 ARMY
AIR CORPS
ARMY HISTORIC AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CHARTER
INTRODUCTION
1. The Army Historic Aircraft Flight (HAF) was formed in December 1977
and was initially maintained on a temporary authority. It was formally
established by the Army Board in August 1980 . That authority was further
examined, expanded upon and confirmed by the Executive Committee of the
Army Board in March 1990.
1. Historic military exhibitions and displays help the Armed Forces
to fulfil a unique role. Together with other heritage activities and establishments,
such as military bands, ceremonial duties and military museums, they provide
a special link between the Services and the public, keeping the Armed
Forces, their history and traditions in the public eye. The benefits to
positive publicity, recruiting, esprit de corps and to national heritage,
identity and pride go beyond the tangible. As such they are difficult
to justify in commercial terms, but they are nevertheless essential links
to the past and an inspiration for the future.
1. Each of the three Services has established historic aircraft flights
representing their own unique heritage. In that respect the Army HAF is
an authorised and established flight.
1. The Army flying heritage has its origins before the First World War.
The Museum of Army Flying has a comprehensive range of exhibits recording
that long and continuing history. The Army HAF is a living extension of
that history
AIM
1. The aim of the HAF is to maintain out-of-service Army fixed wing aircraft
and helicopters in flying condition for publicity, posterity, the promotion
of esprit de corps and for recruiting purposes.
GENERAL
1. In pursuit of the aim the HAF is permitted to carry out flying and
static displays at military and public venues in accordance with relevant
Service regulations.
1. The HAF is authorised to maintain, in flying condition, one example
of each Army aircraft, which has been taken out of service, for as long
as is practicable. Maintenance is to be provided by Service support related
to an allocated annual allowance of 50 hours for each aircraft on the
authorised inventory of the HAF2 , including leased, loand or gifted aircraft.
2. The HAF aircraft are to be held on the complement of the School of
Army Aviation. The aircraft held are listed at Annex A.
3. HAF aircrew are to be drawn from selected Service volunteers. They
are to be qualified and current in accordance with relevant Service regulations
. Service personnel crewing HAF aircraft are deemed to be on duty. If
civilian personnel are requested to crew HAF aircraft they must be MOD
employees or contractors with terms of employment or contract which specifically
include the flying of HAF aircraft.
4. If aircraft other than UK military types are authorised for use by
the HAF there is a legal requirement to comply with relevant national
airworthiness rules.
5. The total flying hours for each HAF aircraft should not normally
exceed 50 hours per year.
6. Attendance at displays is normally limited to venues within 100nm
of the SAAvn establishment. Attendance at displays beyond that distance
may be authorised by the AAC Display Committee or by Comdt SAAvn out of
committee.
7. HAF aircraft are Service aircraft and are authorised for the issue
of fuels and lubricants from Service sources within an annual allocation
of 50 flying hours for each aircraft. Rules regarding landing fees for
Service aircraft are also applicable to the HAF.
8. The Release to Service (RTS) for each HAF aircraft type is to be
authorised by DAAvn, or by a nominated person with delegated power to
give such an authorisation. The CA Release (qhich will be superseded by
the Military Aircraft release (MAR) once issued) and the Statement of
Operating Intent and Usag (SOIU) will form the basis of the RTS.
DELEGATED AIRWORTHINESS AUTHORITY
9. The Secretary of State for Defence has made the following delegations
of authority for ensuring the airworthiness of UK military aircraft operated
by the HAF:
a. To DAAvn, through the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) the authority
for ensuring that the operation of UK military HAF aircraft by authorised
aircrew complies with the limitations and flight envelopes defined within
RTS (or equivalent documents) for the aircraft types.
b. To DLO (ES(Air)), to the Helicopter Islander Combined Integrated
Project Team Leader (HICIPTL), the authority for ensuring that work carried
out on the design, construction and maintenance of UK military aircraft
in the Army HAF is performed to a satisfactory standard and that it complies
with the relevant policies and procedures.
c. HICIPTL is deemed to be the Engineering Authority (EA) for HAF aircraft
to provide the policies, procedures and maintenance schedules which will
govern any work carried out on the design, construction and maintenance
of HAF military registered aircraft, in accordance with Service standards.
