About

About

Who we are

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) is the professional association and registered trade union established to represent the interests of all UK pilots. We represent over 10,000 pilots and are recognised in 23 different companies; that’s over 85% of all commercial pilots flying in the UK. The association holds the largest collective resource of commercial pilot qualification and experience in the UK

Committees

As an organisation of highly-trained flight deck professionals, BALPA has unrivalled access to the expertise and experience of its 10,000 members. Many pilots form specialist study groups or committees to support our professional and technical services. Together, they represent a body of knowledge covering the following areas.

Our team

BALPA is a community of elected pilot representatives and pilot volunteers, managed by a pilot executive, and supported by over 40 full-time staff members and professional specialists. Find out who you need to contact from our HQ team of staff.

National Executive Council (NEC)

The National Executive Council (NEC) is the elected body that is responsible for the Association. As well as generating policy and association strategy, the NEC ensures that the organisation is run in an efficient, legal and responsible manner.

Our history

Eric Lane Burslem, eventually BALPA’s first chairman, set up a pilots’ association in response to the irresponsible attitude of his airline towards flight safety. He worked with other pilots to create an ‘Organising Committee’ who proposed the first set of association rules to a mass meeting of pilots on 27th June 1937.

BALPA Documents

Access detailed information on how BALPA operates on behalf of its members. Included here are financial reports, rules for the association and other key documentation.

Rules of the British Air Line Pilots Association

389kb

Accounts 2015

778kB

BALPA Ethics Guide

714kb

The Log Autumn 2016

5.2MB

BALPA Safety Plan 2017

3MB

Government drops new laws on dangerous laser pens – pilots say it’s infuriating and dangerous

Despite “dangerously high” figures on laser attacks on aircraft, the new Government has dropped plans to introduce tougher laws, a move which the UK pilots’ association says is “infuriating and dangerous”.

Thursday 22 June 2017

Pilots renew calls for swift decisions to protect UK aviation industry

Pilots say politicians need to take urgent measures to ensure the UK aviation is able to compete with its rivals globally. The calls for politicians to step up decision making come as we approach the anniversary of the UK voting to leave the European Union.

Wednesday 21 June 2017

The legacy of Papa India

Steve Landells looks at how the UK's worst ever air accident changed how we investigate crashes.

Thursday 15 June 2017