About HULC
Holbrook Ultralight Club was one of the first ultralight aircraft clubs to be established in Australia and has continued to be at the forefront of ultralight aviation since that time.
Where it all began
The idea of forming an ultralight club at Holbrook was initially conceived in early 1985 by Bryan Gabriel and Dave Knight, as a means of supporting the newly formed Holbrook Airpark, with the intention of forming a network of similar clubs in the region. However the Holbrook Club was to prove so popular that the grand plan of the club network never eventuated.
The concept of an ultralight club on the Airfield at Holbrook was floated past a number of local identities, which included recently retired ex-RAAF Wing Commander Mick Parer who had, among other things, been the Chief Flying Instructor at the RAAF No. 1 Flying Training School. Needless to say the idea was met with considerable enthusiasm.
Holbrook Ultralight Club (HULC) was formed later that year, beginning with just one aircraft, a Chinook, to which a Cessna 150 was added later that year.
Bryan purchased a Thruster Gemini in September 1986 and Mick Parer became HULC's Chief Flying Instructor in early 1987. Over the subsequent two years Mick, together with Flying Instructors Mike George, Dick Greaves and Harry Walton conducted flight training at Holbrook, which proved to be very popular.
It was through flight training that HULC gained momentum and from an initial start of just a dozen local members the Club's popularity increased rapidly. By 1988 the number of ultralight aircraft within the Club had increased from one to twenty plus, which included the Club's own single seaters, a Jeep and a Javelin. By 1990 the Club had grown to more that 100 members.
HULC's membership was boosted by an enthusiastic group of ultralight aviators who travelled from Melbourne to Holbrook most weekends to fly the Club's aircraft or their own, which were by then hangared at Holbrook. this was due to the excellent flying conditions Holbrook provided, especially compared to typical Melbourne and coastal weather.
By 1990 HULC had attracted members from every Australian state, with the exception of the Northern Territory. This resulted in a wide range of ultralight aircraft being based at Holbrook and a diverse range of skills and experience within the Club's membership. The aircraft types included Thruster, Airborne Trike, Chinook, Jeep, Javelin, Quicksilver, Skydart, Flightstar, Pterodactyl, J-3 Kitten, Wheeler Scout, Sapphire, Eagle, Vampire, SV Thermite and Farm-mate, Hummel Bird and a lone Beech Musketeer.
Another factor that contributed to the popularity of Holbrook as an ultralight aviation mecca was the fact that the Airfield was one of the first to be set up as a bit of an ultralight aviation one-stop-shop with hangarage, flight training, on-site accommodation, aircraft maintenance, aircraft manufacture and aircraft sales all being available on the Airfield. Holbrook was also one of the first, if not the first, to offer Airpark style freehold title to land on the Airfield, allowing both hangar and residential development.
HULC was the first to purchase land on the Council subdivision on the Airfield, in late 1989, and its 30 meter x 15 meter hangar was all but completed in time to host the inaugural Australian Ultralight National Fly-in (now RA-Aus NatFly), which was held at the Holbrook Airfield in April 1990, which was another first for HULC.
In August 1999 HULC sold its hangar and purchased what was the original Airfield hangar and in doing so completed the full circle by returning to the very place that the concept of the Club was conceived.
Holbrook Ultralight Club Today
HULC has moved with the times and these days you will find, in addition to the "pioneer" ultralight aircraft mentioned above, fine examples of the modern general of ultralights such as the J-6 Karatoo, Kitfox, Skyranger, Jabiru, Tecnam P92 Echo, Supapup, Hummel Bird, Skyfox, Gazelle, Bantam and several examples of RANS aircraft including the S4 and S6 Coyote, S16 Shekari, S19 Ventera and S20 Raven.
Holbrook Ultralight Club is affiliated with Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) and membership of HULC provides access to a vibrant, active group of dedicated enthusiasts who have a wealth of ultralight experience behind them and continue to enjoy building, maintaining and flying ultralight aircraft from the comfort of their own hangar and facilities.
Facilities
HULC has freehold title to its own land, on the Airfield, and its facilities, which includes a large hangar, complete with training facilities and workshop area, a generous clubroom with fully equipped kitchen and covered outdoor balcony area and three motel style units for use by members, their guests and the Club's student pilots.
The Club's hangar is the focal point of the Airfield and is services by a sealed apron and sealed taxiways.
For the land-based visitor, HULC's hangar and clubroom facilities will be the first building you will notice when entering the Airfield. Visitors are most welcome.
Club Meetings
HULC holds it meetings on the first Saturday of each month rain, hail or shine. Meetings commence at 10.30am and are held in the clubroom at the Airfield (see the Club Meeting page for meeting dates) and HULC hosts a BBQ lunch at midday following each meeting. Visitors are most welcome to attend the meetings and the after-meeting lunch and activities.
If you are thinking of trying any aspect of ultralight aviation, coming along to one of HULC's monthly meetings is a good place to start. HULC's members have a collective wealth of experience and knowledge in all aspects of ultralight aviation and are only too willing to help. Whether it's building, buying, owning, maintaining or flying the members are more than happy to help and provide assistance to the newcomer.
Interested in joining HULC and want to know how? Initially give the Secretary, Steve McIntosh, a call (0429 328 053) or simply come along to one of the monthly Club meetings. Additional contact details are listed on the Contact HULC page of this website. Membership fees are kept at a low and affordable level, as the Club's main aim is to promote and maintain interest in the sport of ultralight aviation. The current fees are detailed below.
2024 Membership Fees |
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| Initial joining fee: | $5.00 |
| Annual junior membership fee: | $30.00 |
| Annual individual membership fee: | $65.00 |
| Annual family membership fee: | $75.00 (excludes any family member, other than the principle member, who holds a pilot or student pilot certificate) |
Club Activities
HULC hosts a range of social activities intended to maximise your enjoyment of ultralight aviation. The Club generally conducts a fly-away to coincide with the monthly meetings an actively encourages trips away by member and friends between meetings where ever possible.
Activities range from a short hop to one of several locations within a short distance from the Airfield to longer day flights and weekend trips to other airfields or clubs. Participation varies from as few as five or six aircraft on a day trip to fifteen plus aircraft, and double the number of members, for a weekend away.
HULC hosts an annual fly-in, the "Holbrook Easter Fly-in", which attracts ultralight aircraft form all over NSW and Victoria. For more information see the Fly-in page.
HULC also invites other clubs and individual ultralight aviators to fly in to Holbrook and enjoy the Club's hospitality and the excellent flying conditions that the Holbrook region has to offer. For Club's wishing to visit Holbrook, meals and accommodation can be arranged with prior notice. For more information contact HULC (see Contact Us page).