A Short History

A history of the Alpha Omega Club begins with the story of two men of different background and personality who were joined together by IFALPA activities and shared pride in professionalism of airline pilots. These two men were Captain Lawrence (Lawrie) Arthur and Captain Zdzislaw Ludwig (Louis) Zeyfert - Literally the A-Z of the piloting profession. Interested in all aspects of aviation their paths crossed within IFALPA were they participated in all activities including the "fun" social events of early conferences when time was found to report on the unlikely activities of a phantom Committee "X" which devised such entertainment as demonstrations of the mysteries of the internal combustion engine, sumo wrestling and "streaking.

A L P H A
Captain Lawrence (Lawrie) Arthur , DFC
Lawrie was born of Irish parents in County Durham England on 15th October 1919 and his first flights were with an "Aerial Circus" when he was seven and 13 years old. At the age of 14 he started work with a manufacturer of turbine engines and later took the entrance examination to join the Royal Air Force at Halton School of Technical Training as a "boy entrant" aged 151/2. On completion of a three year technical course he was a fully qualified fitter, an air-gunner on the last biplane bomber of the RAF and gaining pilot experience under supervision at the flight controls of Whitley bombers. This varied experience continued on later aircraft and Lawrie was in charge of the wartime servicing of 12 aircraft at the age of 22 years. He married Jane in 1941 and lived "off base" in a civilian house, but after only 24 hours of honeymoon leave received a War Office order to share his home with Polish, French and Czech-Slovakian airmen who were awaiting transfer to other units.

In 1942 Lawrie started pilot training, flying Gypsy Moth trainer aircraft in Scotland brfore gaining his wings at Miami, Oklahoma, USA where he was commissioned as Pilot Officer and returned to England for advanced training. He flew 30 combat missions, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and designed the crest of his squadron – No. 576. In 1945 Lawrie gained civil licenses and while still serving in the RAF was seconded to BOAC to fly "airliner" conversions of the Lancaster bomber on the England to Australian route thus gaining his first direct interest in international civil aviation. He attended the first post-war Anglo American Aeronautical Conference, where he met Juan Trippe of Pan American Airways and Edward Warner first President of ICAO. In 1947 Lawrie resigned from the RAF, took civil employment with BOAC, joined BALPA and became involved in the technical work of the newly-formed IFALPA.

As an airline pilot instructor Lawrie trained pilots of many countries and was responsible for airline preparations to use pilot operated HERT in place of radio telegraphy. Active in both BALPA and IFALPA he was chief IFALPA delegate at more then ten major ICAO meetings over a period of 15 years. He held responsible positions in BALPA, was a Principal Officer of IFALPA, represented pilots at judicial and disciplinary hearings in several countries and when he retired from British Airways in 1973 joined ICAO as field expert in the Asia Region. Lawrie was later prominent in Technical Assistance programmes in the MID and AFI Regions and was well known in civil aviation circles in more than forty countries. One of his last assignment in ICAO was to represent it at the 1984 IFALPA conference in Israel, thereby neatly completing a circular career in civil aviation during which he accumulated 21,910 hours and made many friends.

Lawrie received awards from BALPA, IFALPA, ICAO and the Royal Meteorological Society and a warm tribute from ICAO on his retirement from that organization. A letter from the Chief of Personnel used the expression "outstanding" and comments on his twice extended service as "splendid pioneer work".
Lawrie unusually full life reached its end in August 1992.

O M E G A
Captain Zdizislaw Ludwig (Louis) Zeyfert
Louis was born in Paris of Polish parents, his father flew as pilot during World War I and was Polish Air Attache in Paris at the time of Louis' birth. An international education taught Louis to speak the English, French and Spanish languages in addition to the Polish language. He also understood Russian and Dutch. In 1927 Louis had his first flight sitting on the knees of his father in a Breguet 15 airplane. After pilot training in the Polish Air Force in France in WW2 Louis flew in the UK's RAF Costal Command as Flight Lieutenant with his father as navigator in the crew – a unique crew arrangement. Louis was decorated by the RAF, French and Polish Air Forces.

