A Look Back at the Academy’s 216th Session in Toulouse

On Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25, 2026, members of the Air and Space Academy gathered in Toulouse for their 216th meeting.

The meeting began with a tour of the Departmental Archives, which house significant collections specializing in aeronautics, including the Academy’s archives as well as those of André Turcat, its founder and the Concorde’s first test pilot.

This visit gave the academy members the opportunity to learn about the processes involved in collecting, cataloging, preserving, and showcasing these documents, which chronicle the history of aeronautics.

Through the many items on display, members were able to appreciate the full richness of this documentary heritage and the importance of preserving it and passing it on to researchers, historians, and future generations.

On Friday morning, the Academy members gathered for a private session. This time for work and discussion provided an opportunity to address ongoing activities, upcoming projects, and the Academy’s broad strategic direction. In particular, this session allowed Jacques Rocca to deliver his acceptance speech before the members of the Academy.

Over the course of these two days, the Academy reaffirmed its commitment to preserving aviation history, while continuing its mission to foster reflection, share knowledge, and shed light on the sector’s future challenges.

The Academy extends its warmest thanks to the staff of the Departmental Archives for their hospitality, their willingness to assist, and the quality of their presentations, as well as to all the members who participated in this 216th session.