Originally Posted by
john_tullamarine
Lots of folks on PPRuNe are MRAeS or FRAeS. You get lots of useful contacts, presentations, etc. and, with the higher grades, there is the element of accreditation.
Yes, although formerly the element of accreditation was backed up by the RAeS having its own exam system for Associate Fellow (AFRAeS), it had gone by the time I was elected to that grade in 1972.
The harmonisation of grade nomenclature within the CEI resulted in Associate Fellow becoming Member (MRAeS) which had the same status but looked as if it were something you just paid a subscription for.
As said, it can be very useful and there are local Branches all over the world. As this is posted in the History section, I can say that the Library is a particularly useful resource if you are based in the London area, as you are.