VH-AAA Australian Aircraft Registration Details

Here are the Australian aviation rego search results for 'VH-AAA'.
The aircraft registration database was last refreshed from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 29/Apr/2025

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3 comments for VH-AAA below

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Aircraft Type

Manufacturer:	DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT COMPANY
Model:	DH-83
Serial:	DHA6

Holder/Operator

Holder Name:	BUNN, Robert Archibald
Holder Commence Date:	15/02/1994

Airframe

Year of Manufacture:	1938
Country of Manufacture:	Australia
First Registered Date:	15/02/1994
Airframe:	Power Driven Aeroplane
Landing Gear:

Engines

No. Engines:	1
Manufacturer:	DE HAVILLAND ENGINE COMPANY LTD
Type:	Piston
Model:	GIPSY MAJOR(DE HAVL)
Fuel:	Gasoline

Propeller

Manufacturer:	METALIC FIXED PITCH PROPELLER - MANUFACT. & MODEL NOT IDENTIFIED
Model:	FIXED PITCH PROPELLER (FP)

Certification

Certification Type:
CDA Data A:
CDA Data B:
CDA Data C:

Comments

The Collection

8th November 2012 10:25:17 AM

This Fox Moth was one of two constructed by De Havillands at Mascot, N.S.W. Whilst having the registration VH-AAA, it was NOT the first aircraft on the "A" 'register . . . but it was the first aircraft I flew in! It was registered on 23 February 1938, but in 1949, when considerable changes were being made to the use of radio call-signs on a world-wide basis, the group "AAA" was in conflict with international codes and had to be changed. The Bush Church Aid Society asked for VH-BCA, but as that had already been allotted, the Department of Civil Aviation advised that VH-BYA had been issued . . . a compromise was reached and VH-CAS ("Church Aid Society") was formally issued on 28 September 1949.

As with most Government Departments, it did take a while for the "penny to drop"! The registration block VH-CAA to VH-CAZ had - of course - been reserved for the D.C.A. itself . . . so the Fox Moth was once more re-registered, this time as VH-GAS, on 16 June 1950. It saw service with several owners until it was withdrawn from use and cancelled from the 'register in October 1962.

Whilst being flown un-registered on 12 January 1963, on "Yanco" Station, nr. Rockdale, N.S.W. the Fox Moth hit power lines and was wrecked - pilot P. Mathews and passenger were injured and the aircraft also. It eventually found its' way into the hands of Robert Bunn, to whom it was re-registered as VH-AAA once again on 15 February 1994 . . . apparently as a long-term rebuild project.

The Collector

Dasher

11th September 2012 8:49:40 PM

Big Oops!

I posted this comment against the wrong Aircraft, now to re-post on the correct one......

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Dasher was here....

Dasher

30th August 2012 4:28:51 PM

This Aircraft Rego was the one that ditched near Norfolk Island. The ATSB have just released their final report:

On 18 November 2009, the flight crew of an Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124A aircraft, registered VH-NGA, was attempting a night approach and landing at Norfolk Island on an aeromedical flight from Apia, Samoa. On board were the pilot in command and copilot, and a doctor, nurse, patient and one passenger.

On arrival, weather conditions prevented the crew from seeing the runway or its visual aids and therefore from landing. The pilot in command elected to ditch the aircraft in the sea before the aircraft's fuel was exhausted. The aircraft broke in two after ditching. All the occupants escaped from the aircraft and were rescued by boat.

Source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau

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Dasher was here....