The event will feature the Freedom to Fly Aerobatic Display Team routine from 12pm to 1pm along with joy flights with Red Baron, whose chief pilot is aerobatic champion Joel Haski.

And the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will bring their flight simulator and tour coach.

Special guests include pilot Michael Smith, whose been named the Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

It will be a return to the venue after his solo circumnavigation around the world in a seaplane in 2015 included a stopover at Rylstone Airpark before the final leg en route to Melbourne.

They’ll also welcome Richard de Crespigny AM, who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia after he piloted flight QF32 into Singapore after an engine explosion severely damaged the aircraft in 2010.

“In the past we’ve had what’s called an open day barbecue fly in,” organiser Rob Loneragan said.

“People who own planes like an opportunity to get out and go for an hour’s flight somewhere but have some purpose or reason for doing it.

“So the Rylstone/Kandos Volunteer Rescue Association would put on the barbecue out here and everyone would come in, have a steak sandwich, kick tyres, say g’day to mates, and at 2pm they’d say ‘it’s time to go home’.

“What we’ve decided to do is raise the bar.”

Mr Loneragan said that a lot of people are being turned away from flying by mounting bureaucracy, but he wants to get back to what people love about it by “firing up the spirit of aviation”.

“That’s why it’s the ‘celebration of aviation’,” he said.

“It’s an open, free day to just come and talk about aviation and stimulate it and just enjoy aeroplanes and flying. Okay, there are tough things out there and challenges for all of us but we can also celebrate and enjoy it, and be here to have a good day together.”

The Rylstone-Kandos Volunteer Rescue Association will once again be running the barbecue on the day. More info at rylstoneaerodrome.com.au/events/