By Michael Doran
Lilydale Airport is celebrating 50 years of continous operation.
Entrepreneur and motor racing identity, Bib StilIwell, opened the business in 1968 to serve the Yarra Valley and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Neroli and Roger Merridew took over in 1982.
“It was going broke and Roger, who was a keen flyer, wanted to find a way to keep it going,” Neroli said.
“When we took it over it was really just a small flying school and not much else.
“Since then a lot has changed, and we now have five businesses operating here.
“We have the flying school, air charters, vintage airways, skydiving and archery club.
“The flying school has got a lot bigger and is now the main business of the airport.
“There is a growing interest from people coming in wanting to get their private pilot licence and this is a perfect place to do that.”
Its location in Yering gives pilots quick access into the air with no tarmac delays.
“An hour flying here is all in the air, not wasted on the ground,” Neroli said.
“We get a lot of people who want to learn at their own pace, who may not want to be professional pilots but just want to go solo.
“There are the young ones still at school who think they want to get a career in aviation and start here to see how they like it.
“Then there are the young, successful business types who have always had an interest in flying and now have the resources to pursue it.
“And thirdly are the over-50s who have always thought about learning to fly but never had the time or money, but now they do.”
Neroli said it had been satisfying to see this business develop and to take people on airtours to some of the most beautiful and remote places in Australia.
“Yarra Valley Aviation, our air charter service, can fly anywhere in Australia at anytime,“ operations manager Jonathan Merridew said.
“We have Pilatus PC-12 aircraft that can fly eight passengers to Sydney in just 90 minutes and go anywhere in Australia with just one stop.“
For those looking for a personalised experience, Yarra Valley Aviation has put together 10 of its most popular adventure packages.
These include the Feel the G-force aerobatic experience for thrill seekers, wine tasting and lunch at Brown Brothers, King Island indulgences, or a mountain bike trek from Mount Beauty to Mount Hotham.
