History of Air Navigation Group

The History of Air Navigation Group was formed in 1989 with two main objectives. The first was to produce and maintain a definitive record of air navigation techniques used since the beginning of the 20th Century. The Group’s work towards achieving this aim has resulted in the publication of Air navigation from balloons to Concorde edited by Walter Blanchard, available in the RIN Shop.

The second objective was to organise a series of meetings presenting topics of interest to air historians. Meetings have been held twice a year since 1994 and more recently three times a year. The emphasis is, where possible, on the ‘this is how we did it’ approach since each generation of retiring navigators is creating more recent history.

The meetings are usually held midweek at Shoreham Airport or Tangmere Aircraft Museum and inevitably many members are unable to get to the meetings for reasons of time or distance. All the meetings are recorded on CDs so that the history is not lost and so that it can be available for all the members of HANG.

The History Group consists of about 250 members and an illustrated newsletter is sent out six times a year. The newsletter will always include an article on some historical artefact, feedback and ‘readers’ letters’ from members as well as details of the future programme of talks. A copy of the most recent newsletter can be sent to any interested person.

For more information or to get involved in the HANG, contact the Chair.