This includes the continued airworthiness of HAF military registered aircraft
by controlling the design, construction and maintenance work in accordance
with the approved policies, procedures and schedules underlined by the
relevant Service standards.
COMPOSITION OF THE HAF
10. General. The HAF is to be made up, as far as is practicable, of one
example of each out-of-service Army aircraft.
11. Current Complement of HAF Aircraft. The current complement of the
HAF is shown at Annex A.
12. Acquisition of relevant Aircraft in the future. When it is forecast
that a service aircraft type is to be withdrawn from service a request
is to be made for an example of that aircraft type to be allocated, in
flying condition, to the HAF. The application is to be made by Headquarters
Director Army Aviation (HQ DAAvn) through the appropriate MOD department.
13. Disposal of HAF Aircraft . When the maintenance of a HAF aircraft
in flying condition ceases to be practicable, it is to be offered for
disposal by HQ DAAvn through the appropriate MOD department. Preferential
consideration is to be made for gifting the aircraft to the Museum of
Army Flying (MAF) or for allocation to a Service establishment as a Gate
Guardian (GG).
14. Leased, Loaned or Gifted Aircraft. Aircraft of particular significance
to Army flying may be acquired by the HAF. The normal method will be through
formal leasing of an aircraft by the MOD on behalf of SAAvn for the HAF.
Where such aircraft are operated on the military register, they will be
subject to military flying and maintenance regulations. In the case of
civil registration, aircraft are to be operated according to the rules
and regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
CHAIN OF COMMAND
15. Chain of Command.
a. DAAvn is responsible for the overall sponsorship of the HAF.
b. Comdt SAAvn is responsible for management, maintenance and resourcing
of the HAF through the Management Committee and through the responsibilities
of others, defined in “Duties and Responsibilities” below.
22. The HAF Management Committee. The HAF Management Committee is to
determine policy and to oversee the resourcing and management of the HAF.
a. The HAF Management Committee is to be made up as follows:
DAAvn (Chairman)
Comdt SAAvn (Vice Chairman)
HICIPTL (or a representative)
CFI
OC HAF
HQ DAAvn representatives (normally SO1 Ac Engr, SO1 G4 and CW AW 2)
Secretary (appointed by DAAvn)
b. The Chairman may also invite advisors to the Committee. In normal
circumstances invited attendance would be as follows:
The maintenance contractor’s representative
Treasurer (appointed by Comdt SAAvn)
c. The following may also be invited to attend if the agenda points are
relevant:
OC 70 Ac Wksp REME
OC (Middle Wallop Detachment) 132 Avn Sup Sqn RLC
d. The normal frequency for Committee meetings is half yearly, usually
in Apr and Oct. Additional meetings may be convened by the Chairman or
Vice Chairman.
d. The HAF Fund Manager and is to act as the Treasurer and will be nominated
by Comdt SAAvn.
23. The HAF Project Safety Working Group.
a. The HAF Project Safety Working Group (PSWG) is chaired by the HICIPTL
(or an authorised representative) and meets half-yearly (normally in May
and Nov) or as directed. Through the Working Group (WG) the HICIPTL monitors
maintenance and airworthiness of the HAF military registered aircraft.
b. The PSWG is normally made up as follows:
HICIPTL ES(Air) SSG ASI 3 ES(Air) AD AIM Boscombe Down Handling Sqn QinetiQ
(F) Aero Structures CFI (and/or a representative such as OC HAF) OC 70
Ac Wksp REME (or a representative) HQ DAAvn (CW2 AW 2 and/or SO1 Ac Engr)
AIEFSO (if required)
c. A representative of the civilian maintenance contractor is also to
be invited to attend each meeting. HICIPTL may also invite relevant advisers
to attend the PSWG meetings.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
24. Commandant School of Army Aviation:
a. The HAF is part of the establishment of SAAvn. The aircraft are held
on its complement. Normal accounting is through the Miscellaneous Stores
Account (MSA).
b. Comdt SAAvn is Vice Chairman of the HAF Management Committee and
is responsible to DAAvn for the management of the HAF, including maintenance
and resourcing.
c. Comdt SAAvn is responsible for the selection and appointment of the
Officer Commanding (OC) the HAF and HAF aircrew.
25. Chief Flying Instructor (CFI). The CFI is responsible to Comdt SAAvn
for:
a. The day to day management of the HAF.
b. Advice on the selection of HAF aircrew.
c. Training of HAF aircrew.
d. HAF display operations.
