The Clare Valley Flying Group Inc.
"Connecting the Clare Valley with Australia"
"Connecting the Clare Valley with Australia"
Overview
The Clare Valley is situated in the heart of the mid-north of South Australia. Clare is situated centrally to several small townships, each with a diverse rich history. The Valley is considered iconic around the world as the home of Australian Riesling. As a regional centre, the region was not serviced with any airport facility.
As a result of this need, a project was initiated with the aim of developing an all-weather Aerodrome facility with Runway and Windsock lighting to cater for day/night operations for aircraft.
The Clare Valley Aerodrome has been established and is located 40 kilometres south west of Burra and 14 kilometres north of Clare. Burra is one of South Australia’s most significant historical towns and supports a large pastoral footprint and Clare hosts one of the country’s premium viticulture and vigneron districts.
Background and objectives of CVFG Inc
The Clare Valley Flying Group Incorporated was formed in 2009 to establish and develop the Aerodrome and operates as a Not-for-Profit Organisation. It undertakes its functions under the direction of a Committee elected by its Members, manages the Aerodrome as a community hub for the benefit of Clare and the surrounding regions. The Flying Group currently has 40 private and 20 corporate members. The Aerodrome itself is open to all community groups and members of the flying community both recreational and commercial.
The CVFG Inc is funded through Membership, donations/sponsors, fund-raising, and grants from all sectors- Local Council, State Government and Federal Government. An income stream is also derived from the utilisation of CVFG Inc assets including hangar and land leasing to private enterprise and charges for the use of the Terminal Building and landing fees from flight training and fixed wing agricultural operators.
The land on which the Aerodrome has been established was made available by the owner for lease to establish an Aerodrome. This was surveyed by Airport Technical Services in 2008, as an approved CASA surveyor, and has been approved as an unregistered Aeroplane Landing Area (ALA).
In 2014 at the Aerodrome Opening the landowners Michael and Rosemary Chigwidden made an extremely generous donation of the land 29ha unencumbered to the Clare Valley Flying Group Inc which now ensures the long-term viability of the Aerodrome.
The Aerodrome now caters for business, tourism, agricultural and recreational users. It provides an active hub at which members of the Clare Valley community and the Clare Valley Flying Group, together with other flying enthusiasts can share the experience of flying and promote other related aviation and educational activities, including emergency services and community safety.
The principal objective of CVFG Inc is to develop aviation facilities for the Mid North Community and foster the long-term development of a premium aviation facility to enhance business, tourism, agricultural, recreational aviation activities and time critical emergency services and we have further achieved this goal by successfully completing the "All Weather Runway and Lighting Upgrade a $964,819 Project".
The flow-on effects of this Project to other established primary and secondary businesses, including accommodation, eateries, vehicle, and venue hire, will benefit the whole community.
We aim to further develop and maintain the Aerodrome for the Clare Valley and surrounding regions by enhancing the air services available at the Aerodrome for General Aviation encourage and facilitate tourism, agricultural, commercial, and recreational aviation.
With business, community and aviation membership we aim to facilitate business interests in and to attract business to the Clare Valley region.
The CVFG Inc is passionate about promoting all Aeronautical Activities at the Clare Valley Aerodrome as well as promoting what the Clare Valley has to offer to all visitors. Download the CVFG Inc Membership Form below to apply.