President's Fly-in 2026: Merimbula

Overview

Merimbula, 9 - 11 October 2026

In 1978, the founding president of the Airtourer Association, Sonny Rankin, hosted a "special meeting" at his Yarrandale property near West Wyalong on a weekend in August. On the Saturday, 26 aircraft flew in, including two RAAF CT-4As. This "special meeting" evolved into an annual President's Fly-in, and the tradition continued long after Sonny's 10 year tenure as President. For some time, Parkes became the venue, but by the 2000s, every year saw a new destination.

In 2026, the President's Fly-in is to Merimbula on NSW's Sapphire Coast; this will be the first time the Airtourer Association has hosted an event in Merimbula.

Association members and owners and operators of CT-4 Airtrainers, Airtourers and the Aircruiser are cordially invited to join the President in Merimbula from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October.

Accommodation

Grand Dinner

Registrations

Hosted by the Airtourer Association

The Airtourer Association was formed in 1977 with the objective of obtaining spare parts and technical information at a reasonable cost to help keep Airtourers in the air.

The aim of the Association was formally adopted, and with the arrival of CT-4 Airtrainers on the civil register, evolved to be:

Dedicated to the preservation and continued airworthiness of Victa and AESL Airtourer and derivative series aircraft.

The CT-4 Airtrainer is derived from the Victa Aircruiser and is warmly welcomed as part of the Airtourer family of aircraft.

The Association holds two major events every year: the Airtourer Convention and AGM, and the President's Fly-in.

You don't need to be a member of the Association to register for the Fly-in, but we hope you’ll have such a great time that you’ll want to sign up!

President's Fly-in 2026

The Airtourer Association President cordially invites all CT-4 Airtrainer, Airtourer, the (only) Aircruiser, owners, operators, maintainers, and Association members to get together at Merimbula NSW from 9-11 October for a weekend of activities to enjoy and celebrate the Airtourer family of aircraft and to improve pilot skills.

The Fly-In programme includes:

Navigation exercise to Mallacoota and Gabo Island
Formation flying activities
A spectacular dinner featuring guest speaker Dee Bond (co-owner of NZAero)
Walk-throughs of Merimbula Aviation Maintenance and Merimbula Air Services
Fast and Not So Furious 4: Quick talks on ASICs, aircrew medicals, coastal flying and overnighting
Lunch flight to Frogs Hollow
Information sharing and networking
Social activites

For more detail, see the Programme. Please note: the event programme may be subject to change.

Accommodation

Primary Accommodation with a group discount has been arranged at the Merimbula Sapphire Waters Motor Inn - please follow the instructions below to get the discounted rate.

A variety of rooms have been reserved under ‘Airtourer’ (see How to book below).

Ground Floor Queen Suites (poolside location) – $160 per night
Queen Balcony Suites (with views) – $160 per night
Upstairs Queen Balcony Suites (with elevated views) – $170 per night
Twin Balcony Suites (Queen Bed and Single Bed) – $170 per night
Executive King Suite (no view) – $175 per night
Executive King Suites with spa and walk-in shower (no view) – $185 per night
Family Suites (no view) – $190 per night
Other room types are available, even a pet-friendly room.

You can cancel without penalty up to 48 hours prior to arrival, so book now to assure a place to stay!

Note: While breakfast is not available at Sapphire Waters Motor Inn, there are plenty of cafes within easy walking distance.

The bus to and from Merimbula Airport operates from Sapphire Waters Motor Inn only.

How to book:

Please phone the Sapphire Waters Motor Inn, asking for a room from the ‘Airtourer Block’.
(02) 6495 1999

Cancellations before 7 October at 10am - full refund.

Cancellation not available on or after 8 October.

Other accommodation available within 650m of the Sapphire Waters Motor Inn:

Please note, a discount has NOT been arranged with other accommodation providers.

Ocean View Motor Inn (approx $160 to $250 per night)
Merimbula Sapphire Motor Inn (approx $130 to $190 per night)

Please note: ALL scheduled bus transport departs and arrives at the Merimbula Sapphire Waters Motor Inn.

Grand Dinner

Wharf Restaurant

Saturday 10th October 2026

Dress - Bit better than smart casual

Welcome drink included. Other drinks at own expense.

Official Dinner Guest Speaker - Dee Bond

Dee Bond, co-owner of NZAero, Catalina captain, and air rally champion will be our Guest Speaker. Read more about Dee...

Registrations

Event dates: Friday 9 - Sunday 11 October 2026

Full registration ($275) includes: potential participation in all events and sessions, pilot proficiency talks, Friday night pizza and welcome drink, the Wharf Dinner, Saturday and Sunday lunches and morning/afternoon teas, and scheduled bus transport.

Partial Registration ($125) is available for attendance to the Wharf Dinner on Saturday night and bonus optional inclusion in the Frogs Hollow BBQ Sunday lunch!

Register now!

Last year, registrations were completely subscribed and some people missed out! The moral of the story is don't leave it too late to register!

If you would like to come to the Saturday evening Dinner, try the Grand Dinner Only button below.

Please view the Registration Comparison table for the differences in registration types.

Please note: Every person attending must be registered.

Full Registration

Grand Dinner Only

Previous Airtourer Association Events

As well as the annual Convention and the President's Fly-ins, the Airtourer Association hosts a number of other social and flying events. There is a mid-year and end-of-year lunch in Victoria, and a now annual Formation Camp in Yarrawonga in November. The Association also has ground displays at the Avalon Airshow, and participates in other airshows including AusFly (where Andrew Temby displayed VH-FVV in a beautiful aerobatic sequence).

Check out a video of the Aircruiser in flight from our 2024 President's Fly-in to Goondiwindi.

The Association also publishes the Airtourer Association Newsletter six times per year, and has a discounted insurance arrangement for members through Agile.

The main Airtourer Association Web site is at https://www.airtourer.asn.au/

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