SEFA is a direct descendant of a long tradition of state involvement in helping to light aviation. By 1936, the Popular Front creates the ""sections d’aviation populaire"" (SAP), in order to democratize the flight training for young people and then to train more crew for the French military aviation. In 1946, the ""service de l’aviation légère et sportive"" (SALS) is created, which purpose is essentially to provide available aircraft and instructors for flying clubs.