Warbird Visitor Attraction for Scone NSW

Warbirds Online recently attended a public information and consultation session on the Scone Regional Airport upgrade. The meeting was held on 20th September 2019 to inform the local community about the progress being made on the upgrade and listen to stakeholder feedback on the works at the airport.

Update March 2022: The Hunter Warbirds Aviation attraction at Scone NSW is now open.  Go to their website at https://www.hunterwarbirds.com.au/ to find out more information.

Of specific interest is the construction of a new Warbird Visitor Attraction and Terminal building. The Warbird Visitor Attraction is a large 40 by 80 meter Museum complex built to the latest standards for Aviation Museums. The space is designed to accommodate approximately 15 aircraft and is configured in such a way as to allow for the easy access to exhibits so that they can be flown regularly without the need to constantly move multiple aircraft to extract a specific aircraft.

The Warbird Visitor Attraction will house aircraft from the Scone based Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) collection as well as other aircraft sourced for the attraction. There is an intention to have a large number of flying aircraft housed in the attraction as well as some static aircraft. VFR will also continue their restoration of aircraft in their facility which is in close proximity so there will be more aircraft of interest to enthusiasts and the attraction will also house a range of Aviation exhibits and artifacts.

The theme of the attraction will be centered on Australian Military Fighter and training aircraft from WW1 up to the present, although it will also have other exhibits of relevance to the Upper Hunter area.  The rework of the airfield will also result in greater safety and convenience to the operation of Warbirds as well as expanded and upgraded apron, main taxiway, flood lighting, drainage, aircraft wash bays, refueling system, fencing, car-parking, and power supply.

Again as the press release noted “The Aviation Visitor Attraction will be one of only a few in the world to offer the opportunity for joy flights in World War II aircraft and ‘behind the scenes’ viewing of aircraft restoration work.  It will be an all-year-round attraction building on the popularity of the Warbirds over Scone Airshow.”

The attraction is fully funded and preliminary works and setup proceeding from now until December and construction of the building from January 2020 until completion in September 2020. To celebrate the opening an Airshow is planned for the completion of works next year. This is great news for Warbird enthusiasts the world over as it will attract yet more Warbird activity to this rapidly growing regional facility. Regular flying days and Airshows will be a real attraction as will the Museum itself with regular turnover of exhibits to refresh the visitor experience. The Business model for the attraction was deliberately conservative and should easily exceed expectations.

The refreshing aspect of this whole project was that it has the support of all three tiers of Government as well as overwhelming local community support. It is hoped that this commitment will be met with the attraction of other Warbird operations to a facility where they are welcomed.

The upgrade is fully funded and is set to proceed within the next few weeks with  components for the Scone Regional Airport upgrade described by the Upper Hunter Shire Council as “including new drainage and rehabilitation of the runway surface, and new airside lighting, funded by Council. This essential work was identified in the 2019 Annual Safety Inspection and must be undertaken to allow the airport to continue to operate.”

This work will include a complete resurfacing of the runway, new taxiway and other upgrades to satisfy all regulatory requirements. It will also include new security and animal proof fencing as well as appropriate landscaping and access improvements.  The work will also improve the safety and access to the airport for the nearly 5,000 landings per year currently made including the work of the Fire Fighting aircraft.  Also critical and lifesaving aviation emergency services including Air Ambulance, Westpac Helicopter, Child Flight, Rural Fire Service and NSW Police are operated . Three registered flying schools operate from the airport providing pilot training for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and other emergency services. The Airport is also part of the Airservices Backup Navigational Network which provides essential safety support to aircraft within the Scone flight path.

Warbirds Online will continue to follow the progress in this “Good News” story.

For more detail see the links to local press releases on this facility: –

http://upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/your-council/media/news/scone-regional-airport-upgrade-moves-forward.aspx

https://www.sconeadvocate.com.au/story/6279496/scone-airports-future-safeguarded/

Update March 2022: The Hunter Warbirds Aviation attraction at Scone NSW is now open.  Go to their website at https://www.hunterwarbirds.com.au/ to find out more information.

© John Parker 2019