Pain of passion

The sight, sound and smell of vintage aircraft coughing to life stir the passions of anyone who takes a serious interest in aviation.

The chance to walk across a hangar floor dodging oil dripping from radial engines is both fascination and love, but to fly the aircraft that have played an important role in shaping Australia’s rich aviation heritage is altogether the stuff of dreams.

But be under no illusion – it’s not as romantic as it sounds. In fact, the operation of old aircraft is akin to running a business for all the regulatory, accountability and organisational demands it brings.