Royal Aeronautical Society Prestwick Branch

20/05/2026

Today marks 45 years since the rollout of the BAe 146 at Hatfield. The 146 has strong links to Prestwick, where the engine pylons were manufactured (along with the tailplane and wing components later on), and where a number of BAe staff were involved in its support (and still are today). It was the last civil aircraft manufactured by BAE Systems, with production ceasing in 2001. With 387 aircraft produced, the Avro RJ/BAe 146 is the most successful British civil jet airliner programme.

16/05/2026

Petition: Ensure the Red Arrows fly a British-designed and built aircraft

The Red Arrows represent British engineering, skill and national identity. We believe this iconic team should continue to showcase British aerospace excellence by flying a new British-designed and built aircraft when their existing aircraft are retired.

The Red Arrows represent British engineering, skill and national identity. We believe this iconic team should continue to showcase British aerospace excellence by flying a new British-designed and built aircraft when their existing aircraft are retired.

11/05/2026

Ryanair (Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd.) Visit - April 2026

The Prestwick Branch of the RAeS would like to thank Ryanair (PAML) for hosting a visit for a group of 10 members. Special thanks to Vicky Lambert (GM) and our guide for the day Dougie Weir (Base Maintenance Manager) who toured us through all the maintenance bays and gave an in depth explanation of the checks being carried out. The aircraft ranged from nearly new 737 Max to an aircraft coming up on 20 years old. In addition to the scheduled maintenance checks some of the aircraft are being modified to add the Split Simitar Winglet. A very interesting visit and we wish PAML every success in the future as they look at hangar expansion.

11/05/2026

A reminder of this evening’s lecture

Our next lecture will be “The Ryanair Engineering / PAML Operation at Prestwick & Overseas, presented by Dougie Weir. Monday the 11th of May, start time 7pm, at UWS Ayr Campus Lecture Theatre 2. Registration will be open from 6pm.

04/05/2026

Our next lecture will be “The Ryanair Engineering / PAML Operation at Prestwick & Overseas, presented by Dougie Weir. Monday the 11th of May, start time 7pm, at UWS Ayr Campus Lecture Theatre 2. Registration will be open from 6pm.

10/04/2026

Spitfire90 TRIP UPDATE:

Route 4 is now live, departing RAF Lossiemouth at 10:00am to Prestwick Airport. Exact routing and timings are subject to weather changes.

09/04/2026

Tomorrow a Spitfire will be landing at Prestwick as part of the Spitfire 90th anniversary circumnavigation of Great Britain. It will be spending the weekend at Prestwick before departing for RAF Valley on Monday the 13th. Please see the Spitfires.com page below for more information.

Spitfire90 UK TRIP UPDATE

Flight 4 of 9 is now confirmed. Departing (subject to weather) from RAF Lossiemouth at 10:00am on the 10th of April, during the flight K5054 will meet up alongside with 2 x RAF Typhoons.

Don't forget the auction for this flight ends today 22nd March at 08:15PM.
https://www.spitfires.com/product-page/leg-4-raf-lossiemouth-prestwick

Keep checking our social media sites for the latest updates to the trip.

03/04/2026

Our next lecture is "The Story of 'Big Bev' - The Challenges of Restoring a Big Aircraft" by Dougie Kerr MBE, chairman of the Solway Aviation Museum.

Monday 13th of April at 7pm, back in our usual venue at UWS Ayr. Registration will be open from 6pm and the branch library will be available.

08/03/2026

25/02/2026

Our next lecture is the McIntyre Lecture, which will be “Airbus - My Exciting Journey” by Tom Williams CBE. This will be on Tuesday the 10th of March at Ayrshire College Ayr Campus, 7pm start.

Please note the different week day and venue to normal, we also advise arriving in good time before the lecture starts as the McIntyre has a higher attendance. Registration is open from 6pm. Please see images for further details.