Membership

UPPER FREEMAN
A professional pilot or navigator, military, civil or test pilot, with five or more years experience.

FREEMAN
Similar qualifications as above, but with less than five years experience
OR a private pilot with two years experience and a minimum of 75 hours
OR any other person who, in the opinion of Court, has rendered or may render outstanding service to the profession or to the Guild

ASSOCIATE
A person engaged in training as a professional, private or military pilot (or WSO)
OR the holder of a PPL or equivalent with less than two years experience
OR a person under 35 years of age, irrespective of flying experience

NB for all categories, equivalent experience in a glider, hang glider, balloon, microlight or airship is acceptable.

All applicants aged under 35 are automatically eligible for membership of the Guild Young Members’ Group (GYM)

Membership application form
Please note: Potential members who are resident in Australia are directed to the Australian Regional website www.gapan.org.au for details of membership fees in Australia, and the appropriate application form.

The Livery

This is limited by statute to 600 and is conferred by the Court on persons who have contributed significantly to aviation or the Guild. Liverymen are required to have the Freedom of the City of London. Any Freeman can apply for this privilege, it is not necessary to be invited to the Livery.

NOTE Prior to becoming a Liveryman, a member must have obtained the Freedom of the City of London. A member need not wait until an invitation to take the Livery has been extended - any member may become 'Free of the City'. It is a relatively simple process for those UK based, but since two visits to the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall are required, it may be a little more difficult for those based overseas. Members living overseas may ask the Guild office to make the first visit. The second visit entails a delightful ceremony in the Chamberlain's Court, a procedure which it is believed dates back to the 13th Century.

The medieval term 'freeman' meant someone who was not the property of a feudal lord, but enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land. Town dwellers who were protected by the charter of their town or city were often free - hence the term 'freedom of the City'.

Fees

Fees should be paid by direct debit if possible. Fees for those professionally engaged in aviation may be eligible to be offset against taxed income since the Guild is a recognised Professional Body. A direct debit form will be sent to each applicant on successful election by the Court. For those members without the facility of a UK bank account, it is now possible to pay subscriptions by MasterCard or VISA

Details of all forms of Membership and Fees can be obtained from the Clerk at Cobham House.

Membership Application

Application forms for Guild membership may be downloaded from this site. However, when completed they must be posted or delivered to the Guild offices at 9 Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London WC1R 5DJ.

Contact Details

In order to keep an efficient record of member details, you are invited to advise any changes in personal or professional details to the Guild using the facilities of this web site.

Master Air Pilot/Navigator Certificates

The award of this certificate, signed by the Grand Master, is an honour to a pilot or navigator, not necessarily a member of the Guild, who has in the opinion of the Court displayed over a number of years those qualities of pilotage, air navigation, airmanship and character which have brought honour and respect to the profession.

Guild Publications

Guild Members receive an bi-monthly issue of the Guild News. These publications include up to date information on the aviation scene and Guild activities.

Honorary Medical Advisers

The Guild has several Honorary Medical Advisers who are available to give confidential advice to members. Their experience covers all aspects of aviation.

Honorary Chaplains

The Guild Chaplains are always available to members. In addition they attend all meetings of the Court, conduct the Guild Annual Service and actively participate in the workings of the Guild.

Legal Advice

The Guild has long recognised that its members may, from time to time, need urgent and specialised legal advice in connection with their professional duties as pilots and navigators. This need could arise for example, with a prosecution for an aeronautical offence or an aircraft accident investigation. Although the Guild is not in a position to provide free legal advice it has arranged with its Honorary Solicitors to be willing to give free first aid advice in such cases. If further, more detailed advice is required, the Honorary Solicitors will usually be willing to arrange for this to be given at a fee which takes into account, where possible, Guild membership.

Technical Advice

The Guild has an extensive Technical Library and the Technical Director, Captain Chris Hodgkinson, can often be of assistance to members seeking aviation advice. In particular the Guild seeks to advise the media and to assist and guide their reporting of aviation matters. The first point of contact on media affairs is the Learned Clerk.

Assistance in Distress

The Guild has, with the aid of gifts and bequests, established a Benevolent Fund with which the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and other bodies are associated. A separate pamphlet available from the Clerk gives full details.

Professional Visits Committee

Many events are arranged each year where members may meet on professional visits and exchange ideas on aviation matters. All aspects of aviation are covered and full details are sent to members by post.

The Guild Flying Club

As part of last year’s re-launch of the Guild Flying Club two new categories of membership were introduced: Country Members and Passenger Members.

The West London Aero Club at White Waltham offers a special reduced subscription to Guild Flying Club members (currently £140 for individuals, £150 for Family membership). This is a valuable concession but is still an unnecessary expense for Guild members who do not fly from White Waltham but wish to be members of the Guild Flying Club. Country Membership, with a nominal subscription to cover administrative expenses (currently £10), has been introduced to cover this situation.

Passenger Membership, also with a nominal subscription (currently £10), was introduced for those Guild members who no longer hold current licences but would still like to get airborne occasionally. Flying members are encouraged to offer Passenger Members spare seats in their aircraft for Flying Club events.