Royal Aero Club
Encyclopedia
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.
The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls
(one of the founders of Rolls-Royce
), partly inspired by the Aero Club of France
. It was initially concerned more with ballooning
but, after the invention of heavier than air flight, it embraced the aeroplane
. The original club constitution declared that it was dedicated to 'the encouragement of aero auto-mobilism and ballooning as a sport.' As originally founded, it was primarily a London gentlemen's club, but gradually moved on to a more regulatory role. It had a clubhouse at 119 Piccadilly
, which it retained until 1961.
In 1909 the Club was granted the Royal prefix. From 1910 the Club issued Aviators Certificates, which were internationally recognised under the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
(the FAI) to which the club was the UK representative. The Club is responsible for control in the UK of all private and sporting flying, as well as for records and competitions.
The Club established its first flying ground at Muswell Manor near Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey
in 1909. It was at this ground that John Moore-Brabazon (later Lord Brabazon of Tara) made a flight of 500 yards in his Voisin. This is officially recognised as the first flight by a British pilot in Britain.
Contacts with the Wright brothers
led to early members of the Club, the brothers Horace, Eustace and Oswald Short, acquiring for their company Short Brothers
a Wright license and laying down the first aircraft production line in the world, at Leysdown.
After inspecting the factory, the Wright Brothers had their photograph taken outside of the aero-club Muswell Manor with all of the early aviation pioneers to commemorate their visit to Britain.
Just two days before the Wright Brothers historic visit, Moore-Brabazon became the first resident English man to make an officially recognised aeroplane flight in England. On 2 May 1909 he was also the first to cover a mile (closed circuit) in a British aeroplane. Two days later, on 4 November 1909, he decided to take up a passenger, a piglet, which he named Icarus 2nd, thereby debunking the old adage that pigs can't fly.
All of these historic events happened on the grounds of the Aero Club at Shellness, Leysdown, Kent
. It moved the next year to Eastchurch
.
Until 1915 the British Military did not have any pilot training facilities. As a result most early military pilots were trained by members of the club and many became members. By the end of the First World War, more than 6,300 military pilots had taken RAeC Aviator's Certificates.
After the loss of its Piccadilly clubhouse in 1961, the club was unhappily lodged in the Lansdowne Club
at 9 Fitzmaurice Place until 1968. It then moved for a short spell to the Junior Carlton Club
's modern building at 94 Pall Mall
, before moving on to the United Service Club
's building at 116 Pall Mall. By 1977, the club was homeless, and it merged to become part of the British Gliding Association
.
Today the Royal Aero Club continues to be the national governing and coordinating body of air sport and recreational flying. The governing bodies of the various forms of sporting aviation are all members of the Royal Aero Club, which is the UK governing body for international sporting purposes. The Royal Aero Club also acts to support and protect the rights of recreational pilots in the context of national and international regulation.
is presented by the Royal Aero Club for aviators accomplishing the most meritorious performance in aviaton during the previous year.
The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls
Charles Rolls
Charles Stewart Rolls was a motoring and aviation pioneer. Together with Frederick Henry Royce he co-founded the Rolls-Royce car manufacturing firm. He was the first Briton to be killed in a flying accident, when the tail of his Wright Flyer broke off during a flying display near Bournemouth,...
(one of the founders of Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
), partly inspired by the Aero Club of France
Aéro-Club de France
The Aéro-Club de France was founded as the Aéro-Club on 20 October 1898 as a society 'to encourage aerial locomotion' by Ernest Archdeacon, Léon Serpollet, Henri de la Valette, Jules Verne and his wife, André Michelin, Albert de Dion, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe, and Henry de...
. It was initially concerned more with ballooning
Balloon (aircraft)
A balloon is a type of aircraft that remains aloft due to its buoyancy. A balloon travels by moving with the wind. It is distinct from an airship, which is a buoyant aircraft that can be propelled through the air in a controlled manner....
but, after the invention of heavier than air flight, it embraced the aeroplane
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
. The original club constitution declared that it was dedicated to 'the encouragement of aero auto-mobilism and ballooning as a sport.' As originally founded, it was primarily a London gentlemen's club, but gradually moved on to a more regulatory role. It had a clubhouse at 119 Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
, which it retained until 1961.
