A brief history of the Royal Aeroclub of Belgium

The ACRB was founded in 1901, sprouting from the enthousiasm generated by the taking to the air and the longer distance flights of such aeronautical sportsmen as the count Henry de la Vaux, M Casstillon de Saint-Victor, M Capazza etc…

In 1904, an aeronautical magazine "La Conquête de l'Air" (Conquest of the Air), fathered by Adhemar de la Hault, sees the light of day.

In 1901, there was founded, in Brussels, under the name of "Aéro Club de Belgique", a society aiming to encourage aerial locomotion in all its forms and applications, be they sporting, scientific or military. The club, under the high patronage of the "Automobile Club de Belgique" and the "Société Belge d'Astronomie et de Météorologie" counts among its three hundred members, not only people with a scientific background, but also belonging to industry or commerce. The aim of the "Aéro Club de Belgique" is to contribute to the development of all sciences which connect with aerial locomotion.

Pilot licences for balloons, "spheres" and aeroplanes, "heavier than air" are issued by the ACRB.

In 1909, baron Pierre de Caters receives licence n°1, followed by well known names as professor Emile Allart and Jan Olieslagers. The first lady aviatrix in Belgium, Hélène Dutrieux, holds licence n° 37. In March 1910, Georges Nélis, graduate of the Military School, obtains his licence and becomes the first military aeroplane pilot.

The 14-18 war abruptly interrupts the flights in spheres, the numerous aeroplane rallies and competitions, organised by the ACRB.

King Albert 1st was a high protector of the ACRB, and thanks to his support aviation is thought of as a means of Transport in Belgium as soon as the war ends. The SNETA, Syndicat National pour l'Etude des Transports Aériens (National Syndicate for the Study of Aerial Transports), is created, leading later to the birth of SABENA and of SABCA.

While military aviators distinguish themselves in aerial competitions and meetings organised by the Aeroclub, now become Royal, the balloonists win and bring it the Gordon Bennett cup.

The development of the engineless aeroplane, the glider, was the result of Germany being forbidden to possess a military airpower by the Versailles Treaty. The ACRB devoted a good part of its activities to the emergence of this new sport. Gliding in Belgium enjoyed unexpected popularity.

Aeromodelism, then known as "reduced scale models" equally developed itself at that time.

Parachuting, brought to the foreground during the second world war, also became an aerial sport. The classic parachute later was abandoned in favour of steerable wings.

When in 1976, the ACRB celebrated its 75th anniversary, its president, Prince Antoine de Ligne, put the hot air balloon again in a place of honour, by creating the 1st International Challenge which bears his name. The horserace track of Uccle-Boitsfort was the scene of this spectacular international championship, backed up by a quality airshow. The Aviator General Baron Michel Donnet, acceded to the presidency of the ACRB.

Born of the imagination of american engineers to recover space capsules, the Delta-plane was adapted by glider pilots. The steerable parachute and the Delta-plane created the new sport of Free Flight.

Equipped with a small engine, the Delta plane opened to door to the ULM (Microlight), from the french Planeur Ultra-Léger Motorisé (Ultra-Light Motorised glider). Today, the use of very light composite materials allows the ULM to evolve into proper small airplanes.

The youngest branch of aerial sports is constituted by the para-motor, a steerable parachute propelled by a small engine, hooked to the back of the pilot.

Each year the Aéro Club Royal de Belgique, during its General Assembly, is happy to honour those who obtained a podium place in one of the many national, european or world championships.