The International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians (IFFR) is a group of Rotarians dedicated to promoting Rotary and aviation as an opportunity for fellowship and service.

This fellowship operates in accordance with Rotary International policy, but is not an agency of, or controlled by Rotary International.

The Flying Rotarians (IFFR) originated in 1965 in Seattle, Washington, USA. The efforts of one man, the dedicated Rotarian, the late E. Edison Kennell, encompassed thousands of public-spirited citizens, Rotarians all, who have supported the precepts of Flying Rotarians and those of Rotary International.

Hundreds of events have been held over the years in nearly all of the sixty countries of the world in which Flying Rotarians reside. These are titled Fly-Ins or conventions and have consisted of programs presented to a member’s home Rotary club or other similar audiences.

Many IFFR members fly their own personal airplane in support of international activities. Members donate their time, funds and aircraft to supply the needy outlying areas with medical, dental, optical and surgical aid in the form of material, equipment, tools, machinery, medicines time-critical fluids and transplant organs and tissue.

With widespread geographical locations, the goal of Flying Rotarians helps to achieve the furtherance of the ideals and objectives of Rotary International throughout the world. International understanding has and continues to benefit through this Fellowship of Flying Rotarians.

The Dutch Section was founded in 1993 by Stan Jesmiatka from the Netherlands. On the Australian Flyaround he was encouraged by other IFFR Rotarians form a new Section, which incorporates Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg under the title of the Benelux Section. The inaugural meeting was held in Middelburg, Holland. Today, IFFR Benelux counts about 40 members.

Read more about the History of IFFR here.