Service Technique de l'Aéronautique

The Service technique de l'aéronautique (STAé) was a French state body responsible for coordinating technical aspects of aviation in France.

The lack of technical coordination lead to disagreements between the views and desires of command and the capabilities of manufacturers, resulting in development delays and technological dead ends.

At the instigation of the Deputy Secretary of State for Aeronautics René Besnard and Minister of War General Gallieni, the Section technique de l'aéronautique was created on 21 February 1916, to coordinate all aspects of the design of new aircraft, led by Émile Dorand former head of Laboratoire d'aéronautique de Chalais-Meudon, ( the contemporary French equivalent of the British Royal Aircraft Factory).

On 6 April 1918, a ministerial decision officially made the STAé responsible for aircraft, engines, armament, flight test and research.

Until 1939–1940, the STAé standardised equipment and products for civil and military aviation under the specific regulations of the Ministry of Air, developing and approving standards in consultation with industry and their implementation.