BBGA celebrates Charles Henry’s services with Michael Wheatley Award
BBGA Chair presenting the Michael Wheatley Award to Charles Henry.
British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) announced Charles Henry FRAeS, FCMI, MCIM as the 2026 recipient of its Michael Wheatley Award for Outstanding Services to Aviation.
“Charles has tirelessly supported commercial GA through his work with Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), General Aviation Awareness Council (GAAC) and BBGA, as long-standing board member and former treasurer,” said Marc Bailey, chief executive officer at BBGA.
“He is exceptionally well connected and has been able to provide links both politically in government, along with strong connections at the CAA. Charles has been a strong advocate of developing the one voice approach for industry and has encouraged associations to work together.”
The award was announced at the BBGA Annual Conference held last week in London.
Charles has owned and managed several general aviation business operations and flight training centres. He is a strong advocate for the sector, lending his expertise to BBGA on all matters including pilot training and latterly small airfields, quickly earning the ear of regulators and decision makers.
He also served as chair of the GAAC for over 25 years leading national efforts to protect and support the UK’s network of general aviation airfields.
In the mid-2000’s, he served as chairman at Cabair, then one of the UK’s largest commercial pilot training groups. In 2010, he moved to non-executive director following an ownership change. In 2008, he was appointed director of the British Light Aviation Centre Limited.
BBGA is the UK’s national trade body representing business and general aviation. The association created Michael Wheatley for his role in the support advisory services to the UK Police and ambulance authorities and leading financial institutions.
He died in 2006 and BBGA created the award in his name.
Recent previous recipients include Marwan Khalek, Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, Tom Perry, Tim Scorer, Penny Stephens, Phil Lammiman, Brian Humphries, Wally Epton, Andrew Walters and Marc Bailey.
