Royal Air Squadron
The Royal Air Squadron is a flying club in the United Kingdom founded in 1966 by Peter Vanneck, the Hon. Hugh Astor and Anthony Cayzer - friends who shared a passionate interest in flying light aircraft. Prince Philip is the Squadron’s Air Commodore. Two of the earliest members were Second World War heroes Sir Douglas Bader and Hugh Dundas. Others included Sir Max Aitkin, Tommy Sopwith, Kenneth McAlpine, John Houlder and Lord Waterpark.
The RAS was founded as "The Air Squadron" in 1966. In 2016 the association was granted the right to use the title "Royal".
The RAS has gone on various group flights in several countries - including:
Russia, Jordan, Tanzania, USA, Pakistan, South Africa, Serbia, Ukraine.
The RAS sponsors several awards, listed as follows by the awarding institution.
British Aerobatic Association:
Royal Air Force Air Cadets:
South African Air Force
United States Air Force:
- The Air Squadron Millennium Sword of Friendship. The sword is kept in the Pentagon and awarded to the top Air Force cadet each year.
