“Benalla with its weather and the landscape around it is a fantastic playground, the club with its facilities and equipment a near perfect setup“. Michael Sommer, three times World Champion and GCV member.
“A thoroughly professional bunch and what a facility to fly at too! Great aircraft, clubhouse, airfield but what really made it was the friendly welcome that ALL of the GCV members gave me, many of which I would now call good friends.” Rob Rose, UK

Great club

• Largest club in Australia.
• In our 94th year of operations.
• Friendly and supportive club atmosphere.
• Welcoming and friendly social environment.
• International Flavour with many Northern Hemisphere repeat visitors.
• 7-days a week operations in Soaring season.
• Weekend club operations year round.

Great Fleet

• Two tugs for rapid launching.
• Four two-seaters for all forms of training – 2 ASK21s plus a DG1001s and Duo Discus for advanced soaring training.
• Five single-seaters: Junior, LS3, 2 x LS4, LS7.
• all club aircraft FLARM-equipped for improved safety.
• 70+ private sailplanes based at Benalla.

Great facilities

• Large, safe airfield with separate glider & power runways (low power traffic levels).
• Lots of hangars including limited space to hire for short to medium term.
• Good tie-down facilities.
• Large, fully equipped club-house.
• Broadband Internet access across clubhouse, Aero Park and Accommodation.
• Auxiliary equipment for hire – parachutes, Spot loggers, etc.
• Daily weather and tasking briefing using up to date weather data and leading edge soaring forecasting models adapted for our region offer the best task choices for the day.
• All SPOT-equipped aircraft tracked in real time for improved safety.
• Flight simulator for training and fun.
• Fully staffed maintenance facilities with licensed on-site power and sailplane engineer.

Great flying

• Whether you are into local soaring, novice cross country, racing cross-country or touring, there will be others doing the same.
• Comprehensive 09.00 daily briefing means you pick your best task (and team up with others doing the same) in plenty of time to get ready.
• Real-time trigger temperature monitoring for picking when to launch.
• Priority launching for the cross-country “great white fleet” at the appropriate time gets you airborne when you want.
• Minimal airspace restrictions – none within 50km below 8,500′ and generally FL125 elsewhere.
• Almost unrestricted choice of directions to fly.
• Informal local IGC-based daily competition so you can see how good you are.
• Aerotow paddock retrieves generally available most days.
• Check out the most recent flights from Benalla on WE-GLIDE.

Great weather

• Summer days typically 25-40 deg C with light winds and scattered cumulus.
• November and December have more unstable weather.
• January through March have typically drier and hotter days.
• Far enough South to avoid sub-tropical weather and storms.
• Far enough inland to avoid sea-breezes almost altogether.
• Long daylight hours for extended tasks.
• Visit our weather pages..

Great terrain

• Benalla’s location is ideal for thermal soaring at whatever level of task you choose to do.
• Wide open plains to the north and west (elevations generally below 1,000ft; or 300m) and 10,000ft (3,300m) days in the hot summer season provide opportunities for big distances over these very safe areas.
• To the east and south the mountains of the Great Divide give exhilarating flying with strong thermal and wave conditions starting only 25km away.
• Desert country to North-West and North (200+km).
• Learn more here.

Great clubhouse and social atmosphere

• Inside dining and bar area for up to 110 people.
• Large and fully stocked bar at club prices.
• Attractive shaded outdoor area with barbecues and pizza ovens.
• Self-catering kitchen facilities.
• Onsite accommodation for single and dual occupancy.
• Modern computer equipment accessible to all.
• Quiet room with TV, DVD and video.
• Lounge area with good set of books and magazines.
• Great facilities for families and partners and children.

City of Benalla right next door

• Walking distance to city shops & motels. 
• Lots to do for non-flyers and on non-flying days.
• Wineries.
• Superb modern regional Art gallery.
• Ned Kelly history at Glenrowan.
• Motor racing at Winton.
• Ski-fields.

Affordable for all

• Club-based pricing – no annoying and expensive surcharges every time you turn around or touch something.
• Credit card facilities (no surcharges).
• Check our prices.

Easy To Get Here
Australia’s second-busiest international airport just 2 hours drive away
​Melbourne Airport