Press - La Conquête de l'Air

This magazine was the official publication of the Aero-Club of Belgium, founded in 1901. It claims - probably with good reason - to be the oldest aeronautical magazine in the world. The first issue of "La Conquête de l'Air" (in French) was published on 1 May 1904. Its founder and first editor-in-chief was Count Adhémar de La Hault, a great Belgian balloonist.

In 1926, the Aero Club was allowed to add 'Royal' to its title. A Dutch edition entitled 'Lucht en Ruimtevaart' was added later. Publication continued until 1978, when the magazine merged with the Belgian monthly 'Aviastro' and took the title 'La Conquête de L'Air Aviastro'. Although it was originally designed to be distributed to Aero Club members, it was also sold at newsstands.

In 1984, "Carnets de Vol" took over as the official members' magazine, but this arrangement ceased at the end of 1989 and currently the A.C.R.B. communicates through its website http://www.belgianaeroclub.be/. .

Until at least 1926, the A.C.B. also published an annual "Yearbook" of its members, recording aeronautical events, competition results and flight records for the previous twelve months. These are now sought-after collectors' items.

Further information: A.C.R.B., Rue Montoyer 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.

http://www.belgianaeroclub.be/