The Honourable Company Of Air Pilots

What The Honourable Company Of Air Pilots does

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is a Livery Company of the City of London (81st in order of precedence) and a philanthropic membership organisation founded in 1929 and incorporated by Royal Charter, with HM The King as Patron. It represents and protects the interests and welfare of pilots and navigators worldwide, with an internationally-based membership of professional and private pilots across the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and North America. The organisation is supported by three wholly-owned registered charities: the Air Pilots Benevolent Fund (est. 1937, providing relief of poverty to pilots and dependants), the Air Safety Trust (promoting air safety research), and the Air Pilots Trust (administering scholarships and educational programmes).

Its core products and services are organised around four pillars: (1) membership subscriptions at Upper Freeman, Freeman, and Associate tiers; (2) scholarships and bursaries (PPL scholarships up to £14,000, Flight Instructor scholarships up to £12,000, residential gliding scholarships up to £1,200, ATPL Ground School scholarships, and CPD bursaries for instructors); (3) career development services including the Pilot Aptitude Assessment Suite (£105 per session, 1,500+ candidates assessed), the Future Pilot Assessment Day (£145 per person), and the FlyingSTART career guidance website; and (4) industry advocacy and recognition through three technical groups (Airspace Innovation and Research, Space, and Unmanned Air Systems), an annual Trophies and Awards Banquet at Guildhall attended by ~700 aviation professionals, and a bi-monthly Air Pilot magazine.

The organisation is funded by membership subscriptions, donations, bequests, and named scholarship sponsorship from corporate and individual donors (Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, Air BP, Virgin Atlantic, Red Arrows Trust, RAF Charitable Trust, SkyDemon). It operates 73 employees from Air Pilots House in London with regional administration across Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and North America. Digital infrastructure includes the main corporate website, the FlyingSTART and Flying Start Australia sister sites, and digital aptitude assessment tools.

Name

The Honourable Company Of Air Pilots

Legal name

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots

Website

https://airpilots.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is a Royal Charter-backed Livery Company of the City of London serving as a philanthropic membership organisation for professional and private pilots globally, offering scholarships, aptitude assessments, awards, and advocacy across UK, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Membership Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro primary industry

Pilot Training, Certification & Medical/Fitness Services (TLAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ), Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Pilot membership organization
• Aviation scholarships
• Pilot aptitude testing
• Aviation awards programme
• Livery company pilots

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees from pilots and navigators at various membership tiers (Upper Freeman, Freeman, Associate). The organization relies on these subscriptions alongside donations to fund scholarships, youth gliding programs, and operational activities.
2. Charitable Donations and Trusts: The Company operates three registered charities (Air Pilots Benevolent Fund, Air Safety Trust, Air Pilots Trust) that receive donations, bequests, and legacies. These fund scholarships, flying training assistance, and aviation safety initiatives.
3. Scholarship Program Sponsorship: Third-party sponsors (individuals, companies, charitable trusts) fund specific named scholarships administered by the Company. Sponsors receive recognition through naming rights for their scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is a Livery Company of the City of London operating as a philanthropic membership organization for professional and aspiring pilots and navigators. It provides flying scholarships (PPL, FI, and Gliding), pilot aptitude assessments, career development resources via FlyingSTART, an annual Trophies & Awards programme, youth gliding schemes, instructional guides for flight instructors, technical committees on airspace/space/UAS, and CPD bursaries for instructors. Its work is funded by membership subscriptions, donations, and charitable trust activities.

Product overview

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is a Livery Company of the City of London operating as a philanthropic membership organisation. Rather than a unified software product, it offers a portfolio of aviation-related services including flying scholarships (PPL, FI, and Gliding programmes), pilot aptitude assessments, career development resources (FlyingSTART), youth gliding schemes, instructional guides for flight instructors, and an annual awards programme. The organisation also publishes a bi-monthly magazine, operates technical groups on airspace innovation, space, and unmanned systems, and provides CPD bursaries for flying instructors. These services are supported by three registered charities: the Air Pilots Benevolent Fund, Air Safety Trust, and Air Pilots Trust.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Air Pilots: Shortened commercial/trade name used for the organisation
• Young Air Pilots (YAP)
• FlyingSTART
• Flying Start Australia

Products and services

• Flying Scholarships (PPL, FI, Gliding) Comprehensive scholarship programmes providing funding for Private Pilot Licence training, Flight Instructor rating training, and residential gliding courses for aspiring aviators in the UK, funded by named sponsors and administered via the Air Pilots Trust.
• Pilot Aptitude Assessments Independent aptitude testing services evaluating potential pilots' suitability for professional flying careers, offered as ab-initio assessments for those entering training and Direct Entry Pilot assessments for qualified pilots seeking airline positions, conducted at Air Pilots House, London.
• Future Pilot Assessment Day A comprehensive preparation course covering industry outlook, pilot competencies, applications, numerical reasoning tests, video interviews, group assessments, and pilot aptitude testing, run by industry experts involved in pilot recruitment. Limited to 12 places per session.
• FlyingSTART Dedicated career guidance website providing independent, unbiased information about professional pilot careers and various routes into aviation, including alternative career paths beyond airline flying. Includes a sister site, Flying Start Australia.
• Air Pilots Youth Gliding Scheme Subsidised day visits to British Gliding Association centres for secondary school students and youth groups, offering trial flights in gliders at £20 per student, delivered in partnership with BGA-affiliated clubs.
• Air Pilot Magazine Bi-monthly membership magazine containing aviation news, Company activities, and technical articles, published in flip-page format and PDF editions for members.
• Trophies and Awards Programme Annual awards scheme recognising outstanding achievement in aviation, including Master Air Pilot, Master Air Navigator, and Master Rearcrew Certificates, plus over 25 specific trophies for various aviation accomplishments, presented at the annual Guildhall Banquet.
• Instructional Guides Flight instructor training materials including PPL Flying Instructors Guide, Teaching Stalling guide, Teaching Navigation guide, Teaching Forced Landings guide, and validated CAA training programmes for DTOs and ATOs.
• CPD Bursaries for Flying Instructors Continuing professional development bursaries assisting qualified flight instructors with funding for proficiency checks, seminar attendance, instructor preparatory courses, and rating extensions.
• Young Air Pilots (YAP) Membership Membership programme for members under 35, offering mentoring, networking events, technical visits, simulator visits, airline visits, interview preparation, and career development support for the next generation of aviators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 67 scholarships awarded in 2026 including 12 PPL, 5 FI, and 48 Gliding scholarships
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, moderate and minor.

