Clubwise - December 14, 2002

Every week, we bring you the latest on the UAE's clubs, associations and groups. We choose one each time and profile it, highlighting its purpose and activities. We also bring you bits of news from other such groups. So that you know what is happening when, where and why.

This week: Royal Aeronautical Society, UAE branch

Aeroplanes have always been a reason for curiosity to many since childhood. To date, many look up to the sky when an aircraft flies past.

Many have doubts about the technicalities involved in flying an aircraft or the knowhow that goes into the making of its engines.

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), founded in London in 1886, is the oldest such society in the world. It was incorporated for the general advancement of aeronautical art, science and engineering and to increase, through experiment, our knowledge of aeronautics. With over 60 branches and members in over 100 countries, it has become a multinational and multi-disciplinary body that increases the awareness of aircraft beyond those that are flown commercially.

"The UAE branch was formed in 1995 under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation, and Chairman, Emirates Group, for those interested in pursuing their profession and study of aeronautics," says Emilia Papadopoulos, honorary secretary. Each international branch and division reports to the RAeS headquarters and promotes the aviation industry by running independent programmes.

Here in the UAE, the members, who are mostly from the aviation field, meet regularly on a monthly or bi-monthly basis at the Emirates Training College Auditorium to organise lectures by senior aerospace professionals and those visiting experts. Some topics of discussion in the past have been air accident investigation, air crew fatigue, aviation law, flight simulator, helicopter test flight, human factors, aircraft refuelling, history of aviation in the UAE, etc.

The RAeS-UAE committee decides on an annual agenda of topics based on the interests of the speakers and what the event sponsors have to offer. The idea is to cover a broad range of topics that appeal to varied interests and qualifications.

"The lectures are free and are open to all with a professional interest in aerospace matter. It is an educational insight often explaining technicalities of the industry," further adds Emilia.

Though it is open to everybody, majority of the members are those working for aviation companies based in UAE. "The members can be graded from an affiliate up to a fellow," says Emilia.

Since the group is a non-profit organisation, its small organising committee encourages sponsorship of lectures so that they can bring quality speakers to the UAE. The branch has over 100 members who pay an annual membership fee to retain their status.