The association was founded in 1981 by our present President, JF BRUNA-ROSSO, inspired by the example of the Aile Anciennes Paris, a group of enthusiasts who are still working in collaboration with the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace du Bourget to restore aircraft for exhibition.

It’s an ambitious target, isn’t it? We have no primary direction within aviation, just the aim to save all and any aeronautical material we can find. All the work that it implies has been with the objective of eventually getting the collection under cover in a suitable building, a Toulouse Aeronautical Museum.

But do not misunderstand. We only restore aircraft etc. for static display. They do not fly and will never fly within the framework of the present association. There are several arguments to defend this philosophy which has sometimes been criticised…...

As a rule, our members are not qualified to work on flying aircraft

Our finances would be totally inadequate, and as yet we have no millionaire in the association

We prefer to work on all and any kind of aircraft etc., knowing that to restore them for flight would necessarily limit us to light aircaft.

The Members Of The Association

Anybody with the will and the motivation can become a member of the Association. Absoluteley no qualifications are required (except perhaps an unexplainable and overpowering passion for anything that flies.)

Given the width of the various activities and the support of the more experienced members you learn as you go. It has to be admitted that certain tasks, such as stripping down, only require a little elbow grease and patience (which have their place in all our regular and necessary activities).

In general, we meet to work on Saturday mornings, but that should not stop you from coming during the week if that is possible for you.

How to become a Member

The subscription is just 15€ (minimum) per year. That will give you the opportunity of coming to de-rust components etc. in convivial company, but more importantly you will see and have the posibilty of working on these unique machines as much as you like.

You have 2 possibilities :

• Participating Member As well as subscribing, you can also regularly on Saturdays ans participate in the restoration work.
• Friend If , for any reason, e.g. family, professional, transport constraints, etc., it is difficult to come regularly, then come and see us whenever you can.

If you are still interested, then do not hesitate any longer – join us. [Membership page]

OUR FUNDS

Although we have several sources for funds…….

• Visits to the Collection [Visits page]
• Sales of souvenir pins, stickers, tee-shirts etc. in our shop.
• Subscriptions from members (around 150)
• Subsidies from some of the local councils and organisations …… they are still fairly inadequate

SOURCE OF OUR AIRCRAFTS

At the moment, we have around sixty different aircraft, plus a large number of engines and various accessories.

We are often asked how we have managed to get together such a wide collection with our limited funding. In fact, we generally pick up aircraft or components that are out of life,therefore have no market value, and can be donated to the Association.

Also, we have been able to exchange aircraft with other associations or museums, as was the case for the F-104 and Mig 21 from a German aircraft museum