26. OC HAF
a. OC HAF is responsible to the CFI for:
(1) Maintenance of flying standards within the HAF.
(2) Development of safe flying displays.
(3) The co-ordination and administration of the HAF on displays.
(4) Display programming, in consultation with the officer appointed by
DAAvn to coordinate AAC displays.
(5) The submission of an annual report on the year’s display activities
and a forecast of HAF activity in the coming year.
b. In consultation with the Maintenance Contractor and, if necessary,
OC 70 Ac Wksp REME, co-ordination of the day to day maintenance support
to the HAF through the civilian maintenance contract staff.
c. The user point of contact for matters affecting spares, maintenance
and airworthiness.
d. Publicity and Corporate Communication.
27. Headquarters Director Army Aviation (HQ DAAvn).
a. An officer within HQ DAAvn is to be appointed as a general HAF focal
point. That focal point appointee is to:
(1) Act as Secretary to the HAF Management Committee.
(2) Be the focal point for the acquisition and disposal of aircraft.
b. An officer within DAAvn (normally the SO1 Ac Engr) will be the focal
point for general engineering activity.
c. An officer within DAAvn (appointed by SO1 AW) will be the focal point
for Airworthiness activity.
28. HICIPTL.
The HICIPTL is an invited member and advisor of the HAF Management Committee.
The HICIPTL is responsible for the structural and regulatory airworthiness
of HAF aircraft and is to ensure that maintenance work is mandated to
relevant airworthiness standards. The ‘Delegated Airworthiness Authority’
is explained elsewhere in this document.
29. Officer Commanding 70 Aircraft Workshop REME. With the permission
of the Comd JHC, OC 70 Ac Wksp REME is to:
a. Appoint a suitably qualified officer as the Aircraft Engineer to
exercise engineering control over the maintenance of service historic
aircraft carried out under civilian contract.
b. Provide technical support to OC 132 Avn Sup Sqn RLC for the inspection
and classification of HAF spares.
c. Provide technical support to the Engineering Authority, HICIPTL.
30. Officer Commanding 132 Aviation Supply Squadron Royal Logistic Corps.
With the permission of Comd JHC , OC 132 Avn Sup Sqn RLC will assist and
advise the Maintenance Contractor on the storage, control, procurement
and supply of spares for the HAF.
31. Civilian Contractor. In accordance with contractual obligations
the civilian aircraft maintenance contractor for SAAvn is responsible
for:
a. The maintenance and servicing of HAF aircraft in accordance with
relevant schedules.
b. Maintenance of documentation and records in accordance with relevant
regulations.
c. Servicing of leased aircraft in accordance with Aircraft Maintenance
Schedules detailed by the Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) on a case-by-case
basis. The Contracts Monitoring Officer for Middle Wallop is to be contacted
in advance of any requirement. Authorisation for the use of leased aircraft
is to be confirmed by the HAF Management Committee.
d. Technical support for displays.
e. The demand, storage, control and maintenance of spares and relevant
materiel.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT (SERVICE AIRCRAFT)
32. Tools and equipment for the service aircraft are to be held by 70
Ac Wksp REME, scaled against an authorised supplement for accounting purposes,
and issued on loan to the contractor. DLO (ES(Air)) RSWG representative
is to prepare the necessary scales.
SPARES (SERVICE AIRCRAFT)
33. The HQ DAAvn representative is responsible for the early notification
to HICIPTL and RWSG of an aircraft type being phased out of operational
service. In response RWSG will estimate the spares requirement for historic
aircraft, based on a usage of 50 hours per aircraft per year for 25 years,
then request the relevant MOD organisation to obtain financial authority
for the spares to be issued. Once financial authority has been given,
OC 132 Avn Sup Sqn RLC will arrange for the spares to be stored.
34. RWSG is responsible for assisting the HAF Management Committee and
the Maintenance Contractor in the regular review of spares holdings. Lists
of spares recommended for disposal are to be prepared for consideration
by the HAF Management Committee. Disposal activity is to be conducted
through the appropriate MOD department.
35. The normal Service priority for HAF spares is Priority 09. In unusual
cases a higher priority may be agreed between the contractor and 132 Avn
Sup Sqn RLC. If necessary advice may be sought from RWSG, HQ DAAvn or
HICIPTL (as appropriate).
