BATHURST Aero Club has welcomed the youngest member in its history - and he might one day go on to help meet the world's pilot shortage.
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Five aviation fans joined the club when it held a recent night for new members, but it was 13-year-old Lachlan Pendarakis who stood out for his tender age.
Board member David Druitt, who has been a member of the club for more than 50 years, says despite cracking over 130 members, the club wants more young people to join, because jobs are in high supply but pilots are not.
"There's never been a better time to become a pilot - we have a worldwide shortage," Mr Druitt said.
During his time, Mr Druitt has been impressed with the careers some fresh talents have enjoyed after learning to fly in Bathurst.
"Past members have gone on to fly for the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and big international airlines," Mr Druitt said.
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The club supports school-aged kids to fly and there's no shortage of opportunities as they have a choice of three of the airstrip's flying schools.
Some students are too young to have their driver's licence, but can handle a plane with ease.
"We've had a few young people come through and when they want to take their parents up, they [the parents] have to drive them to the airport before their kid takes them for a flight," he said.
Two members were awarded a prestigious lifetime membership on the evening: the club's president John Nicoll and Frank Wells, who's been a member since the late 60s.
"It's really quite an achievement to get one of them; very few people have one," Mr Druitt said.
During the 81-year-old club's most recent trip, one of many of its social events, 18 members and their friends flew eight aircraft to see the Marree Man and Queensland's floodwaters at Lake Eyre in South Australia.
"It was a great experience. We had members a year ago trying to find the Marree Man and couldn't, so we were very pleased," Mr Druitt said.
The Bathurst Aero Club welcomes those young and old who want to join, learn to fly and meet like-minded people.
