.png)
.png)
QUICK FACTS
The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom's Patron is His Majesty King Charles III.
The Chair is Martin Soulsby, the Council Member representing British Skydiving.
The history of the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom dates back to 1901, when it was founded as a Club for balloonists and for 'the encouragement of aero auto-mobilism and ballooning as a sport.'
The Club is made up of member organisations and associations who are the national governing bodies of the major individual air sports in the UK. They each appoint a representative to the Governing Council.
The principal role of the Royal Aero Club is to co-ordinate, promote and protect all forms of recreational and competitive air sport in the UK, and to represent UK air sport internationally.
Directly and through member organisations and associations, the Club represents the interests of many tens of thousands of people who participate in a variety of air sports, on a wide range of committees, consultation groups, and political contacts etc.
The Royal Aero Club is the UK representative of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, which is the world governing body of sport flying, controling many of the world and other international championships and the registration of world records. It also has a major role in setting technical standards and negotiating with international official bodies. In consultation with the member organisations, the Club appoints UK delegates to the various FAI Commissions.
The Club is the UK representative on Europe Air Sports, which is affiliated to the FAI and co-ordinates responses to legislation and regulation affecting recreational flying within the EU and more widely throughout Europe.
The work of the Club is managed through the RAeC Council and a small number of sub-committees (Finance, Medals & Awards and FAI).
The Annual Awards Ceremony takes place in the spring, recognising achievement and service in all forms of aviation in the previous year.
The Royal Aero Club has been presenting awards since 1908 to recognise achievement in aviation.
The historical list of RAeC award recipients includes several of the most famous names in British and world aviation, as well as many people who have made major contributions serving in background roles.
MEMBERS
A BRIEF HISTORY
1901
The Club was founded as the Aero Club of the United Kingdom, a social and political center for early air sports. It was initially a club for balloonists.
1905
The Aero Club was a founding member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing body for air sports.
1909
The Club agreed to be the paramount body for the development of aeronautics in the United Kingdom.
1910
The Club officially became the "Royal" Aero Club of the United Kingdom and began issuing Aviator's Certificates, marking the formalisation of pilot qualifications in Britain.
1922
King George V offered the prestigious King's Cup Air Race, which is still a major event for the Club today.
TODAY
The RAeC serves as the national co-ordinating body for all air sports in the UK, promoting and protecting the interests of tens of thousands of participants and representing them internationally.
