Profile of the RAeC Chairman

David Roberts started gliding with the Worcestershire Club in 1969. He has been a keen competition pilot and was organiser of several major national competitions. He enjoys flying overseas, particularly in the French Alps. He became Chairman of the Cotswold Gliding Club and took a major role in securing the future of the Club when it purchased Aston Down airfield.

David served as Chairman of the British Gliding Association 2000-2006 and is now a Vice-President. He is First Vice-President of the European Gliding Union. He was Vice President of the Royal Aero Club 2006-2008.

He was appointed to the Board of Europe Air Sports in 2003 and became its Treasurer. In 2007 he took up a brief to develop the capabilities of EAS in lobbying, negotiation and external representation, particularly in the European political sphere.

He has been a member of several important working groups in the UK and Europe, including the CAA's GA Strategic and Regulatory Reviews in 2005-06 and the EASA's Working Group on regulation for non-complex aircraft in 2006-08.

In 2007, he was awarded the BGA Gold Medal, the FAI Tissandier Diploma, and the Air League Jeffrey Quill Memorial Medal.

David qualified as a Chartered Accountant and has worked at a senior level for a variety of private and public sector organisations, including Finance Director of the Meteorological Office.

David and his wife Gilly live in Gloucestershire. The have three grown-up children and three grandchildren. He continues to glide with the Cotswold Club.