After leaving the RAF in 1948 Louis flew in British general aviation, became a British citizen and in 1949 married Sheila a Scottish lady. From 1951 to when he lost license on medical grounds in 1977, Louis flew for KLM accumulating 17,000 flying hours. He had a distinguish career in the Dutch Pilots Association as Council Chairman, Vice President and President and was made a Member of Merit in 1967. in 1977 he was created Knight of Orange Nassau, dying in 1979 after a long illness bravely borne.

Louis' representational work for IFALPA achieved good results in All Weather Operations, Unification of Units of Measurement and Airworthiness. He represented IFALPA on many occasions including the ICAO 8th Air Navigation Conference. He had a rare ability to work in any field and was superb communicator in all of them. At IFALPA conferences Louis could relied upon to take the heat out of debate by use of humor and he and Lawrie Arthur together gave a new style and importance to the Conferences' Credentials Committee – a task they shared for many years.

This remarkable Polish-born British subject who flew for KLM was the ultimate international airman, loved by all who met him for his humor, gallantry, intellect and wisdom. Many stories are told of Louis – when representing IFALPA at an ICAO Conference he used ALL the official languages of that organization in a single speech throwing the official interpreters into confusion. On another occasion he amused all when he protested about the use of the term "frangible poles" for approach lighting system stating that the correct term was "frangible posts". When flying in Europe's congested airspace he prefaced a request for start clearance with polite "Good Morning" to ATC. On being told that there was a two hours delay he equally politely stated "I wish to withdraw my Good Morning".

Louis' lasting monument lies in the Alpha-Omega Club he and Lawrie Arthur formed and in the hearts of all who met him – for he was a truly unforgettable companion and friend.

CLUB BEGINNING

At the Mexico City and Stockholm IFALPA Conferences in 1961 and 1962 delegates argued fiercely whether an IFALPA badge should be commissioned , but the idea came to nothing because all had different ideas about purpose and design. Following that non-event and without any formal status within IFALPA – a small group of respected pilots active in the phantom 'Committee X' reached a conclusion that those pilots who loyally and actively served the Federation between conferences should be honoured by their peers and be recognizable by wearing a special designed necktie.

Lawrie Arthur and Louis Zeyfert carried the idea further during dinners held in Stockholm and in England and in informal discussions with other persons at the Salisbury and Manila Conferences in 1963-'64. Lawrie was made responsible for designing a tie and having it produced in England; and the now familiar and unchanged design shows two horizontal bars denoting steadfastness and loyalty in Heraldic tradition, golden wings and the graticule of two hemispheres forming eyes, with spectacles added to denote wisdom, judgement and longevity – the whole representing a wise old pilot viewing the world. Deciding who should be honoured with ties was kept separate from any IFALPA process and was at the joint discretion of Alpha and Omega – Lawrie and Louis. At early conferences ties were presented during plenary sessions but the practice ended due to pressure on conference time.

Lawrie and Louis held a fourth dinner at Goodwood in England where first use was made of the term Alpha-Omega, for Arthur and Zeyfert respectively. As an extension of their original idea it was they who first suggested that IFALPA make awards to pilots who served the Federation well.

It was not until 1965 that the Federation honoured pilots in this way, with the first C N Sayen Award being presented to Captain Bill Masland of USA ALPA at the 20th Conference at Rio de Janeiro. At the Amsterdam Conference in 1969 Scrolls of Merit were introduced and Lawrie Arthur is the first name on the list. Louis Zetfert received a Scroll of Merit in 1970 and the C N Sayen Award in 1975.

In1981 members of the club adopted a practice of holding a private dinner during annual IFALPA conferences, and a very successful events have been held at Acapulco, Bali, Cairo, Dublin (twice), Helsinki, Hong Kong, London, Lisbon, Montreal (thrice), Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Vancouver and Washington. All members and spouses are invited to attend these Annual Reunion Dinners with spouses of deceased members receiving an especially warm welcome. Administrative assistance in making arrangements is provided by IFALPA and the member associations responsible for organizing that annual conference, but the club and it's activities are self financing and self-regulating and independent of the Federation.

