Australia

06 October 2020

Civil Aviation Centenary

Technical Specifications:

Issue date: 6 October-2020
Issue withdrawal date: 30 April 2021
Denomination: $1.10 x 1, $2.20 x 1 (double definitive)
Illustration: Andrew Hopgood
Stamp typography: Jason Watts, Australia Post Design Studio
Product design: Keith Downes, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russel Red Phos
Paper: self-adhesive: Tullis Russell Red Phos P55 s/a
Printer: RA Printing
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 50 x 30
Minisheet size (mm): 135 x 80
Perforations: 14.4 x 14
Sheet layout: Module of 25 (no design)
FDI Postmark: Charleville QLD 4470
FDI withdrawal date: 4 November 2020

Organised and regulated civil aviation in Australia began with the passing of the Air Navigation Act, which received royal assent in December 1920. The Act and its regulations enabled support for flying training, building safe infrastructure, and surveying landing grounds and airmail routes. Rules of the air were established, and systems were developed, including for aircraft registration, inspection, airworthiness and licensing of personnel.

In 1921, the government called for tenders to operate airmail routes. These routes helped several early airlines to become viable operations. Qantas, which formed on 16 November 1920, evolved in this way, operating Queensland’s Charleville to Cloncurry mail route from 1922, before going on to become Australia’s major domestic and international airline; it was a government-owned carrier between 1947 and 1995.

Since 1995, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has held responsibility for regulating the safety of civil aircraft operations in Australian territory and Australian aircraft operating overseas.