In 1909 the Club was granted the Royal prefix. From 1910 the Club issued Aviators Certificates, which were internationally recognised under the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
(the FAI) to which the club was the UK representative. The Club is responsible for control in the UK of all private and sporting flying, as well as for records and competitions.
Isle of Sheppey
The Isle of Sheppey is an island off the northern coast of Kent, England in the Thames Estuary, some to the east of London. It has an area of . The island forms part of the local government district of Swale...
in 1909. It was at this ground that John Moore-Brabazon (later Lord Brabazon of Tara) made a flight of 500 yards in his Voisin. This is officially recognised as the first flight by a British pilot in Britain.
Contacts with the Wright brothers
Wright brothers
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur , were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903...
led to early members of the Club, the brothers Horace, Eustace and Oswald Short, acquiring for their company Short Brothers
Short Brothers
Short Brothers plc is a British aerospace company, usually referred to simply as Shorts, that is now based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1908, Shorts was the first company in the world to make production aircraft and was a manufacturer of flying boats during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s...
a Wright license and laying down the first aircraft production line in the world, at Leysdown.
After inspecting the factory, the Wright Brothers had their photograph taken outside of the aero-club Muswell Manor with all of the early aviation pioneers to commemorate their visit to Britain.
Just two days before the Wright Brothers historic visit, Moore-Brabazon became the first resident English man to make an officially recognised aeroplane flight in England. On 2 May 1909 he was also the first to cover a mile (closed circuit) in a British aeroplane. Two days later, on 4 November 1909, he decided to take up a passenger, a piglet, which he named Icarus 2nd, thereby debunking the old adage that pigs can't fly.
All of these historic events happened on the grounds of the Aero Club at Shellness, Leysdown, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. It moved the next year to Eastchurch
Eastchurch
Eastchurch is a village on the Isle of Sheppey, in the English county of Kent, two miles east of Minster.The village website claims "... it has a history steeped in stories of piracy and smugglers".- Aviation history :...
.
Until 1915 the British Military did not have any pilot training facilities. As a result most early military pilots were trained by members of the club and many became members. By the end of the First World War, more than 6,300 military pilots had taken RAeC Aviator's Certificates.
After the loss of its Piccadilly clubhouse in 1961, the club was unhappily lodged in the Lansdowne Club
Lansdowne Club
The Lansdowne Club is a London private club, which was established in 1935. It is located at 9 Fitzmaurice Place, near Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, England....
at 9 Fitzmaurice Place until 1968. It then moved for a short spell to the Junior Carlton Club
Junior Carlton Club
The Junior Carlton Club was a London gentlemen's club, now dissolved, which was established in 1866 and was disbanded in 1977.-History:Anticipating the forthcoming Second Reform Act under Benjamin Disraeli, numerous prospective electors decided to form a club closely aligned to the Conservative...
's modern building at 94 Pall Mall
Pall Mall, London
Pall Mall is a street in the City of Westminster, London, and parallel to The Mall, from St. James's Street across Waterloo Place to the Haymarket; while Pall Mall East continues into Trafalgar Square. The street is a major thoroughfare in the St James's area of London, and a section of the...
, before moving on to the United Service Club
United Service Club
The United Service Club was a London gentlemen's club, now dissolved, which was established in 1815 and was disbanded in 1978. Its clubhouse was at 116 Pall Mall, on the corner of Waterloo Place....
's building at 116 Pall Mall. By 1977, the club was homeless, and it merged to become part of the British Gliding Association
British Gliding Association
The British Gliding Association is the governing body for gliding in the United Kingdom. Gliding in the United Kingdom operates through 85 gliding clubs which have 2,310 gliders and 9,462 full flying members , though a further 17,000 people have gliding air-experience flights each year.-History:A...
