L'Aeroclub

In the early 1930s, two separate aviation clubs took flight in Catalonia: the Aeroclub Barcelona and the Aeroclub de Sabadell i del Vallès. These entities operated independently, each fostering a community of early aviation enthusiasts. However, their parallel journeys were interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, which halted their activities. After the war, both clubs resumed operations, but a new challenge emerged. The growth of commercial aviation at Barcelona's El Prat airport began to squeeze out the space available for sport flying. Facing this pressure, the presidents of the two clubs were presented with a pivotal choice: compete for scarce resources or unite. The defining moment came on July 27, 1953, when the two clubs executed a merger, creating the Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell. This was not an acquisition but a strategic fusion. By pooling their resources and consolidating at the Sabadell airfield, they created a powerhouse. The result was immediate, leading to upgraded facilities and an expanded capacity for training and flying. This new, unified club quickly established itself as a leader in Spanish aviation, earning the reputation of "the best aeroclub in Spain." The playbook was clear: offer a wide range of aviation disciplines and build a strong member community. By the late 1960s, the club accounted for a quarter of all hours flown by Spain's aeroclubs and had grown to 850 members, a testament to the success of its founding merger.