Originally Posted by
Chugalug2
In the meantime the RAF is once again out of kilter with its own Air Regulator, a position that seems to fit quite comfortably in some peoples minds but graphically illustrates the powerlessness of the MAA. A Regulator should regulate and have its Regulations fully complied with. Unless and until UK Military Air Regulation and Air Accident Investigation is made outwith and independent of the MOD and of each other, avoidable accidents and needless deaths will continue to happen.
Chugalug2 - I’d be grateful on some guidance. You seem convinced that the MAA have defined Cabin Crew as Aircrew. That prompted me to go to the MAA website, and check the RAs.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...y-publications
The RA defining Aircrew is relatively simple to find, it is RA 2100 series, that defines “Aircrew qualifications and competency”.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...and-competency
RA 2101 is the RA that defines what an Aircrew is, and says
Entitlement to Conduct Flying Duties
2101(1) To fly or operate ►Air Systems governed by the MRP,◄ Aircrew shall be qualified.
Entitlement to Conduct Flying Duties
1. Aviation Duty Holders (ADH) and Accountable Managers (Military Flying) (AM(MF)) should promulgate in orders the criteria for the award, or recognition of Aircrew qualifications.
2. UK Military Registered Air Systems. In order to fly or operate UK military registered Air Systems, Aircrew should be qualified in accordance with (iaw) at least one of the following criteria:
a. ►They are◄ in possession of, or ►have◄ previously been awarded, ►one of the following◄:
(1) The appropriate UK military flying badge►1◄;
(2) A UK military or AM(MF) approved Remotely Piloted Air System
(RPAS) pilot/operator qualification;
(3) A UK military or AM(MF) approved non-Pilot Aircrew qualification. b. ►They are◄ undergoing an ADH or AM(MF) approved training course
and the duties to be authorized form part of ►the◄ course of training; c. ►They are◄ part of a recognized foreign exchange programme
approved by single-Service chiefs;
d. ►They possess the◄ appropriate civil licence; ►◄
e. ►They are in possession of, or have previously been awarded, a foreign
military qualification that has been approved as equivalent by the ADH or AM(MF).◄
Thus, by the RA, the non-award of a Flying Badge for a role means that that individual is not Aircrew.
It goes on to say
Entitlement to Conduct Flying Duties
4. ►Definition of Aircrew can be found in MAA022.◄
5. A UK military flying badge ►◄ is awarded by a single-Service Approving
Officer following achievement of an appropriate standard on an approved training course ►iaw Queen’s Regulations3.◄
6. A UK military or AM(MF) approved RPAS pilot/operator or non-Pilot Aircrew qualification is awarded by a single-Service Approving Officer or AM(MF) following achievement of an appropriate standard on an approved training course.
7. Approved Training Course. For the purposes of this Regulation an approved training course is one that has been assured by an Independent Body that is suitably qualified and experienced, prior to overall approval by the appropriate ADH or AM(MF).
8. Flying Instruction. Where an approved training course leads to award of a flying badge ►◄, RPAS or non-Pilot Aircrew qualification, Aircrew must be given flying instruction by an appropriately Qualified Aircrew Instructor (Qualified AI), ►iaw RA 21254.◄
Certificate of Qualification on Type
2101(2) To fly or operate ►Air Systems governed by the MRP,◄ Aircrew shall be in possession of a valid Certificate of Qualification on Type (CQT) for that type.
Certificate of Qualification on Type
9. A CQT should only be awarded on completion of an approved training course by ►one of the following◄:
a. ►The appropriate◄ ADH;
b. ►The appropriate◄ AM(MF) or Flight Operations post-holder; ►◄
c. ►An appropriately◄ Qualified AI, empowered by orders.
10. A CQT should be documented in a formal record, such as an Aircrew logbook.
Thus, to cross check, MAA 02 (the master glossary) says
https://assets.publishing.service.go...02_Issue_8.pdf
Persons having duties concerned either with operating or the flying of Air Systems or with passengers or cargo when in flight.
Perhaps some mild confusion here - two different versions of what aircrew might mean, however, RA 2340 Supernumerary Crew and Passengers does help here
https://assets.publishing.service.go...40_Issue_6.pdf
Definitions Relevant to this RA
1. For the purpose of the authorization of flights on military registered Air Systems, the following definitions apply:
a. Aircrew. Persons authorized to conduct duties concerned with: operating or flying the Air System or; with the management of Passengers or cargo when in flight; and who are also qualified in accordance with (iaw)
RA 21011.
b. Supernumerary Crew. A Supernumerary Crewmember is an individual, military or civilian, who is employed on an Air System and authorized to carry out a specific duty (that does not require an Aircrew qualification) while in flight or ground taxiing. This specific duty is to have an active role in achieving the purpose of the authorized flight and may involve the operation of Air System equipment/systems or authorized Equipment Not Basic to the Air System (ENBAS)2 under the supervision of the Air System’s Aircrew.
It seems to me that having not met the definition of Aircrew IAW RA2101, that someone such as Cabin Crew (or Aeromedical personnel etc) sit firmly under the banner of “Supernumerary Crew”.
Even more helpfully, the MAA02 also defines Supernumerary Crew
Supernumerary Crew are not classed as passengers. A supernumerary crewmember is an individual, Military or civilian, who is temporarily attached to an air system crew for the purpose of carrying out a specific duty not involved with flying/operating the air system, as authorised by the appropriate aviation duty holder or accountable manager (military flying).
Given all that, unless you can point me to a part of the RAs I’ve missed, I’d suggest that
a - the Cabin Crew, whilst vitally important, are not Aircrew, and therefore not entitled to a Flying Badge.
b - that the RAF is acting entirely within the guidance of the MAA, and thus operating as you consistently demand.