The following timeline of British military aviation covers the military aviation activities of the British Armed Forces from its origins in the 19th century to the present day:
1863 - Henry Coxwell demonstrates tethered balloon ascents to British Army personnel at Aldershot1878 - Balloon experiments are conducted at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich1880 - a balloon section takes part in the Army's manoeuvres at Aldershot1882a balloon section takes part again in the Aldershot manoeuvresThe Balloon Equipment Store at Woolwich is moved to the School of Military Engineering at Chatham1882 to 1884 - A balloon factory, depot and training school are established at Chatham1884 - Three balloons, two officers and 15 other ranks take part in the Bechuanaland Expedition1885 Balloons are used during the Sudan expedition1890 The Balloon Section is established as an official unit of the Royal Engineersc. 1894 The balloon factory is moved to south Farnborough1899 to 1902 Balloons are used in the South African WarBalloons used to direct the fire of the British Artillery at MagersfonteinBalloons used to direct the fire of the British Artillery at the Battle of Lombard’s Kop1905 The balloon factory is moved to a better site1906 Samuel Franklin Cody is appointed the balloon school’s Chief Instructor in Kiting1907 The British Army airship, Nulli Secundus, is completed1908 The first British heavier-than-air military flight takes place when the British Army Aeroplane No. 1 flies1909 The War Office halts all work on aircraft at Farnborough on cost grounds1911 The S. E. 1 and the B.E. 1 are built at Farnborough under the pretext of repairing existing aircraft1 April The Balloon Section of the Royal Engineers becomes the Air Battalion191213 May - The Royal Flying Corps is established from the Air Battalion19141 July - The Royal Naval Air Service, having previously broken away from the Royal Flying Corps, is officially recognized13 August - The first RFC aircraft arrive in France27 August - The first RNAS aircraft arrive in Ostend19181 April - The Royal Air Force is established by merging the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service19241 April - The Royal Air Force establishes its Fleet Air Arm, consisting of RAF units normally embarked on aircraft carriers and fighting ships193714 May - The Fleet Air Arm is placed under Admiralty control1940November - The Battle of Taranto, the Fleet Air Arm launched the first all-aircraft naval attack in history194121 December - The British Army regains an aviation element as the Glider Pilot Regiment is formed.194224 February - The Glider Pilot Regiment is formally inaugurated as part of the Army Air Corps19995 October - Joint Helicopter Command is formed20001 April - Joint Force Harrier is formed