Flying clubs, the FFA and the BIA: gateways to leisure aviation in France

The flying club, an association model

In France, the vast majority of leisure pilots learn to fly at a flying club, or aéroclub. These are non-profit associations, generally based at an aerodrome, that pool aircraft, instructors and facilities for the benefit of their members. Members pay an annual subscription and for the hours they fly, at rates intended to cover running costs rather than to make a profit.

This model has practical consequences. It makes flying more affordable than it would be in a purely commercial setting, but it relies heavily on volunteers: looking after premises, organising flying days, supervising young members and sometimes instruction.

The French Aeronautical Federation

Aeroplane flying clubs are mostly affiliated to the French Aeronautical Federation (FFA). According to federation figures compiled by the DGAC for 2022, the FFA had:

• 580 flying clubs;
• 41,719 members;
• 1,759 aircraft owned and 2,143 aircraft operated;
• around 512,000 flight hours over the year.

The federation represents clubs before the public authorities, supports how they operate, notably in flight safety and training, and organises competitions. Other federations cover neighbouring disciplines: the French Microlight Federation, the French Gliding Federation, ballooning, and free flight for paragliding and hang-gliding.

What happens at a flying club?

A flying club is first of all a place to train. Members prepare private pilot licences, PPL or LAPL, with dedicated instructors and aircraft. Most clubs offer a trial lesson, which lets you take the controls with an instructor before deciding to sign up.

It is also a place for licensed pilots to fly, renting club aircraft for their own flights, and a social hub: group outings, air touring, skills development and navigation practice.

A network of small aerodromes

Flying clubs are spread across the whole country, including rural areas, often at small aerodromes with no commercial flights. This network means many people can find a club within a reasonable distance of home. It also makes these associations part of local life, through open days, introductory flights and visits from schools.

Young people can start early: European rules allow a student aeroplane pilot to make a first solo flight from the age of 16, with the licence itself available from 17.

The BIA, a first aviation qualification

For younger people, the brevet d'initiation aéronautique (BIA), or aeronautical initiation certificate, is often a first step. It is a qualification awarded by the French education ministry, governed by an amended order of 19 February 2015, that recognises general knowledge of aeronautics and space. It is open to all young people aged 13 or over.

The examination consists of a compulsory written test and an optional English test. The syllabus covers several areas:

• aerodynamics and flight mechanics;
• aircraft knowledge;
• meteorology;
• navigation and flight safety;
• the history of aviation and space.

Preparation for the BIA is often offered in secondary schools, sometimes in partnership with a flying club, which gives pupils a chance to discover an aerodrome first-hand and, in some cases, to make a first flight.

To support this teaching, the education ministry awards another qualification, the certificat d'aptitude à l'enseignement aéronautique (CAEA), for teachers, students and professionals who wish to teach aeronautics and space. It includes a written eligibility test and an oral admission test.

How to get started

For a teenager, the BIA is a natural gateway, providing the theoretical basics before any flight training. For an adult, the simplest approach is to contact the nearest flying club and book a trial lesson. Clubs, federations and some public bodies also run support schemes for young people, with varying conditions, so it is worth asking your club directly before you start.