"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return"
- Leonardo da Vinci

So what is Recreational Flying
Recreational flying is all about flying an aircraft that is simpler, cheaper and for your own personal enjoyment. The planes cost less – you can soar through the sky piloting an aircraft that is hired from a club or friend, buy your very own fully factory built aircraft or enjoy the fun and challenge of building an aircraft yourself from a plan or kit before you take to the sky in an aircraft that is a result of all your own effort. Pilot training and licensing is simpler and easier – most people can expect to easily become a pilot and the hours they complete flying a recreational aircraft can be cross credited to a general aviation (GA) aircraft Private Pilots Licence (PPL). You can maintain your own aircraft and engine yourself and training and flying activities are usually based around clubs, so everyone can share, learn and you don't have to own an aircraft to fly one.

What is a Recreational Aircraft?
Well, if you asked a non-flying member of the general public you may hear "flying one of those small ultralight aeroplanes with a lawn mower engine" or "a hang glider with a seat and small motor". There isn’t any international standard of what a recreational aircraft is but here in Australia, the birth place of the light recreational aircraft, we have some clear definitions of what constitutes a recreational aircraft.

A recreational aircraft can be the most basic flying machine made out of wood or tube aluminium covered in cloth like material right up to high tech/high performance factory built cruising machines that will make your average Cessna look like an underpowered brick. The common factors are that they are powered by a single engine, are light – up to 600kg maximum take off weight (MTOW) or 614 kg if floats are fitted, have a maximum of 2 seats, have valid registration by the governing body Recreational Aviation Australia and are fun and easy to fly.

What Now?
Have a look around this website as it was created as a place for recreational pilots, aircraft owners or simply anyone interested in recreational flying to come together, learn more, swap stories, help each other etc. If you have any questions no matter how small or big, how simple of complicated, ask them in the discussion forum of the site – never feel that a question may be stupid or silly as you will always be treated with respect here and there will always be people here that will gladly offer you any help or advice they can.

"Everyone wants to fly, they just don't know it yet"