The Australian Council for Aeronautics, a research advisory committee to the Federal Government, was inaugurated on 5 August 1941 by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon R. G. Menzies KC, in a letter addressed to the Ministers for Aircraft Production, Air, Civil Aviation and Munitions and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney. [Letter S.398/1/5 of 4 August 1941]
This followed a three point plan outlined to the Government in 1937 to establish: an aeronautical research advisory council; an aeronautical research laboratory, and a chair of aeronautics at a university.
The Council was composed of members drawn from Government departments and other organisations associated with Aeronautics in Australia. Under the Council, three committees were dealing with Aerodynamics, Structures and Materials, and Engines. There were also three panels concerned with Cylinders, Bearings, Timber, and Handbooks.
The functions of the Council in general were the promotion, direction and co-ordination of aeronautical research in Australia. More particularly they were:
* the development of the aircraft industry;
* initiation and co-ordination of aeronautical research;
* investigation of other aeronautical problems;
* collection and dissemination of aeronautical information;
* guidance on aeronautical education.
Under war conditions the Council became more than just an advisory committee to Government. After the war, on the recommendation of the Minister for Post-war reconstruction, the Minister in charge of CSIR, the Acting Minister for Air and Civil Aviation, and the Minister for Munitions, the Federal Cabinet on 26 May 1947 decided to abolish the Council and authorise the setting up of a consultative committee to replace it. [Cabinet Agendum No.1339] The Aeronautical Research Consultative Committee was established shortly afterwards.
The Council had published its research reports as a series, Report ACA-1 to ACA-43, and this series of research reports was continued by the Consultative Committee.
In February 1937, the CSIR stressed the urgency of establishing the manufacture of aircraft and aero-engines and of setting up an aeronautical research laboratory.
In December 1937, Mr H. E. Wimperis, formerly of the British Air Ministry, recommended that: an aeronautical research laboratory be established; that a chair of aeronautics be created at one of the universities; and that an aeronautics research committee be set up to advise the government.
In 1939, CSIR Division of Aeronautics was established in Melbourne.
In August 1940, Professor A. V. Stephens, became the Chair of Aeronautics at the University of Sydney.
The establishment of the Australian Council for Aeronautics in August 1941, was the final step to complete the three recommendations from 1937.