.
Today the Royal Aero Club continues to be the national governing and coordinating body of air sport and recreational flying. The governing bodies of the various forms of sporting aviation are all members of the Royal Aero Club, which is the UK governing body for international sporting purposes. The Royal Aero Club also acts to support and protect the rights of recreational pilots in the context of national and international regulation.
Some aviator certificates
The following are some of the first people to gain their aviator certificates:- 1 - J T C Moore-BrabazonJohn Moore-Brabazon, 1st Baron Brabazon of TaraJohn Theodore Cuthbert Moore-Brabazon, 1st Baron Brabazon of Tara, GBE, MC, PC was an English aviation pioneer and Conservative politician...
- 8 March 1910 - 2 - Hon C S RollsCharles RollsCharles Stewart Rolls was a motoring and aviation pioneer. Together with Frederick Henry Royce he co-founded the Rolls-Royce car manufacturing firm. He was the first Briton to be killed in a flying accident, when the tail of his Wright Flyer broke off during a flying display near Bournemouth,...
- 8 March 1910 - 3 - Alfred RawlinsonSir Alfred Rawlinson, 3rd BaronetSir Alfred Rawlinson, 3rd Baronet was a British pioneer motorist and aviator, soldier and intelligence officer, and sportsman. He was known as "Toby".-Life:...
- 5 April 1910 - 4 - Cecil Stanley GraceCecil Grace-External links:*...
- 12 April 1910 - 5 - George Bertram CockburnGeorge Bertram CockburnGeorge Bertram Cockburn OBE was a research chemist who became an aviation pioneer. He represented Great Britain in the first international air race at Rheims and co-founded the first aerodrome for the army at Larkhill. He also trained the first four pilots of what was to become the Fleet Air...
- 26 April 1910 - 6 - C Grahame-WhiteClaude Grahame WhiteClaude Grahame White was an English pioneer of aviation, and the first to make a night flight, during the Daily Mail sponsored 1910 London to Manchester air race.-Early life:...
- 26 April 1910 - 7 - A Ogilvie - 24 May 1910
- 8 - A M Singer - 31 May 1910
- 9 - L D L Gibbs - 7 June 1910
- 10 - S F CodySamuel CodySamuel Franklin Cowdery was born in Birdville, Texas, USA. He was an early pioneer of manned flight, most famous for his work on the large kites known as Cody War-Kites that were used in World War I as a smaller alternative to balloons for artillery spotting...
- 14 June 1910 - made first aeroplane flight in Britain - 15 - George Cyril Colmore - 21 June 1910 - first Royal Navy aviator
- 16 - George Arthur Barnes - 21 June 1910
- 18 - Alliott Verdon RoeAlliott Verdon RoeSir Edwin Alliott Verdon Roe OBE, FRAeS was a pioneer English pilot and aircraft manufacturer, and founder in 1910 of the Avro company...
- 26 July 1910 - 21 - Francis McClean - 20 September 1910 - founding member of Royal Aero Club
- 27 - Captain John Fulton - 15 November 1910 - founding member of the Air Battalion Royal EngineersAir Battalion Royal EngineersThe Air Battalion Royal Engineers was the first flying unit of the British Armed Forces to make use of heavier-than-air craft. It evolved into the Royal Flying Corps which in turn evolved into the Royal Air Force.-Establishment:...
- 31 - Thomas SopwithThomas SopwithSir Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith, CBE, Hon FRAeS was an English aviation pioneer and yachtsman.-Early life:...
- 22 November 1910 - 42 - Henry CookHenry CookBrigadier-General Henry R Cook was an early British aviator and an officer in the Royal Artillery during World War I.-Early military career:...
- 31 December 1910 - 53 - Geoffrey de HavillandGeoffrey de HavillandCaptain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, OM, CBE, AFC, RDI, FRAeS, was a British aviation pioneer and aircraft engineer...
