 aircraft rates are tracking well

• Cub KSS is not — due to:

  • Lower utilisation

  • Higher insurance costs

  • Ongoing subsidisation that is no longer sustainable

What’s Changing:

• Cub KSS rate increasing to $260/hour (from March 1st)

• All aircraft rates increasing by $10/hour to better cover rising engine overhaul costs

KSS’s updated rate will include this $10 increase

These changes ensure the club can maintain its fleet properly without compromising long-term sustainability.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

There are a couple of great events coming up that members should get involved in:

OZ Runways Seminar

• Date: Sunday, March 1st

• Time: 2:00 PM

• Location: Dannevirke Airfield

A highly recommended session for:

• Current **Oz Runways users

• Anyone considering using it

These seminars are known for being practical and valuable for improving flight planning and in-air awareness.

“Bone of Contention” Competition

• Date: Saturday, March 28th

• Location: Athbey Farm, Woodville

This is the long-awaited return of the inter-club clay bird shooting competition between:

• Dannevirke Flying Club

• CHB Aero Club

• HBEC Aero Club

Organised by Club Captain Gill Phillips, this event is as much about fun as it is competition.

What to expect:

• Tweed dress code (yes, really — time to dust off the deerstalker!)

• Loan shotguns and tuition available

• A great social day

Important:

• Eye protection — essential

• Hearing protection — essential

Even if you’ve never tried shooting before, it’s designed to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Final Thoughts

As we move into autumn, the focus is clear:

• Stay on top of finances

• Keep the fleet sustainable

• Maintain strong member engagement

With events coming up and solid planning in place, the club continues to strike a good balance between fun, flying, and financial responsibility.