Royal Queensland Aero Club - original base Archerfield Airport Claimed

Royal Queensland Aero Club (RQAC) was the oldest Aero Club in the Southern Hemisphere. Unfortunately the club, which has always been based at Archerfield, went into administration in 2016 and was liquidated by the administrators.

The club's assets have been purchased by an aviation enthusiast and businessman at Archerfield and is expected to be revived in some way in the near future.

First known as the Australian Aero Club Queensland Section, RQAC was formed in June 1910.

Following World War I in 1919 the Australian Aero Club  Queensland Section commenced flying training.

In 1920 the Australian Aero Club Queensland Section was renamed to the Queensland Aero Club and this continued until 1935 when Royal Charter was granted and the title became Royal Queensland Aero Club.

Golden Age of Aviation

The Patron of the Royal Queensland Aero Club is the duly appointed Governor of Queensland. Probably the two most identifiable members of the Club have been Bert Hinkler and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.  The Club has always catered to the flying aspirations of men and women alike, one of the more prominent lady members being Mrs Lores Bonney in the early 1940s.

In 1920, QAC was granted a licence by the government to carry passenger and engage in aerial work (preceding Qantas by some months!).

The first suitable training aircraft were imported by QANTAS who set up flying schools at Longreach and Eagle Farm, Brisbane. The latter centre operated by Chief Flying Instructor Captain Lester Brain, who was also a well known member of QAC.

1928 Aerodrome site Hangar 2, at Archerfield was purchased for flight training operations.
1929 QAC commenced flight training in Queensland under contract with Qantas.
1931 Eagle Farm airport closed and facilities transferred to Archerfield Airport Hangar 1.
1935 Royal Charter was granted resulting in the title 'Royal Queensland Aero Club'.

World War II: 1940 Hangars, aircraft, and instructors seconded by RAAF No. 2 Empire Flight Training School, Archerfield. Civil Flying ceased due to WWII.

Post War:
1945 RQAC resumed operations out of Hangar 1, with administration located in the Terminal building.
1964 Construction of RQAC premises commenced (later housing reception, operations, and the Airline Academy of Australia).
1966 Current clubhouse officially opened
1984 Hangar 1  purchased from the Commonwealth
1986 Awarded the Sword of Honour by the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators
1990 ATAE Engineering Training School developed
1995 Airline Academy of Australia commenced
2010 RQAC flying operations return to Hangar 1. RQAC Club Lounge opened

Learn to Fly
RQAC offered a range of Certificate and Diploma courses, including a Certificate IV in Aviation (Commercial Pilot Aeroplane Licence) and the Diploma in Aviation (Instrument Flight Operations) courses. RQAC was a flying training provider for the Griffith University Aviation Degree courses.

The former RQAC premises have been taken over by leading Australian flight training group, Basair, which also operates the live-in aviation training campus located near the Main Terminal building.