Australian Light Aircraft Championships 2026

The Australian Light Aircraft Championships are an annual competition for non-professional pilots from all over the country, run by the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia and a hosting Aero Club.

This iconic Australian event has been held annually in every Australian state since 1957, and the Latrobe Valley Aero Club has been nominated to host the Championships to be staged at the Latrobe Regional Airport in 2026.

The Latrobe Valley Aero Club was established in 1949. We are located at the Latrobe Regional Airport, 160km east of Melbourne and are a Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved Flying School.

Latrobe Valley Aero Club’s goal is to promote aviation throughout Gippsland.

The primary activities of the Aero Club are flight training and aircraft rental to Club Members. The Club employs experienced, professional flight instructors and support staff, owns its own fleet of training and rental aircraft and has a comfortable clubhouse incorporating well equipped flying school facilities.

The highly competitive Australian Light Aircraft Championships bring together aviators from across Australia for a series of competitions that showcase precision, safety, and excellence in flying. The event has traditionally been restricted to General Aviation (‘VH’ registered) aircraft and pilots, but for this year, the event will also welcome pilots from Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus).

During the Championships we will test the skills of pilots in forced landing, spot landing, streamer cutting, formation flying and aerobatics in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs Australia (RFACA).

Forced Landing – The objective of the Forced Landing Competition is to land the aircraft on a marked area of the runway following a simulated engine failure whilst carrying out the checks and drills as specified by the RFACA Rules and Regulations.

Spot Landing – The objective of the Spot Landing Competition is to fly a low level circuit and land on a marked area of the runway whilst carrying out the checks and drills as specified by the RFACA Rules and Regulations.

Streamer Cutting – Each competitor shall attempt to cut two streamers consecutively with the same air judge. Each competitor shall aim to cut each streamer four times in the least elapsed time without descending below 1000 ft. Further details are outlined in the RFACA Rules and Regulations.

Formation Flying – Each team shall consist of three aircraft.  Teams will be judged on their performance from engine start until shut down, unless otherwise advised at the formation pilots briefing. Further details are outlined in the RFACA Rules and Regulations.

Aerobatics – There will be two levels of Aerobatic Competitions; Level 1: Graduate, Level 2: Sportsman.  All Aerobatic Competitions are conducted in accordance with the RFACA Rules and Regulations and the Australian Aerobatic Club Rules and Regulations.

Competition flying, which is a proven method of improving a pilot’s standards and maintaining currency, is widely promoted throughout Australia by the RFACA. These Championships are the only National Flying event of their type, encompassing all facets of powered aircraft flying.

The ALAC’s winners will be presented with their awards at the Presentation Dinner being held on Saturday 11th April 2026.

For further information and to submit your participant entry form, please click on the button below…