Private Enterprise in British Air Transport

Abstract

The twenty-first British Commonwealth Lecture, “Private Enterprise in British Air Transport”, was given before the Society by F. A. Laker, ARAeS, on 14th October 1965 in the Lecture Theatre, 4 Hamilton Place, London W.1. The Chair was taken by the President, Sir George Gardner, KBE, CB, HonDSc, BSc, HonFRAeS. Introducing the Lecturer, Sir George said that after a brief start in automobile engineering, Mr. Laker had switched in 1938 to aircraft—with Short Brothers. He thought that Mr. Laker really came into prominence in 1947 when he formed Aviation Traders Ltd, and not long afterwards Air Charter Ltd, which later merged with the Airwork Group. Mr. Laker had kept on expanding his interests and formed British United Airways of which, as they knew, he was Managing Director. Mr. Laker was a qualified pilot, as well as an engineer and flew his own Cessna aircraft round the various bases of his organisation. He was also President of the Society of Licensed Aircraft Engineers and Technologists.