Luskintyre Airfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luskintyre Airfield
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Private | ||||||||||||||
| Owner | Luskintyre Aviation Flying Museum | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Luskintyre, New South Wales | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 100 ft / 30 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 32°40′S 151°025′E / 32.667°S 151.417°E | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
 Luskintyre Airfield
Location in New South Wales
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Luskintyre Airfield is a private airport, also known as an aerodrome, located in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. It's about 19 kilometers northwest of the city of Maitland.
The airfield is home to the Luskintyre Aviation Flying Museum. This museum is famous for restoring vintage, or very old, airplanes. It is especially known for its work on de Havilland Tiger Moth planes. In fact, the museum has the largest group of working Tiger Moths in all of Australia. The airfield has five large buildings called hangars where planes are stored and repaired.
History and Fun Events
How the Airfield Began
Back in 1977, a group of pilots bought the land from a dairy farmer. They wanted to create their own special place to fly, fix, and enjoy old airplanes.
Later, a company that specialized in repairing classic de Havilland planes moved to the airfield. This company has been fixing up these historic aircraft in one of the hangars for over 30 years.
Flying Events and Visitors
The airfield has hosted many exciting events. In October 2003, Tiger Moths from Luskintyre took part in The Great Tiger Moth Air Race. This event was a celebration of 100 years of powered flight. In September 2010, the airfield held more flying displays to mark the 100th anniversary of the first de Havilland airplane.
A regular event called 'Lunch with the Tiger Moths' happens on the first Saturday of every month, as long as the weather is good. This is a great chance for visitors to see the Tiger Moths up close, both those that are ready to fly and those still being restored. People can also look at the museum's collection of aviation items.
Many pilots, from hobbyists to professionals, use the airfield. The famous aerobatic pilot Paul Bennet and his formation flying team, the SkyAces, often fly here.
A Tragic Accident
Sadly, a serious accident happened at the airfield on May 1, 1994. During a take-off for a special event, a Tiger Moth had an engine problem. The plane went into a spin and crashed. The pilot and a wing-walker who was performing with him did not survive. This event was a sad day for everyone at the airfield.
