If you’ve ever fancied a joy flight, or love watching air displays and aerobatics, this weekend’s Great Eastern Fly-in at Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome is for you.

Saturday and Sunday will see market and food stalls, displays from car clubs, Star Wars characters, vintage aircraft, giant models and drones. 

For the past 19 years, the Fly-in has brought life back to the historic 80 year old aerodrome, which was the largest training base during World War 2 (WW2).

Read more about pilot Bill Kiernan, who has lived through two wars and now teaches people to fly - in our Sunday Profile, this Sunday, January 12.

RAAF training aircraft Winjeels and CT4.

The Great Eastern Fly-in coordinator Gai Taylor said before the Fly-in began in 1992, the aerodrome “was looking sad and sorry”.

“So, the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome committee fixed it up and started running a fly in every year on veteran’s weekend for pilots to have a good time and meet up - and it’s progressed from there,” she said.

“Richmond Valley Council helped us to fix the runways and we have well-tended camping areas too. 

“We do it to keep the aerodrome as an ongoing aviation centre for flying – it’s a memorial airport that opened in 1940, so this year is its 80th anniversary – and we’ll have a few veterans here.”

Gai said the aerodrome committee successfully applied in 2000 to have the aerodrome heritage listed in NSW. 

“Over 5000 people trained here and thousands supported them – everyone from cooks, cleaners, aviation mechanics to parachute packers,” she said.

 WAAAFS at RAAF Station Evans Head in WW2.

“Women couldn’t train in the Royal Australian Air Force in WW2, so the women joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAAAFS) and would drive trucks and clean dunnies – it was a big effort.”

Gai said the Great Eastern Fly-in was a great event to help celebrate history and promote all aspects of aviation.

“We have about 50 volunteers helping to put the event on,” she said. 

“It’s a community event and anybody can come and give a donation at the gate – we will be giving 10% of all funds raised to the Rural Fires Service (RFS).

“Woodburn RFS will be here on site on the day and we’ll have heritage museum displays of model aircraft, including giant three metre models and drones.

“On Sunday morning, the local pre-schoolers will be having a paper plane making and throwing competition and throwing and everyone can join in.  

“There will be people dressed up as Star Wars characters and they will raise money for Angel Flights by asking for donations for a photo.” 

Bell 47 – helicopter.



If you are interested in taking a joy flight on the day you can visit the website or just turn up on the day. 

“There is a joy flight for everybody’s taste,” Gai said. “Fly the family over the beach and spot the dolphins, feel the breeze in your hair, thrill seekers can fly upside-down and, for that once in a life-time adventure, experience the raw power of a genuine Warbird.

“There are different aircraft to choose from and prices vary from $80 -$480.”

The markets open at 8am on Saturday, January 10 and 9am Sunday, January 11 and aerobatic displays begin at 10am.

A shuttle bus will be available to Evans Head town centre, beaches, local sites and off-site accommodation.