In the 1970s following the death of Louis, and because of Lawrie's full-time commitments with ICAO, the administration of Alpha Omega Club passed to Richard Hill, Frank (Sam) Houston and Yonosuke Tsukamoto , but in 1985 a meeting of a small group of members was held at BAPA's offices when it was agreed to circulate a questionnaire to members of Alpha Omega seeking their views on the club's future.

As a result of the questionnaire it was determined that all persons awarded the C N Sayen Award or Scroll of Merit would be invited to join the Club. Exceptionally, other persons are invited to join the Club on being formally proposed and seconded by members and after it has been established that no members are opposed.

After the 1985 questionnaire Richard Hill and Laurie Taylor took up the task of Club administration and started a biannual newsletter which the Federation prints and distributes. Since 1989 Richard Hill has looked after administration of the Club's funds and responsibility for newsletters lay with Laurie Taylor until 1996 when Knut Anfindsen took on the administrative responsibilities , but this arrangement can be changed whenever members so decide.

Organization of annual reunion dinners is delegated to club members who live near the conference venue. The Club's administration has therefore changed over the years but the objective of remaining independent, promoting fellowship and honouring men who serve the profession of airline pilot – continue to be its motivation. Judging by the amount of correspondence received from members and the numbers attending annual reunions the Alpha Omega Club is likely to have a long life.

Lawrie Arthur and Louis Zeyfert may not have known what they were starting in the 1960s but they should be pleased with what now exists – the Alpha Omega Club fulfils an important role in the social life of IFALPA and is a lasting tribute to two fine men.

Laurie Taylor

Editorial Note
The information in this brief history of the Alpha Omega Club comes from IFALPA documents, correspondence with Lawrie Arthur, Lars Blomberg and Hank Vermeulen and from memory

Addendum 1
Alpha Omega – the Club with no rules, no constitution, no budget and no membership dues – does have, however, a loose structure to have come partly out of tradition, partly as a result of discussions and agreement. Membership is automatically given to all holders of the C. N. Sayen Award and the Scroll of Merit. In addition it has been agreed to accept others as members provided the person has been nominated and seconded – in writing – by other members, the nomination having been presented to all members of the Club, and minimum two thirds of those casting their ballot, approved the nomination. Further it has been agreed that past IFALPA Presidents be offered membership.

Since 1996 the undersigned has taken care of the task of being the Club's "communications coordinator", trying to keep and update "contact detail list" of all members and sending out an Alpha Omega Newsletter three times a year. The fact that most members have e-mail available makes this less strenuous than could have been the case.

Knut Enfindsen

Addendum 2
In 2004 Gary Reinke became the Club's coordinator, in charge of administration and communications. The undersigned agreed to help and was appointed A.O.T.K ('Alpha Omega Ties' Keeper').

Over the years a 'tradition' was developed re the Club's Annual Reunion Dinners: The incumbent IFALPA President and the President of the conference host Pilot Association, with their spouses, are formally invited to the Club's Reunion Dinners as guests of honor. The new awardees with their spouses are also invited and a kind of 'acceptance ritual' is performed ; whereby the awardee is presented to the gathering by the Club's coordinator or by the elder-member present, then the Club's tie is bestowed on him and he has to put it on immediately, completing the procedure by telling a humorous joke/story.
Lately most of Club's Reunion Dinners were organized ad-hoc during the IFALPA conferences at their venues.

At the 2006 A-O Dinner (IFALPA 61st Annual Conference, Istanbul, Turkey) a consensus was voiced to promote and upgrade the Alpha Omega Club within the IFALPA official web-site. Pending the approval of the Federation's Executive Board - an enhanced A-O Club chapter will be established including a logo, brief history, space for A-O Newsletter ( info & quarterly correspondence/communication) and the membership list [ this list will be restricted (by code/password) to members and other authorized persons/bodies]. Paul McCarthy, Stu Julian and myself agreed to 'push' this project.

Eventually, when this project will be completed and defined procedure(s) will be established between the Club's coordinator and Interpilot House - the Club's running affairs will be done via the Internet.

This concept will promote/dignify the A-O Club within IFALPA , make the communications more efficient and economical and improve the Club members awareness to current information.

As of February 2007 - 'The ALPHA OMEGA CLUB' Web Pages have been incorporated in the IFALPA official web site.

Eli Bahat