- 7 February 1911 - 64 - Gustav HamelGustav HamelGustav Hamel was a pioneer British aviator.Hamel was prominent in the early history of aviation in Britain, and in particular that of Hendon airfield, where Claude Graham-White was energetically developing and promoting flying.-Biography:Gustav Hamel was educated at Westminster School and chose to...
- 14 February 1911 - 71 - Lieutenant Charles Rumney SamsonCharles Rumney SamsonAir Commodore Charles Rumney Samson CMG, DSO & Bar, AFC was a British naval aviation pioneer. He also operated the first British armoured vehicles in combat...
RNRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
- 25 April 1911 - transferred 1912 to the RFCRoyal Flying CorpsThe Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
Naval Wing, in 1914 to RNASRoyal Naval Air ServiceThe Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
and in 1919 RAFRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, retiring as Air CommodoreAir CommodoreAir commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... - 72 - Lieutenant Arthur LongmoreArthur LongmoreAir Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Murray Longmore GCB, DSO was an early naval aviator, before reaching high rank in the Royal Air Force.-Biography:...
RN - 25 April 1911 - later Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore RAF - 95 - Frederick SykesFrederick SykesAir Vice-Marshal The Right Honourable Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes GCSI, GCIE, GBE, KCB, CMG was a military officer, British statesman and politician....
- 20 June 1911 - 108 - Robert Brooke-PophamRobert Brooke-PophamAir Chief Marshal Sir Henry Robert Moore Brooke-Popham, GCVO, KCB, CMG, DSO, AFC, was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force. During World War I he served in the Royal Flying Corps as wing commander and senior staff officer...
- July 1911 - 118 - Colonel D Henderson - 17 August 1911
- 122 - Hilda HewlettHilda HewlettHilda Beatrice Hewlett was the first British aviatrix to earn a pilot's licence. She was also a successful early aviation entrepreneur. She created and ran the first flying school in the United Kingdom. She also created and managed a successful aircraft manufacturing business which produced more...
- 29 August 1911 - the first British woman to receive a pilot's certificate - 125 - Captain D LeG PitcherDuncan PitcherAir Commodore Duncan le Geyt Pitcher CMG, CBE, DSO, RAF was an infantry and cavalry officer in the British Indian Army...
- 29 August 1911 - 127 - Lieutenant Robert Clark-HallRobert Clark-HallAir Marshal Sir Robert Hamilton Clark-Hall KBE CMG DSO RAF was a squadron and wing commander in the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I and a senior Royal Air Force commander in the 1920s and early 1930s...
RN - 1911 - later Air Marshal Sir Robert Clark-Hall RAF (and Air Commodore RNZAFRoyal New Zealand Air ForceThe Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
1943-45) - 130 - E W Copland PerryEvelyn Copland PerryEvelyn Walter Copland Perry was a pioneer British aviator and one of the first flying instructors in England...
- 12 September 1911 - 144 - Cyril NewallCyril Newall, 1st Baron NewallMarshal of the Royal Air Force Cyril Louis Norton Newall, 1st Baron Newall GCB OM GCMG CBE AM , was a British soldier and airman, who headed the Royal Air Force as the Chief of the Air Staff during the early part of the Second World War before serving as the sixth Governor-General of New Zealand...
- 3 October 1911 - 147 - William Barnard Rhodes-MoorhouseWilliam Barnard Rhodes-MoorhouseWilliam Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse VC, born William Barnard Moorhouse, was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
- 17 October 1911 - 186 - Marcel DesoutterMarcel DesoutterAndré Marcel Desoutter was an English aviator, who lost a leg in an early flying accident, but went on to a successful career in the aviation industry.-Early life:...
- 27 February 1912 - 270 - Hugh TrenchardHugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount TrenchardMarshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force...
- 18 August 1912 - later to command the Royal Flying Corps in France and serve as first Chief of the Air Staff - 280 - Philip Joubert de la FertéPhilip Joubert de la FertéAir Chief Marshal Sir Philip Bennet Joubert de la Ferté KCB, CMG, DSO was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the 1930s and the Second World War.-RAF career:...
