• Institution of Aeronautical Engineers

The increasing number of engineers working in the aircraft industry during the First World War, and a belief that the Royal Aeronautical Society was more concerned with the scientific rather than the engineering aspects of aviation, led to the formation in 1919 of the Institute of Aeronautical Engineers, later renamed the Institution of Aeronautical Engineers (IAeE). The founding aim of the Institute was for it to become ‘the British Empire’s principal authoritative body on the technique of aeronautical engineering’. The Institute attracted members from across the industry, including aircraft designers, pilots and ground engineers. It was governed by a council which met at a small headquarters in London and branches were formed, including those in Manchester, South Africa and Australia. Members could enjoy a regular periodical, lectures in both London and at branches and visits to aircraft factories and other places if interest. From the mid-1920s prizes were introduced for contributions to the industry. Members were graded, with the highest grade being ‘member with honours diploma’. However, the rapid contraction of the aircraft industry after the First World War led to both the Institution of Aeronautical Engineers and the Royal Aeronautical Society facing serious financial pressures. Although both organisations were successful in making reforms which attracted more members and greater support from the industry, in 1927 they decided to amalgamate as the Royal Aeronautical Society incorporated with The Institution of Aeronautical Engineers.