AIRPLANES in the history of SABENA
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Characteristics
Book cover finish | Offset varnish, Perfect paperback |
Special feature | VOLUME 6 - 2nd EDITION |
Condition | Used, very good condition |
Number of pages | 120 |
Published date | Undated |
Language | English |
Collection / Series | LUFTFAHRT-VERLAG WALTER ZUERL |
Size | 10 x 15 x 0.65 cm |
Editor |
Der Flieger |
Description
How S.A.B.E.N.A. was born and has grown
LESS than three months after the Armistice of November 1918, there appeared in Brussels a little book of only 47 pages which was to lead to the creation of commercial aviation in Belgium.
It was entitled " Belgian Expansion through Aviation ". Its author was commandant aviateur Georges Nélis, Chief of the Technical Services of the Belgian Military Aeronautics. Throughout the four years of the war, he had taken part in the rapid evolution of what was then a new weapon, the aeroplane.
( ... ) In the view of Nélis, " the creation of a strong civil air fleet was vital to the military and economic needs of the country ". Civil aviation must provide a reserve for the air force and also make it possible for " relations between people and nations separated by thousands of kilometres to become as close and as frequent as between neighbours ".
In the first stage of development, the necessary equipment had to be provided by adapting former military aircraft for civil use.
This plan, which combined visionary qualities and a good element of robust common sense, rapidly won the support of official and financial circles. A National Syndicate for the Study of Air Transport ( S.N.E.T.A. ) was soon set up. From the start it devoted itself to preparing for the establishment of airlines both in Europe and in Belgian Congo.
( ... ) In November 1919, S.N.E.T.A. was formed into a company, and organised pioneer squadrons which within one year were to make 6.000 exploratory flights at Brussels, Antwerp and Spa.
( ... ) On June 1st, 1922, considering that its mission was finished, S.N.E.T.A. suspended its services. However, the experience it had accumulated was not to be wasted. From the technical as well as the administrative and financial point of view, it had laid down the basis for a viable airline company.
The statutes of the Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne ( Belgian Air Navigation Development Company ) were approved. Better known by the name of S.A.B.E.N.A., made up of the initials of the words that form its full title, the Belgian air company now came to birth. Its arrival was recorded legally on May 23rd, 1923. ( ... )