CGB:
is this just going to be an Airworthiness Authority?
Only if we are very very lucky, CGB. Personally I won't be holding my breath based on the SoS's "Speech" which can be watched here in all its oratorial splendor:
BBC News - Military aviation body set up after fatal Nimrod crash
Trying to analyze what exactly is proposed is not made easier by the finger licking stumbling delivery with its idiosyncratic trailing off of emphasis and volume let alone placing emphasis within a phrase where you might not normally expect it. So what did he say? As usual more in ad-lib response to questions rather than in the prepared piece. Within that though is the curious explanation of what will make the independent Military Aviation Authority independent and of whom it will be independent. It will not it seems be independent of the SoS nor of the MOD which it will essentially be a part of. No, it will be independent of:
"Those who fly and maintain military aircraft".
Now given that this is the considered response to Mr Hadden-Cave QC's Nimrod Review, which as its name implies dealt principally with why XV230 crashed killing all 14 of its occupants, one might be forgiven for assuming the responsibility for that tragedy lay with "Those who fly and maintain military aircraft". However I seem to recall that he placed the blame fairly and squarely with the MOD's dysfunctional system of Airworthiness Enforcement which involves many very senior officers rather than those way down the food chain doing the flying and maintaining. So much for independence. The CAA is independent of all Civil Air Operators, this mongrel will not be independent but be a part of the Military Air Operator that Procures, Releases to Service and Supervises all UK Military Aircraft. Saying that it will mirror the CAA is rather like saying that Night Club Bouncers mirror the Police Service on account they both deal with drunks! If the MAA has any chance whatsoever in turning around the parlous state that the MOD has reduced UK Military Airworthiness to it will all be down to one man (or woman?) that commands it. That the position will be filled by a 3* is of some comfort. It would perhaps be of even more comfort if that person never subsequently gets made up to 4*!