- 3 September 1912 - 297 - Harry HawkerHarry HawkerHarry George Hawker MBE, AFC, was an Australian aviation pioneer and co-founder of Hawker Aircraft, the firm that would later be responsible for a long series of successful military aircraft.-Early life:...
- 17 September 1912 - 305 - Edward Leonard EllingtonEdward Leonard EllingtonMarshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Edward Leonard Ellington GCB, CMG, CBE was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force...
- 1 October 1912 - later Marshal of the Royal Air ForceMarshal of the Royal Air ForceMarshal of the Royal Air Force is the highest rank in the Royal Air Force. In peacetime it was granted to RAF officers in the appointment of Chief of the Defence Staff, and to retired Chiefs of the Air Staff, who were promoted to it on their last day of service. Promotions to the rank have ceased... - 368 - John Alcock - 26 November 1912
- 525 - W Sefton BranckerSefton BranckerAir Vice-Marshal Sir William Sefton Brancker KCB AFC , commonly known as Sir Sefton Brancker, was a pioneer in British civil and military aviation.-Early life:...
- 18 June 1913 - 605 - Lord George WellesleyLord George WellesleyWing Commander Lord George Wellesley MC was an English soldier and airman.He was the son of Colonel Sir Arthur Charles Wellesley, 4th Duke of Wellington and Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams. His great-grandfather was Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington...
- 28 August 1913 - 632 - Noel Pemberton BillingNoel Pemberton BillingNoel Pemberton Billing was an English aviator, inventor, publisher, and Member of Parliament. He founded the firm that became Supermarine and promoted air power, but he held a strong antipathy towards the Royal Aircraft Factory and its products...
- 17 September 1913 - 646 - Christopher DraperChristopher DraperSquadron Commander Christoper Draper, DSC Croix de guerre , was an English flying ace of World War I. His penchant for flying under bridges earned him the nickname "the Mad Major." After the war he became a film star through his work both as a stunt pilot and as an actor...
- 9 October 1913 - 711 - Capt Hugh C T DowdingHugh Dowding, 1st Baron DowdingAir Chief Marshal Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding GCB, GCVO, CMG was a British officer in the Royal Air Force...
- 20 December 1913 - 813 - John Lankester ParkerJohn Lankester ParkerJohn Lankester Parker OBE FRAeS Hon. MSLAE was Chief Test Pilot for Short Brothers from 1918 until his retirement in 1945. He joined Shorts in 1916 as a part-time test pilot and assistant to then Chief Test Pilot Ronald Kemp, having been recommended for the post by Captain, later Admiral Sir,...
- 18 June 1914 - 1281 - Edward MaitlandEdward Maitland (aviator)Air Commodore Edward Maitland Maitland CMG DSO AFC FRGS was an early military aviator who served in the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers, the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force....
- 1301 - Sholto Douglas - May 1915
- 3949 - Quintin Brand - later Air Vice-MarshalAir Vice-MarshalAir vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
- 5093 - Henry John Lawrence Botterell
Air races
A number of air races were organised by the club- The Kings Cup
- SBAC Cup
- The Kemsley Trophy
- The Grosvenor Cup
- The Siddeley Trophy
- The Air League Cup
Britannia Trophy
The Britannia TrophyBritannia Trophy
The Britannia Trophy is a British award presented by the Royal Aero Club for aviators accomplishing the most meritorious performance in aviaton during the previous year....
is presented by the Royal Aero Club for aviators accomplishing the most meritorious performance in aviaton during the previous year.
See also
- List of pilots awarded an Aviator's Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in 1910
- List of pilots awarded an Aviator's Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in 1911
- List of pilots awarded an Aviator's Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in 1912
- List of pilots awarded an Aviator's Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in 1913
- List of pilots awarded an Aviator's Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in 1914
- List of pilots with foreign Aviator's Certificates accredited by the Royal Aero Club 1910-1914