[4] The Secretariat General for Civil and Commercial Aviation (SGACC) was formed on 12 September 1946 by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.

The first secretary general of the newly-formed organisation was Max Hymans (1900-1961), who had been named to the post nine months previously in December 1945.

The SGACC then formed the Light and Sport Aviation Office (SALS) to cover flying clubs and instructors.

In 1976, following the removal of the post of secretary general across the French Civil Service, the SGAC was renamed the DGAC.

In 1993 the headquarters of the organisation moved from 93 Boulevard du Montparnasse, that had been its home since its foundation in 1946, to its present site on Rue Henry-Farman.