We welcome any pilot of any background as a member

Criteria for membership are:

As UPPER FREEMAN          

A professional pilot or navigator, military, civil or test pilot, with five or more years’ experience

As UPPER FREEMAN – UNMANNED

A professional unmanned air system pilot/operator/commander exercising a National Authority (or equivalent) approval to operate air vehicles of greater than 150kg maximum take-off weight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for five or more years

As FREEMAN

Similar qualifications as above, but with less than five years’ experience

OR a private pilot with two or more years’ experience and over 75 hours

OR any other person who, in the opinion of Court, has rendered or may render outstanding service to the profession or to the Company

As ASSOCIATE

A person engaged in training as a professional, private or military pilot

OR the holder of a PPL or equivalent with less than two years’ experience

OR a person under 35, qualified or in training, irrespective of flying experience

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older

For further details see the

Membership Application Forms

All applicants aged under 35 are automatically classified as

Young Air Pilots

irrespective of their membership grade.

Your membership supports and enables our work as a philanthropic organisation

As a philanthropic organisation, we rely on membership subscriptions and donations to fund our work – to sponsor training of the next generation of pilots (through scholarships), to inspire a passion for aviation in young people (through youth gliding and careers presentations), to help maintain safety standards and practices, to find solutions to mitigate environmental impact and to recognise and promote best practice and significant contributions to aviation.

Membership benefits

To many the benefits are about being part of a body of aviators that, collectively, can make a positive difference to aviation.  To others, the most important benefit is the social aspect of the Company's programme of events and the opportunity to mix with professional and private pilots alike, of all experience levels and backgrounds, or the professional networking and interaction on a level not otherwise possible in the commercial environment.  Others simply like being able to give something back to a profession or passion that they have benefitted from for many years.

Some of the more 'tangible' benefits are:

Air Pilot
Members receive a bi-monthly issue of Air Pilot magazine. These publications include up to date information on the aviation scene and Company activities.  Electronic versions of Air Pilot are available here.

Professional Visits and Social Events
Many events are arranged each year which are open to application for all members.

Technical Advice
The Director of Aviation Affairs (DAA) Nick Goodwyn can often be of assistance to members seeking aviation advice.

Aviation Medical Advice
The Company has several Honorary Medical Advisers who are available to give confidential advice to members.

Legal Advice
The Company has arranged with its Honorary Solicitors to be willing to give free first aid advice.

Benevolence
The Air Pilots Benevolent Fund is a registered (UK) charity and is available for assistance where appropriate.