A willingness to promote flying training and recreational aviation in the Whitsundays by the inaugural president of the club, Ivan Conway, led to the inaugural meeting held in July 1998 at the Catalina Bistro Bar (now the Fly-In Cafe) located at Whitsunday Airport. It was decided at this meeting to form the "Airlie Beach Aero Club".
The club was incorporated in October 1998 and had twenty two members (at that time), eight of whom own their own aircraft.
Times change and people move on, by the end of 2000 only four or five of those members remained, so the club was put into recess.
In 2008 there was interest shown in having an aeroclub in the area, so with some of the old members and lots of new members the club was reformed.
With meetings held each month (look under events in the forum for the next one) at the Fly-In Cafe or a members hangar it's a great way to met like minded people.

Airlie Beach, without doubt the social centre of the Whitsundays, is a bustling village nestled between the steep mountains of Conway National Park and the sparkling blue waters of the Coral sea and the nearby beautiful Whitsunday Islands all easily reached by either sea plane, helicopter, launch or why not hire a yacht and sail yourself around the islands.
With plenty of budget accommodation (including many backpacker hostels) and its close proximity to beach and hinterland activities, it's the perfect Fly-In base for exploring the Whitsundays. The airport at Shute Harbour offers parking, tie down areas, Avgas and Avtur is also available. See details of the Whitsunday airport by selecting the Whitsunday Airport link on the links page.
On the main street of Airlie Beach you'll find everything you need: banks, post office, souvenirs, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs - many of which feature live entertainment every night of the week. On Saturdays, there's a market on the foreshore selling everything from local arts and crafts to fresh produce.
At Airlie Beach you're close to every activity the Whitsundays has to offer. You can dive, sail, snorkel, swim and cruise the islands or reef. If you're after some real action, you could try sky diving, scenic flights or you can even feed the crocodiles. Or if you want something a little more subdued, try horse riding or 4WD rainforest touring - it's all nearby.
No matter what time of year you visit Airlie Beach, you'll find it a great place to stay and relax or it can be a wicked place to party.