Supporting the Future of Flight

Our Obsession With Flight

Global Aerospace was formed from the merger of two leading specialist aerospace insurance pools with roots going back to the 1920s, making us an industry pioneer and the most experienced provider in our sector.

The Early Years

Following World War I, low-powered engines and rudimentary navigation made aviation insurance a high-risk business, albeit one with huge growth potential.

British Aviation Insurance Group (BAIG) was formed in the U.K. in 1924 to support the fledgling air transport industry, followed a few years later by Associated Aviation Underwriters (AAU) in the U.S.

Charles Lindbergh pilots the Spirit of St. Louis

Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to complete a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, taking off from Newfoundland and landing in Ireland.

Igor Sikorsky lifts the VS-300, the first helicopter

Chuck Yeager is the first person to break the sound barrier

First telephone conversation is relayed by satellite between the US and Europe.

Timeline

Scroll for details on Global’s path to becoming the preeminent provider of aviation insurance.

1924

British Aviation Insurance Group (BAIG) is founded in Great Britain.

1927

Charles Lindbergh pilots the Spirit of St. Louis on the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight from Long Island to Paris.

1929

Associated Aviation Underwriters (AAU) is founded by large U.S. insurers Chubb & Son and The Continental Corporation.

1930

Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow set a transcontinental speed record from LA to NY; 14 hours, 45 minutes.

1931

BAIG is formed into a new company, the British Aviation Insurance Company. Captain Lamplugh led as its chief underwriter and principal surveyor.

1932

Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to complete a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, taking off from Newfoundland and landing in Ireland.

1937

The Hindenburg, the famous German dirigible, is destroyed by fire while landing at Lakehurst, NJ. 36 people lost their lives.

1939

Igor Sikorsky lifts the VS-300, the first helicopter, to a height of 3 feet for 10 seconds.

1942

Robert M. Stanley flied first U.S. jet plane, Bell XP-59 Airacomet, at Muroc. Calif.

1947

Chuck Yeager is the first person to break the sound barrier, in an airplane he calls the Glamorous Glennis after his first wife.

1957

The Russians launch Sputnik I, the first artificial earth satellite.

1958

Pioneer 1: NASA’s first launch.

1959

Pioneer 4: First successful U.S. flyby of the Moon.

1960

Neil Armstrong with the North America X-15, a rocket-powered research aircraft bridged the gap between manned flight in the atmosphere and space flight.

1962

Friendship 7, Astronaut John Glenn Jr. becomes the first American to orbit the Earth.

1962

First telephone conversation is relayed by satellite between the US and Europe.

1964

Jerrie Mock is the first woman to pilot a plane around the world successfully.

1968

Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet revolutionizes mass air transport.

1969

Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon.

1971

The supersonic Concorde makes its first transatlantic trek.

1979

Bryan Allen, who helped develop first successful human-powered aircraft with Paul MacCready in 1977, pedals chain-driven Gossamer Albatross across English Channel.

1980

Solar Challenger: First solar powered plane flew.

1986

Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, is the first craft to fly around the world without refueling.

1990

BAIC, Aviation & General, the London Aviation Insurance Group, the aviation offices of General Accident, the Commercial Union and the Eagle Star combine to form the British Aviation Insurance Group.

1999

Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones lift off from the Swiss alpine village of Chateau d’Oex in the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon. After a 46,759-mile balloon flight which lasted 19 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes, the balloon achieves a non-stop round the world balloon flight.

2001

Global Aerospace is formed by the merger of BAIG and AAU.

2003

The world celebrates 100 years of flight.

Aviation’s Rapid Post-War Expansion

Following WWII, civil aviation expanded dramatically over the course of several decades, including with the development of the airline industry.

Throughout, BAIC and AAU played a central role as leading underwriters, delivering the technological innovations and increased limits of cover demanded by the market.

1958: Pioneer 1: NASA’s first launch.

1960: Neil Armstrong with the North America X-15.

Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones lift off from the Swiss alpine village of Chateau d’Oex in the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon. After a 46,759-mile balloon flight which lasted 19 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes, the balloon achieves a non-stop round the world balloon flight. (Credit: Solar Impulse)

Global Aerospace Is Born

As aviation became increasingly globalized, the industry needed a fresh approach with a broader and more international perspective. To address that need, BAIG and AAU merged in 2001 to form Global Aerospace.

Today, Global has offices in several countries and is the aviation insurance provider of choice for discerning aircraft owners and operators worldwide.

Celebrating 100 Years: A century in and our passion for aviation is as strong as ever.

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