• Air Pilots Benevolent FundcoreOthersRegistered charity (No. 212952) established in 1937 providing relief of poverty for professional air pilots/navigators and their dependants. Has distributed £415,210 over ten years. Governed by Board of Management with trustees.
• Air Safety TrustcoreOthersRegistered charity (Reg No. 236167) promoting air safety through research, evidence presentation, lectures, and prizes for distinguished work in air safety.
• Air Pilots TrustcoreOthersRegistered charity (Reg No. 313606) promoting education in aviation branches through scholarships, lectureships, technical library, and research into aviation safety and efficiency.
• British Gliding Association (BGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for youth gliding scheme. BGA-affiliated clubs host subsidized gliding days (£20 per student) and residential scholarship courses. Clubs include Cambridge Gliding Club, London Gliding Club, Booker Gliding Club, Lasham Gliding Society, Devon and Somerset Gliding Club, and Cotswold Gliding Club.
• BALPA Benevolent FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with BALPA Benevolent Fund to support pilots in need, avoid duplication of efforts, and share expertise. Jointly funds flying scholarships.
• RAF Benevolent FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperates with RAF Benevolent Fund to assist former military pilots and their families, ensuring comprehensive support through professional organisations.
• SSAFA Forces HelpmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary welfare organisation collaborating with Air Pilots Benevolent Fund to provide comprehensive support services to aviation community.
• Army Air CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated military unit. Company provides support and recognition to Army Air Corps pilots through awards and membership.
• 847 Naval Air SquadroncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated Royal Navy unit. Company maintains connection through awards, recognition, and membership opportunities.
• Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (Red Arrows)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated RAF display team. Red Arrows Trust sponsors gliding scholarships. Company provides recognition and award opportunities.
• Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated RAF unit preserving historic aircraft. Company provides support and recognition.
• Central Flying School (CFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated RAF training institution. Company collaborates on instructional guides and training standards development.
• Royal Air Force College CranwellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated RAF training college. Joint work on PPL Flying Instructors Guide with CFS staff and CAA examiner staff.
• University of London Air SquadronmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated university air squadron providing pilot training pathway. Company supports career development.
• RAF MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose association with RAF Museum, Hendon for aviation heritage and educational purposes.
• Fly Navy Heritage TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose association for naval aviation heritage preservation and education.
• City of London Livery CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Company is one of 113 Livery Companies. Leads group of Livery Companies sponsoring youth gliding scheme. Participates in Shared Philanthropic Endeavour initiative.
• Armed Forces CovenantcoreOthersCompany is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, demonstrating support for all members of armed forces and reserves.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP): International professional society for test pilots, with overlapping awards and technical content remit. While narrower in focus (test pilots only), SETP competes for the technical aviation community recognition and conferences audience.
• British Gliding Association (BGA): UK national governing body for gliding, directly delivering the gliding schools the Company partners with for youth schemes. Comparable in gliding-specific member services but narrower in aviation scope.

Direct peers

• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): US-based member-driven aviation community with scholarship programs, youth engagement (Young Eagles), and aviation recognition. Strong peer for the Company's youth gliding scheme and award-style recognition efforts.
• British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA): The UK's principal trade union for airline pilots, with overlapping benevolent fund activity and pilot welfare remit. BALPA is comparable in mission (pilot welfare) and beneficiary base (UK professional pilots), and is an explicit partner on scholarship funding.
• Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS): UK-based professional body for the aerospace sector, serving engineers, pilots, and aviation professionals. RAeS is the most direct comparator as a chartered membership and learned society focused on aviation credentials, awards, and policy engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA): The largest airline pilot union in the world, representing North American pilots. Comparable member-benefit model (advocacy, safety, professional development) at much larger scale, serving as a benchmark for unionised pilot services.
• International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations (IFALPA): Global federation of pilot unions/associations with regulatory liaison mandate. Comparable advocacy positioning to the Company's technical committees and policy papers, at an international super-association level.
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): The largest General Aviation pilot membership organisation globally, with comparable pilot advocacy, training support, and aptitude services. AOPA is a broader incumbent (many private pilots, not just professionals), making it a scaled comparator.

Others

• Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (historical predecessor): The pre-2012 name of the same organisation. Listed as a self-reference for context — not a separate peer — illustrating the institution's continuity.

Regional players

• European Cockpit Association (ECA): European umbrella for national pilot associations, with comparable policy and regulatory engagement remit. Regional peer focused on EU pilot issues rather than UK/global anglophone scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-honourable-company-of-air-pilots

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Honourable Company Of Air Pilots