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 The EAA represents
virtually the entire spectrum of recreational aviation.
 The EAA holds a week
long "Fly-in" every summer. It is the world's largest aviation event.
 The AEA's first project,
a glider, was the group's first experience with flying.
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Aviation Clubs, Societies, and Organizations
Although flying is frequently a solitary activity, once on the ground, aviation enthusiasts and hobbyists often join together to share their common interests.Aviation is particularly fortunate that its pilots, aircraft owners, and flying buffs alike are very enthusiastic about their profession, vocation, or hobby and enjoy associating with other like-minded individuals.
Probably the first such group, at least in the United States, was the Aerial Experiment Association, formed in 1907 by Alexander Graham Bell and including such well known aviators as Glenn Curtiss. The group designed, built, and flew several experimental aircraft, garnering a number of records in the process. When it met its objectives, the group disbanded.
One of aviation's oldest organizations, the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association, was rekindled in 1966 as the First Flight Society to support the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, at the Wright Brothers' National Memorial at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Society established the First Flight Shrine—a portrait gallery that surrounds the Wright Flyer replica displayed in the park's Visitor Center—and honors individuals and groups that have achieved significant "firsts" in aviation's development.
Founded in 1953, the Experimental Aircraft Association, now known simply as the EAA, has grown into a 170,000-member organization representing virtually the entire spectrum of recreational aviation. Open to all aviation enthusiasts, the EAA encourages general aviation, sport flying, homebuilt aircraft owners, and antique civil and military aircraft restorers/operators as well as sponsoring the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).
The most public, and enthusiastically awaited, example of that mission is the annual EAA Oshkosh Fly-In in Oshkosh, Wisconsin—the world’s largest recreational aviation event. More than 750,000 aviation enthusiasts attend the Fly-In each summer, with more than 12,000 aircraft participating during the weeklong event.
War veterans, in particular, believe in the value of fraternal organizations that enable them to share their unique bond and remain in contact with each other through reunions and publications. Certain aircraft, both civil and military “warbirds,” both new and historic, inspire fierce loyalty among those who have flown or built them, or those who are simply fascinated by them.
Notable among these organizations is the largest and most active of World War II pilot organizations—the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association. Made up of people who flew the airplane before 1956, when it was taken out of air force service, the purpose of the organization is to venerate and perpetuate the memory of the P-47 Thunderbolt—arguably the most successful bomber of World War II—and to honor and enable the comradeship of the pilots who flew it.
A group that specializes in delighting both enthusiasts and the general public alike, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), was founded in 1951 with the purchase of a surplus Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. Today, the CAF operates a fleet of more than 140 vintage U.S. World War II-era aircraft, known as “The Ghost Squadron,” that are viewed by more than 10 million spectators annually. The 11,000-member strong CAF has hundreds of members who serve as pilots, flight crew, mechanics or aircraft maintenance personnel, dedicated to preserving America’s military aviation heritage. Originally known as the "Confederate Air Force," a vote of the membership officially changed the organization’s name in 2002 to the Commemorative Air Force.
The legendary Tuskegee Airmen—dedicated, determined young men who volunteered to become United States' first black military airmen in World War II—formed an organization to preserve the heritage and history of these pioneers. The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., is structured to honor its original members through a modern mission of inspiring young people to outstanding achievement and leadership in the fields of aviation and aerospace through study, sacrifice, and the attainment of self-sustaining status with marketable skills.
Organizations and clubs are not limited to retired military pilots or aircraft. The Order of Daedalians is the United States’ premier fraternal organization of commissioned, warrant officer and flight officer-rated military pilots, male and female, of all branches of the U.S. armed forces who flew or fly any type of powered, military, heavier-than-air aircraft. Modern day denizens of “The Right Stuff” comprise the membership of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, an international organization that seeks to promote air safety and contribute to aeronautical advancement by promoting sound aeronautical design and development through the exchange of ideas among its members.
Military pilots and those who own aircraft are not the only individuals who form societies and organizations dealing with aviation. Aircraft model builders and radio-controlled airplane hobbyists have formed numerous clubs to promote their pastimes. Also, enthusiasts of the “barnstorming” and air racing era of the 1920s and 1930s have grouped together to preserve the records and feats of those early pilots, while groups as specialized as aviation artists and flying lawyers have their own clubs.
