Controller Aircraft

Controller Aircraft (CA) is a senior (3 Star) MoD appointment who is responsible for delivering an airworthy aircraft to the Services, whereupon the Service issues a Release to Service (RTS), releasing the aircraft into service. The difference between CA Release and RTS is normally one of Build Standard. Although usually held by an RAF officer, several civil servants have held the post in the 20th century. The incumbent is a member of the Air Force Board.

History

Prior to 1953, the equivalent responsibilities were held by Controller of Supplies (Air). In 1971 the post was moved from the Ministry of Technology to the Ministry of Defence's Procurement Executive.

Controllers

The following officers have held the post:

• 9 November 1953 Air Chief Marshal Sir John Baker^[1]
• 1956 Air Chief Marshal Sir Claude Pelly^[2]
• 1959 Sir George Gardner^[3]
• 1963 Mr Morien Morgan
• 1967 Air Marshal Sir Christopher Hartley^[4]
• 1 September 1970 Air Marshal Sir Peter Fletcher^[5][6]
• 1 June 1973 Air Chief Marshal Sir Neil Wheeler^[7]
• 8 November 1975 Air Chief Marshal Sir Douglas Lowe^[8]
• 1 January 1983 Air Chief Marshal Sir John Rogers^[9]
• 20 January 1986 Air Marshal Sir David Harcourt-Smith^[10]
• 1989 Sir Donald M Spiers^[11][12]
• 1994 Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin^[13]
• 1997 Air Marshal Sir Peter Norriss^[14]
• 2000 Air Vice-Marshal B M Thornton^[15]
• 2003 Air Vice-Marshal D N Williams
• April 2004 Air Vice-Marshal S G G Dalton^[16]
• 20 April 2006 Air Vice-Marshal S D Butler^[17]

References

1. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Sir John Baker
2. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Sir Claude Pelly
3. Flight International
4. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Sir Christopher Hartley
5. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 45997. p. 7011. 28 August 1970. Retrieved 2010-02-20.
6. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Sir Peter Fletcher
7. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Sir Neil Wheeler
8. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 46734. p. 14213. 10 November 1975. Retrieved 2010-02-20.
9. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 49237. p. 759. 17 January 1983. Retrieved 2010-02-20.
10. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 50405. p. 929. 20 January 1986. Retrieved 2010-02-20.
11. Battle of Britain Service
12. Vulcan to the Sky
13. Appointments The Independent
14. Whitaker's Almanack 1998
15. Air Marshal Barry Thornton CB RAF Ministry of Defence
16. BBC News
17. Ministry of Defence

External links

• Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Controller Aircraft