Reading Aero Club

Club History Mission Statement

Mission Statement:

The Reading Aero Club is one of the oldest continuously active flying club in the United States. Though by no means the largest of its kind, the organization has maintained a unique status as a non-profit corporation in which all members hold equal shares and are eligible to participate in the running of the club. Over the years (we celebrated our 75th year in 2007) the basic purpose of the club has remained the same

... to encourage aviation in general;

... to acquire, preserve and disseminate valuable information and
    knowledge through books, lectures, pamphlets on the subject of
    aviation;

... to acquire, own and maintain aircraft, hangars, club house and
    personal property for the use of the club members;

... and to promote the safe use thereof in the interests of the protection
    of public and private property.

-- from our incorporation notice, 1932
filed with the Commonwealth of PA

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Club History

In 1929, a group of fourteen men with a common interest in flying each contributed an equal amount to a fund for the purchase of two airplanes – Curtis Wright Juniors. After three years of informal operation, the group decided to incorporate into a more formal organization; in March 1932, the first meeting of the Reading Aero Club was held. The first meeting took place in a field shed at Whander Field, just south of present-day Leesport, and the first order of business was to elect a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. Accepting the nominations for these positions were:


			   President             - George B. Fisher
			   Vice-President        - Carl A. Reber
			   Secetary              - Samuel Celone
			   Treasurer             - George Bennett

A committee was appointed to develop a set of bylaws, provide membership cards, and to design a club emblem. Among other topics at the first meeting were the admission of associate members, and the eventual organization of a girls’ group in the club.

     The group of twelve members quickly grew too large for the meeting headquarters and in 1935 they relocated to Madeira field, opposite the Reading Fairgrounds. Another airplane was purchased – a Travelair biplane – and the club began to consider building their own hanger to reduce rental costs. Soon, the Travelair was traded for an Aeronca, membership grew to about 50 members, and the club outgrew their Madeira field location.

    In 1937, the Aero Club found suitable land to lease about a mile north of the present Reading Municipal Airport, and by spring 1938, the members had begun construction of a 2400 foot airstrip and seven hangars. It was officially named Berks Airport.

    The official dedication of Reading Municipal Airport, about one mile from Berks Airport was on October 7 and 8, 1939. In spite of the close proximity to each other and the advent of World War II, Berks Airport remained operational. Club membership declined due to the enlistment of many active members but a core group of men continued meetings throughout the wartime period. In 1943, an all-girl flying club based at Madeira field, called the “Flying Ten Club”, began negotiating with the officers of the Reading Aero Club for group membership.

     After the war, the club quickly regained its membership and by 1946 had 100 members ranging in age from 16 to 60 years old and seven airplanes housed in two hangars. In 1965, the club began occupying space at Reading Municipal Airport and leasing a meeting room from Reading Aviation Service, Inc. Located at the west ramp of the field and adjacent to where the club keeps its airplanes, this meeting room is still the location of the Reading Aero Club.

In 1980, an extensive renovation project in the clubhouse included insulation, dry wall and paneling – a project completed entirely by the membership.

from The Reading Aero Club: 50 Years of Aviation in Berks County, publ. 1982

The Reading Aero Club - After 40
Article from the booklet titled "The Reading Aero Club 1932-1972"
From the Historical Society of Berks County's web site

Reading Aero Club "The First Fifty Years"

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