The following is a representative listing of professional and hobby organizations and clubs dealing with general aviation, pilots, and aeronautics. A much more extensive list of organizations can be found at http://www.landings.com—select “organizations.”
—Roger Guillemette
Aviation Clubs, Societies and Organizations
Academy of Model Aeronautics 5161 E. Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana, 47302
The Academy of Model Aeronautics is the world's largest sport aviation organization, representing a membership of more than 170,000 whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity. The AMA is the official national body for model aviation in the United States and sanctions more than a thousand model competitions throughout the country each year, and certifies official model flying records on a national and international level.
Air Racing Historians Society 168 Marion Lane
A relative newcomer to the aviation history field, the Air Racing Historians Society was formed in 1984 by a group of air racing enthusiasts who wanted to pool their efforts and knowledge with others, culminating in the first Air Racing History Symposium held in Cleveland, Ohio in May 1985. The Society became an official association shortly thereafter dedicated to preserve the complete and accurate records of air races, racepilots and raceplanes.
American Aviation Historical Society 2333 Otis Street Santa Ana, California 92704
The American Aviation Historical Society was founded in 1956 as a non-profit educational organization with the objective to preserve and disseminate the rich heritage of American aviation. The Society maintains an extensive collection of books, documents, and photographs.
American Society of Aviation Artists, Inc. P.O. Box 799 Gold Hill, OR 97525
The American Society Of Aviation Artists is a non-profit organization bringing together persons who share a love of art and aviation in an organization that challenges itself to the creation of works that are unique to aviation and aerospace.
Antique Airplane Association 22001 Bluegrass Road
“Keep the antiques flying” has been the stated goal of the Antique Airplane Association (AAA) since its founding in 1953. Open to all interested in antique and classic aircraft, the AAA has more than 20 active local chapters and sponsors the Airpower Museum and the APM Library of Flight.
B-17 Combat Crewmen & Wingmen P. O. Box 1102 Simi Valley, CA 93062 http://www.b-17combatcrewmen.org
Preserves and perpetuates the memory of the B-17 Flying Fortress high altitude bomber and the heroic men who flew, serviced, or contributed to the epic role the Flying Fortress played in bringing World War II to a final conclusion.
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation P.O. Box 782 Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727 http://www.avialantic.com/bahf.html
The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation owns and operates a 1945 C-54/R5D Douglas Skymaster, and the rare Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter and is dedicated to the preservation of these aircraft, and the education programs about the Berlin Airlift.
Commemorative Air Force PO Box 62000 Midland, Texas 79711 http://www.confederateairforce.org
Douglas DC-3/Dakota Historical Society P O Box 1046 Goleta CA 93116 http://www.douglas-dc-3.org/history.htm
Provides a record of the people and events associated with the Douglas DC-3 /C-47 Dakota, including a library of photographs and the personal histories of flights and events to the aircraft.
Experimental Aircraft Association 3000 Poberezny Road Oshkosh, WI 54902
The First Flight Society P.O. Box 1903 Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 27949
Lawyers' Flying Association c/o Messrs. Dibb Lupton Alsop 3 Noble Street, London EC2V 7EE England http://www.stapley.co.uk/lfa.htm
United Kingdom-based body representing those working in the legal profession who share a common enthusiasm for aviation in general and private flying in particular.
Lawyer Pilots Bar Association P.O. Box 685 Poolesville MD 20837
The Association is dedicated to aviation safety, the just administration of the law and continuing legal education.
National Warplane Museum Elmira-Corning Regional Airport 17 Aviation Drive Horseheads, NY 14845
The Museum is an educational institution founded to collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit military aviation memorabilia and to fly military aircraft.
The Ninety-Nines (International Women Pilots) PO Box 59965 Will Rogers World Airport Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73159
Founded in 1929 by a group of pioneering women pilots, including Amelia Earhart (who became the club’s first president), the Ninety-Nines were organized for mutual support among female pilots and the advancement of flight. Its unique name was derived from the original number of charter members (99 in all).
Order of Daedalians PO Box 249 Randolph AFB, TX 78148-0249
P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Assn. Ltd. c/o Wings Club 52 Vanderbilt Avenue New York, NY 10017
Society of Experimental Test Pilots P. O. Box 986 Lancaster, CA 93584-0986
Tuskegee Airmen Inc. 1501 Lee Highway, Suite 130 Arlington, VA 22209-1109
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