Structure & Constitution
The Patron of the Guild is His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of
Edinburgh KG KT and the Grand Master is His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew,
Duke of York KG KCVO.
The business of the Guild is conducted by a Court which consists of the Grand
Master, Master, Immediate Past Master, Wardens and Assistants. The Master,
Wardens and Assistants are elected yearly from the Livery on a rotation basis.
The secretariat is managed by the Clerk to the Guild.
The constitution of the
Guild has been established in order to represent pilot and navigator interests
within all areas of aviation. The majority of our members are or have been
professional licence holders both military and civil but we also have many
private licence holders. Our members operate aircraft not only in airlines and
all branches of Her Majesty s armed forces but also in every area of general
aviation, sporting aviation and private flying. The aircraft flown range from
supersonic military and civil, through single and multi- engine fixed wing and
helicopters, training aircraft, microlights, gliders and balloons to
experimental aircraft. Indeed, for many members the particular strength and
attraction of the Guild is this diverse spread of interests, together with an
entirely non- political outlook and a constitution which forbids it from
engaging in trade union activity.
The executive arm of the Court is the General Purposes and Finance Committee.
The Court is further assisted in its work by a number of committees, in
particular by the Technical and Air Safety, Education and Training and Trophies
and Awards Committees.
The Guild is unique amongst City Livery Companies in having active Regional
Committees in Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand. The Guild is a charitable
organisation and all the members of the court and the Committees are unpaid. The
only salaried staff are the Learned Clerk and the small secretariat.
Functions and Administration
Through the Court, led by the Master, the Guild serves as an active link
between its members and the regulatory and licensing authorities and is
concerned with aviation safety in all its aspects. Close liaison is maintained
with Ministers and their departments and with other learned societies and
associations engaged in aviation. In short, the Guild maintains contact with any
constituted body whose activities might affect the safety and welfare of air
pilots and air navigators. As an independent organisation the Guild has direct
access to Ministers, the Civil Aviation Authority and individual Members of
Parliament at all times. Our overseas Regional Committees perform similar
functions and help to maintain air safety standards worldwide.
History
Before the Guild was established in 1929 the future status of air pilots and
air navigators was very much in doubt. The small group of commercial pilots who
formed the Guild were virtually responsible for ensuring that their successors
enjoyed a professional status, and one of the Guild's objectives has been to
foster and improve that standing. From the beginning the Guild was modelled on
the lines of the old City Guilds and livery Companies, our constitution and by
laws being founded on those of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.
The Guild became a Livery Company of the City of London in 1956. This rarely
bestowed mark of distinction; the Guild being the 81st Company to
receive it in 800 years was a great factor in increasing the influence, not only
of the Guild, but of the entire profession of pilot and navigator in the United
Kingdom and overseas. Interestingly for such a young
profession, the Guild is almost the oldest of the ‘modern’ or ‘working’ Livery
Companies, which represent current professions.
Today there are 107 Livery Companies of the City of London.
The Guild celebrated it's 75th anniversary in 2004. For a short history of the Guild over this period click here.
Air Safety Activities
The first concern of the Guild is to sponsor and encourage action and
activities designed to ensure that aircraft, wherever they may be, are piloted
and navigated by men highly competent, self-reliant, dependable and respected.
The Guild has therefore, fostered the sound education and training of air pilots
and air navigators, from the initial training of the young pilot to the
specialist training of the more mature. It rewards those who have reached the
top of their profession through long years of experience and accomplishment and
those who, by outstanding achievement, have added to the lustre of their
calling.
Representing a unique body of professional and non- professional aviators
engaged upon duties which daily become more complex and exacting, the Guild
seeks constantly to maintain the highest standard of air safety, to improve
standards of operational skill and to inspire legislation compatible with the
rapid growth of aviation.
Advice on Legislation
The Guild is consulted by the United Kingdom, Australian and New Zealand
Governments on matters affecting aviation. There is a constant dialogue with the
UK Civil Aviation Authority on legislative proposals concerning the operation of
aircraft and many other matters affecting aviation. Examples are the revision of
air navigation legislation, flight time limitations, the use of airspace, the
legal status of the aircraft and its commander and many other subjects which
have a bearing on air safety. Over the years the Guild has made substantial
contribution to this work.
The Guild was the catalyst which brought together representatives of more
than twenty different societies, associations, airline operators and
manufacturers to form what is now called the British Air Transport Association
(BATA). When the UK Confidential Pilot Report System was called into question,
The Guild were instrumental in setting up CHIRP the Confidential Human Factors
Reporting Procedure. The Guild is actively pursuing research into Human Factors
and associated facets. In addition the Guild has official representatives on
numerous national boards, councils and committees. They include: The CAA's Civil
Air Transport Consultative Committee (CATCC), Flight Time Limitations - Fixed
Wing Advisory Group (FWAG) and Rotary Wing Advisory Group (RWAG), General Aviation Consultative
Committee (GACC), General Aviation Safety Review Working Group (GASRWG) and ICAO
Flight Crew Licensing Panel; General Aviation Safety Committee (GASCo); Guild of
Air Traffic Control Officers (GATCO); NATS - Stakeholders Committee, National
Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee (NATMAC) and Navigation
and All Weather Operations Committee (NavAWOC); UK Flight Safety
Committee and UK Airprox Board. In addition members of the Education & Training
Committee represent the Guild at City and Metropolitan Universities with respect
to their MSc's in Aviation Management. Through membership of these bodies, the
Guild is able to take part in the confidential discussion that precedes official
action by those ultimately responsible for the administration of aviation
safety.
Affiliated Armed Services Units
The Guild maintains a close affiliation with a number of
units of the Armed
Services. These are: No. IV (Army Co‑operation) Squadron
Royal Air Force, Army Air Corps, 847 Naval Air Squadron (Royal Marines), HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, No 55 (Reserve) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) – Red Arrows, 7 Regiment Army Air Corps (Volunteers),
University of London Air Squadron, Headquarters London Wing Air Training Corps,
Central Flying School
Trophies and Awards
To promote Air Safety, the Guild presents trophies and other awards for
outstanding performance in the realm of aviation by individuals or
organisations. The prestigious
Trophies and Awards Banquet takes place annually in the Guildhall, the
Mansion House or one of the great City Livery Halls.
The Guild Church - St Michael's Cornhill
The Guild has long enjoyed a close relationship with the Parish Church
of St Michael's, Cornhill in the City of London. The Annual Guild Service is
held there as is the Carol Service at Christmas. The Rector is an Honorary
Chaplain of the Guild.
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