In 2024, the Society focused on key objectives including to grow membership, increase engagement with core audiences to ensure value and longevity, widen the reach of the events and outreach programmes as well as policy initiatives to inform and influence within the sector and maintain financial stability in order to support future investment planning.
Provide influence and leadership
The RAeS actively engaged with UK government and regulators, providing expert input on critical policy areas and presenting a position paper on priorities for the new UK government. In achieving engagement and leadership objectives meetings were scheduled with Aviation Ministers and officials from key organisations such as:
David Edwards meeting with The Department for Transport
RAeS Executive Roundtable
Responses to 11 consultations on topics including pilot licensing, vertiport design, and UAS regulations highlighted the Society’s role in sharing independent, authoritative aerospace knowledge across the sector.
The RAeS convened influential roundtables on topics such as Gender Diversity in Aviation with international airlines, briefed several of the UK’s Chief Scientific Advisors on Contrail Management, hosted the UK CAA Annual Address and continued to engage with a variety of key stakeholders.
FAA fireside chat
The RAeS launched its Sustainability Policy, held a workshop to gather member input for future initiatives, and is establishing a Sustainability Working Group.
Read the policy
The RAeS’s member magazine, AEROSPACE, NOTAM podcast and Insight blog articles continue to feature award-winning aviation journalism, enriching debate and knowledge.
AEROSPACE NOTAM podcast - Farnborough
The Aeronautical Journal's Impact Factor is rising, with increased submissions and a stable 37% acceptance rate, reflecting higher-quality research. Five papers were published in the Journal of Aeronautical History in 2024.
The Journal of Aeronautical History
Events organised by the Society’s Headquarters attracted over 3000 attendees to hybrid technical conferences, seminars, public lectures and networking events. The regional network delivered over 400 events in 2024, both in-person and online, enabling the exchange of knowledge and information with audiences worldwide.
Highlights from the Royal Aeronautical Society's AI in Civil Aviation and Airports Summit
Highlights from the Royal Aeronautical Society’s President’s Conference 2024 – Design, Build, Fly
The Society played a prominent role in major international events, including Farnborough International Airshow, Aero Friedrichshafen, NATO at 75 in Berlin Brandenburg where a new RAeS branch was launched, Space Comm Expo Scotland and the World Sustainable Skies Summit.
Farnborough International Airshow Highlights
AERO Friedrichshafen Highlights
Sustainable Skies Summit Highlights
Attract and support a diverse membership
Membership numbers grew to 25,632 aerospace professionals and over 350 industries academic, and charitable partners across 115 countries by the end of 2024 with the team having reached over 380 potential members and registrants through the webinar programme, delivered 26 briefings, workshops and mentoring training sessions, and participated in 186 membership and registration 1-2-1 support calls to support the professional development of members.
Presentations to 40 institutions in 2024 led to 3,158 full-time students and 104 apprentices joining RAeS, advancing engagement with future aerospace professionals through mentoring, resources and opportunities.
The Next Generation Board and Young Persons Committee delivered a diverse programme of activity to engage and support young professionals including the Aero Challenge, AeroTube, Young Professionals Conference and the annual Networking Reception.
Highlights from the Royal Aeronautical Society's Young Professionals Conference 2024
Celebrating LGBTQ+ People in STEM
The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) strategy continued to deliver a varied programme of events and activity with the Pride & Allies Group celebrating its first full year of operation.
The Women in Aviation, Aerospace and Space Committee (WAASC) marked its 15th anniversary, continuing its vital work supporting women in the RAeS and the broader sector.
International Women's Day Opening Speech
alta
The alta mentoring platform celebrated its 5th anniversary, experiencing significant growth with over 680 users and expanding its network of supporting partners.
Promoting professional standards
Ongoing reviews of academic programmes ensure graduates gain the knowledge and skills needed for Chartered or Incorporated Engineer registration. Our 2024 schedule included 11 visits to Higher Education Institutions and 2 to professional schemes, bringing accreditation totals to 37 universities and colleges, and 13 Professional Development Schemes.
In December 2024, the RAeS hosted an Academic Forum attended by over 25 academics from 19 universities, along with Accreditation Committee members, to share best practices and hear expert presentations on AI in academia and integrating new technologies into syllabi.
The End Point Assessment team, an IfATE-approved and Ofqual-regulated EPAO, supported the sector with a 15% growth, assessing over 400 apprentices and completing 800+ assessments across 4 engineering and manufacturing standards.
Deliver benefit to society
Educational outreach programs and events engaged over 1,500 children, inspiring interest in aerospace careers and supporting future talent through initiatives such as Cool Aeronautics, Project Altitude and major STEM events.
The Falcon 2 STEM programme, nearing completion, will provide accessible glider and flight simulators, introducing diverse learners, with a particular emphasis on those with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), to the wonder of flight.
Careers in Aerospace and Aviation LIVE, the only dedicated recruitment fair for the sector, welcomed 750 attendees to No.4 Hamilton Place in London to receive an inspiring programme of career advice and guidance to aid decision-making and connect with 25 organisations.
Highlights from Careers in Aerospace and Aviation LIVE 2024
2024 saw the launch of the Royal Aeronautical Society Foundation-funded oral history project, designed to both inspire the next generation and entertain members of the public, resulting in over 14,000 listens over the last year.
The National Aerospace Library took part in Heritage Open Days with Art and Aviation talks and tours which brought over 150 members of the public to see amazing material from the golden age of civil aviation.
Oral history project
National Aerospace Library