Association des professionnels navigants de l'aviation facts for kids

The Association des professionnels navigants de l'aviation (APNA) is a French group for people who work in civil aviation. It started in 1927. APNA helps bring together pilots, mechanics, and other aircrew members. Its goal is to support the growth of aviation in France. They work with government groups, plane makers, and airlines.

APNA's Story

APNA was created in 1927 by Joseph Sadi-Lecointe. For many years, it was the main group representing aircrew to authorities and airlines. Today, APNA still helps with aeronautical development in Europe. They work closely with governments and airlines.

How APNA Started

In 1926, people realized that new aviation jobs needed a proper structure. Pilots and mechanics met to discuss this idea. They wanted to create an association to support their profession. On December 11, 1926, a group of pilots sent out a message to other air professionals.

The first big meeting was held on February 9, 1927. They chose their first leaders:

• President: Faillant Henry
• Vice-chair: Coupet Lucien
• Vice-chair: Sadi Lecointe
• Treasurer: Charpentier René
• Assistant treasurer: Bossoutrot Lucien
• Secretary: Val Serge
• Assistant secretary: Douchy René

Other important members included Bellonte Maurice and Jean Laulhé. Most of these people were professional aviators. The president, Henry Faillant, was an industrialist.

What APNA Aims For

At this first meeting, they decided to keep the name APNA. They also agreed on the group's goals. APNA wanted to unite pilots, navigators, mechanics, and photographers. They aimed to help these professionals work together. The group also wanted to support the growth of aviation in France. A key goal was to help pilots who had accidents. They also wanted to support their families.

APNA also planned to work on important topics like:

• Insurance for aircrew
• Pensions and Retirement homes
• Professional status and contracts
• Safety studies and investigations
• Fair salaries and allowances
• Training courses for pilots
• How taxes affect aviators

APNA officially became a non-profit group on May 22, 1927.

Early Achievements

APNA worked hard to improve insurance for aircrew. Their efforts led to a new law on March 30, 1928. This law defined who counted as aircrew. It said that military, maritime, and technical aviation staff who regularly fly are aircrew.

President Henry Faillant suggested holding an International Congress of Professional Aviation. This big event happened on June 16-18, 1928, in Reims. APNA organized it with other aviation groups.

In December 1928, the FNA (Fédération Nationale des Aviateurs) was formed. APNA joined this group to help accident victims. They created an emergency fund for those not covered by insurance.

Over the next few years, APNA worked with the government. They focused on making flights safer. They also helped create official rules for pilots.

Famous Members

Two APNA members became very famous in 1930. They were Dieudoné Costes and Maurice Bellonte.

In 1935, the Minister of Air asked APNA's president for help. He wanted APNA to organize the "Civil Aviation" part of an air festival. This festival took place on June 1-2 in Villacoublay. The president of APNA was also on the Air Navigation Safety Committee. This committee was led by Dieudonné Costes.

Legal Status and Unions

On March 25, 1936, a law finally set the legal status for Civil Aviation Aircrew. This law made it necessary for employees to form unions. Unions could then discuss collective contracts. APNA created the first union for Aircrew Professionals. This union had three parts: Tests, Line, and Aerial Work. It worked until the war, focusing on contracts and public aviation. APNA also kept its role as a friendly association. This proved to be a smart decision.

In 1936, the floatplane La Croix du Sud disappeared near Dakar. Jean Mermoz and three of his crew members were part of APNA. Every year, a ceremony remembers Jean Mermoz in Neuilly.

Training and War Years

A meeting on February 24, 1939, marked a new step for APNA. They planned to create a school for pilots. This school would train pilots for line flying, testing, and aerial work. The Ministry provided money for an official Air Navigation School.

The school's plans included:

• Strict medical exams for candidates
• Training for air navigation certificates
• Piloting without visibility (PSV) courses
• Using a Link-Trainer for practice

When World War II started on September 3, 1939, APNA's activities changed. On November 27, Henry Guillaumet’s plane was shot down. Four crew members were APNA members. During the war, APNA mainly offered moral and financial support.

In 1944, the first two female pilots joined APNA. They were Maryse Bastié and Maryse Hilsz.

After the war, air transport grew a lot. This led to new needs and the creation of other unions. APNA became less active for a while.

In 1952, APNA created the National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL). This union focused specifically on helping airline pilots.

APNA's Impact

APNA has achieved many important things, including:

• The 1928 law for the Civil Aviation Provident Fund.
• Helping to create trade unions.
• Getting a 45% tax reduction for business expenses.
• Writing the Status of Aircrew Professionals (1936 law).
• Supporting the families of fallen comrades.
• Helping unemployed members and those mobilized during wartime.

APNA Leaders

Presidents of APNA

• 1927 – 1930: Henry Faillant
• 1930 – 1939: Joseph Sadi Lecointe
• 1939 – 1944: Michel Detroyat
• 1944 – 1946: Lucien Coupet
• 1946 – 1952: René Le Bail
• 1952 – 1962: Jean Dabry
• 1962 – 1967: A. Goepfert
• 1985 – 1994: Claude Bechet
• 1994 – 2005: Xavier Barral
• 2005 – 2011: Claude Guilbert
• 2011 – 2021: Geoffroy Bouvet