The idea for the creation of the ACA originated with the then Secretary of State for War, R.B.Haldane (later First Viscount Haldane), who was supported in his efforts by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom H. H. Asquith.

Asquith announced the committee's appointment in a statement to the House of Commons on 5 May 1909, in which he stated:"With a view to securing that the highest scientific talent shall he brought to hear on the problems which will have to be solved in the course of the work of the two departments, the National Physical Laboratory has been requested to organize at its establishment at Teddington a special department for continuous investigation, experimental and otherwise, of questions which must from time to time be solved to obtain adequate guidance in construction.

"For the superintendence of the investigations at the National Physical Laboratory and general advice on the scientific problems arising in connection with the work of the Admiralty and War Office in aerial construction and navigation, I have appointed a special Committee...." Haldane was criticised for what some considered the undue preponderance of academics on the committee (7 of the original 10 members were Fellows of the premier British learned society for science, the Royal Society, founded in 1660).

To these criticisms Asquith replied in the House of Commons:"It is no part of the general duty of the Advisory Committee For Aeronautics either to construct or invent.

During the deteriorating international situation of the 1930s (see Events preceding World War II in Europe), the committee was given fresh impetus with the appointment of Sir Henry Tizard.