Ballina Aero Club was formed in 1928 and had a role in the impressive 1928 centenary celebrations for Ballina. (Centenary of the discovery of the Richmond River in 1828.) The airfield was parallel to Owen Street (in the area now used as playing fields) and remained in limited use until the early 1970’s, although the Licence had lapsed in 1940’s.

The Council granted the Aero Club a parcel of land to erect a Clubhouse in response to the work carried out by members in the establishment of the aerodrome.

The aerodrome was given a B Class grading in 1931 which entitled the Council to charge for its use and the charges were set at 2/6 (25 cents) for a single landing or 10/- ($1) for a series of landings. Notices warning land owners about allowing cattle to stray onto the area were erected.

Little is known of the Ballina Aero Club during those years from 1928 to 1950's and it is believed that the Club did not actively operate until reactivated in 1976. There is information to suggest that Ballina Flying School was formed on 14th August, 1929 but ceased operation prior to December 1930.

In 1976 Ballina Airpark private airfield was opened at West Ballina and Richmond Aviation (Ballina) Pty Ltd was commenced as a charter service operated by Gary Faulks and John Wall (former TAA pilot) and was probably  the first air charter licence based in Ballina.

Richmond Aviation conducted regular holiday aerial beach patrols broadcast over Radio 2 LM during the years 1976-1992.

Ballina Aero Club was reactivated as Ballina Pilots Association in 1976 by Gary Faulks (Secretary) Roger Ibbotson (President) and John Wall (Chief Pilot) and was renamed Ballina Aero Club in 1980. Ballina Aero Club was incorporated in NSW under the Incorporations Act in 1990.

In 1979 Council Shire Council granted Ballina Pilots Association a block of land adjoining Ballina Airpark (now occupied by Five Star Car Sales)  for the housing of a retired RAAF aircraft (which had been granted to the Pilots Association by the RAAF) The concept was to start an aviation museum. Due to the high cost of transporting the large aircraft by road from Townville the project faltered.

 With the opening of Ballina Airport in 1986, Ballina Airpark closed in early 1987 and the current clubhouse was officially opened at Ballina Airport by Councillor Keith Johnson Shire President on 10th November, 1990 and  operated there until removed in 2010.

In respect to the siting of the Aero Clubhouse at Ballina Airport, Council granted the Ballina Aero Club a site for the clubhouse and when the time approached for the Clubhouse to be transported to the airport, the hangar site leased by Faulks Richardson and Golding was offered by them as a site for the clubhouse on the basis that extra land was available on their leased area and not likely to be required in the foreseeable future by them and the rent charged by Council for the land (Lot 5) was not excessive.

On 6^th December, 1983 Ballina Ultralight Flying Club was formed with Mike Riall elected Chairman, Bob Russell as Secretary/Treasurer and Wayne Fisher was the first Flying Instructor. The Ballina Ultralight Club obtained the use of land at Wardell in 1988 from Council as a landing area and this continued until vandalism and public liability  insurance created problems in continuing there, so the Ballina Ultralight Club amalgamated with Ballina Aero Club Inc and their funds ($1409.98) transferred to the Aero Club in 2003.

Ballina Aero Club clubhouse was removed in August 2009 and a new building commenced in 2011 on land leased from Council.

Presidents of Ballina Aero Club Inc (Ballina Pilots Association) have included

Roger Ibbotson 1976-1986 Foundation President Ballina Pilots Association

Gary Faulks 1986/1992( Also Foundation Secretary Ballina Pilots Assoc.)

Margaret Dahl 1992/1993

Julie Memory 1993/1995

Rob Mc Arthur 1995/1996

Ian M Lord 1996/97

Robert Goodie 1997( Bob died in an aircraft crash)

Jeff Harris 2002/2003

Bob Russell 2003/2007

Gary Faulks 2008/

The reference to the 1928 Ballina Aero Club is contained in the book Across Three Bridges 1983 by Cliff Murray and no further detailed information is available. Any information from other sources would be welcomed.