36. Other aircraft held as Gate Guardians (GG) and Ground Instructional
Aircraft (GIA) may also be viewed as a source of spares. Removal of components
from such aircraft may be authorised by Comdt SAAvn in his role as Vice
Chairman of the HAF Management Committee. However, care must be exercised
and serviceable items removed are, as far as possible, to be replaced
in order to maintain the integrity of the donor aircraft. In all such
cases, HIC IPT is to be consulted for guidance on the propriety requirements
prior to items being fitted to HAF aircraft.
PUBLICATIONS (SERVICE AIRCRAFT)
37. Air Publication (AP) pack-ups for each aircraft type held are to be
held by HIC IPT, the Maintenance Contractor (through 70 Ac Wksp REME)
and RWSG. The same arrangement is to apply to AP100J, AP100K and Topic
2(A). For future aircraft joining the Flight, RWSG will arrange for four
complete sets of the necessary APs to be compiled and will then pass them
to 70 Ac Wksp REME, the Maintenance Contractor and the Museum of Army
Flying.
38. Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) Directives. CAA directives involving
HAF aircraft are to be issued as follows:
a. Any directive requiring immediate action involving aircraft with
the HAF, is to be notified to HICIPTL by fax at no cost.
b. CAA General Aviation Safety Information Leaflets (GASILs) published
monthly listing aircraft incidents and FAA Airworthiness Alerts received
during the previous month are to be forwarded direct to the HIC IPT at
no cost.
c. Amendments to the CAA publication covering Airworthiness Directives
for aircraft constructed in foreign countries other than the USA (held
by RWSG) are to be forwarded to the HIC IPT for an annual charge met by
the HAF.
FINANCE
39. Public Funds:
a. Charges are to be levied for each display and negotiated with the display
organisers. Monies received are to be forwarded to the Treasurer for credit
to the SAAvn Public Fund through the Fund Manager.
b. Comdt SAAvn may authorise purchase of spares and related items from
Public Funds against a set limit, which is reviewed annually.
THE ARMY HISTORIC AIRCRAFT FLIGHT COMPANY LIMITED
40. The HAF Trust exists to provide Non-Public grants for the provision
of goods and services to the HAF where Public support or funding cannot
be provided. The Trust is a registered charity and will seek to gain financial
support through donations and grants. The Trust has no executive relevance
to the management of the Flight. The point of contact for trust matters
is within HQ DAAvn.
Annexes:
A. The Army Historic Aircraft Flight (HAF) Complement.
THE ARMY HISTORIC AIRCRAFT FLIGHT (HAF) COMPLEMENT
1. The HAF complement is part of the SAAvn establishment.
2. The aircraft complement of the HAF as at 1 Jan 03 was as follows:
Skeeter AOP Mk 12 XL 814
Sioux AH Mk 1 XT 131
Auster AOP Mk 9 XR 244
Alouette AH Mk 1 XR 379
Beaver AL Mk 1 XP 820
Scout AH 1 XT 626
Chipmunk T10 WD 325
3. The HAF is permitted to maintain one example of out-of-service Army
aircraft on its complement. The acquisition or disposal of aircraft for
the HAF is to be processed through HQ DAAvn.
4. If any of the aircraft examples held by the HAF cease to be operational,
action may be taken to acquire an appropriate replacement.
SKEETERS AND THE CHAMBERLAIN TRUST
5. Skeeter AOP Mk 12 XL 814 has been declared unserviceable and in Jul
03 was withdrawn from the HAF Team for further investigation, an estimate
of requirement and direction for future work. The prognosis is that XL
814 will be unserviceable for several years.
6. Mrs Chamberlain has provided a Skeeter on lease from The Chamberlain
Trust to appear with the HAF. Two Skeeters will be made available, G-APOI
and G-SARO, but only one Skeeter will be leased and appear at any one
time. The leased Skeeter will be maintained under the existing contract.
It will not carry out aerobatic displays nor will it fly in formation
with the other HAF aircraft. the leased Skeeter will be covered by appropriate
MOD insurance.
7. The use of the leased Skeeter for displays will be the subject of
separate instructions on a case by case basis. Normally the aircraft will
be limited to local sorties in the Middle Wallop area.
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