Formed in 1971 by a small group of aviation-interested persons by the side of the fence of what was then RAF Luqa one Saturday afternoon, the group called itself the Malta Aircraft Enthusiasts (MAE). At first this small group of aircraft buffs held meetings at the private homes of the various members until a more routine schedule of fortnightly meetings started being held in Valletta. Such meetings included visits by various RAF pilots who happened to be on exercises in Malta from time to time, slide shows and various aviation-photography competitions. The swelling number of members soon required a change of venue for such meetings and for many years members met at a building within the playing field in Valletta’s suburb.
As the MAE gained momentum, a yearly national event in the shape of an exhibition, was held and this attracted a good number of visitors which in turn continued to increase the membership. Due to a law that came in force in the 70’s and which prohibited the use of the word Malta, MAE was obliged to change its name to the Association of Aircraft Enthusiasts until a further legal change allowed the word to be used again. This time AAE switched to its present name of the Malta Aviation Society, now a fully-recognized NGO.
MAS holds fortnightly meetings at its present quarters and include, much as they did in its infancy years, many presentations by people in the aviation industry as well as digital photography shows and various discussions. For the past years, Malta Aviation Society has been organising the Malta International Airshow that attracts thousands of visitors from Malta and further afield and has come to be considered as one of the most-sought-after outdoor event on the national calendar. From the very first Malta airshow in 1993, the event has consistently been held during the last full weekend of September and has attracted participants from over 35 nations.
The Malta Aviation Society now enjoys an average membership of over 200 members from all ages and has successfully provided the nation with a cadre of people who have made their hobby develop into full-time careers including air-traffic controllers, pilots, military personnel etc. Indeed, the aim of MAS has always been “To Foster Interest in Aviation” and the members’ meetings and the airshow go a long way in fostering such interest.
Affectionately known by its members as “The Club”, the Malta Aviation Society now has over 40 years of tradition in aviation matters, is presently the main organisation that speaks aviation and confidently looks into the future as being the meeting point for all things aviation.
