Who are TAS?

The Aviation Society or TAS as it is widely known, is based at Manchester Airport. It is the largest aviation society outside of London with 1500 members and over 50 years of unbroken experience. We organise more activities for aviation enthusiasts than any other similar society in the UK. Our varied events, provision of information, assistance with employment opportunities within the industry,development of spectator facilities and support for “good causes” make us unique.

The Committee of the society represent the Membership and undertake their roles on a voluntary basis. The current Committee come from a very wide variety of back grounds including:- Airport Management, Commercial Pilot, Air Traffic Control, Royal Air Force, Aircraft Engineering, Handling Agent, Civil Services, Local Government, Airport Security, Fire Service, Retail,… all have an unquestionable passion for aviation and helping others enjoy our fascinating hobby.

We are a “not for profit” society which simply means that any monies raised by the society (by events for example) are returned to the society to subsidise our activities or donated to local good causes eg:- NW Air Ambulance, Christie Cancer Hospital, Avro Heritage Museum.

THE AIM

The aim of the Society is to bring together people with the same interest and provide them with the best facilities and information possible whilst in pursuit of their hobby.

Manchester Airport, airlines and other aviation related organisations actively support us in the many varied activities that we organise for the Membership.  

Our Members receive a monthly magazine (Winged Words) with news and features about Manchester Airport . The magazine covers information on aircraft which have visited the airport to those that are due to visit in the future. Airport developments, new routes and historical features are all covered.

Events organised by the Society are all listed in the magazine:- from trips to Airports at home and overseas to Behind the Scenes Tours at Airports to Social Evenings with prominent guest speakers from the “World of Aviation”.  TAS will have something for you!

The Society also has a commercial arm - TAS Trading Ltd (TTL), which operates The Aviation Shop at Manchester Airport (Runway Visitor Park). TAS Members may obtain discounts on items purchased from the shop through participation in our Members Loyalty scheme. Any profits from the Commercial arm are returned to the Society.

TTL also provides the Tour Guides and the Commentary Team at the airports Runway Visitor Park (RVP). Each of which have an unquestionable knowledge of the Airport, the Airlines and Aircraft operating.

We also organise charitable events such as the bi-annual Aviation and Memorabilia Fair at the RVP, as well as other events throughout the summer.

If you are technically minded you may help with the restoration and ongoing care and maintenance of aircraft at the Runway Visitor Park via our TAS Volunteer Engineering Team. We bring together highly experienced aircraft engineers with complete novices to help keep the aircraft in tip top condition.

The society is very active in raising funds for good causes via our various events. Over many years substantial monies have been raised (and support given) for various local and national charities including:- Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester, Neurological Research and Care (Salford), Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion, Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital (Birkenhead), RNIB, RAF Benevolent Fund, NW Air Ambulance, Help the Aged, Child Flight, Blood Bikes, Gurkhas, RAF Cadets and the Avro Heritage Museum. We also work closely with Manchester Airport supporting their own nominated charity and community events.

From organising flights in Hot Air Balloons to Gliders to Boeing 747’s, A380’s to beautiful historical aircraft and Executive Jets. Over the years there are probably few aircraft types we haven’t organised trips on or places of aeronautical interest we haven’t travelled to!

It is the wealth of experience, comprehensive range of activities and close relationship with Manchester Airport that make TAS the success that it is today.

Members benefit from this success in many ways. You could too, by joining today… Click on “Join TAS” on the main menu to become a member.