JTO,
Thanks for the response. If you have special access to inside information of the concerns of the Secretary of State for Defence, I will of course yield to that. But in my career, I tried to follow the well worn rule of 'follow the last order'. And those orders, as far as the SDH issue go, are pretty clear and less than a year old. Just for clarity, the relevant MAA reg reads as follows:
'Regulation 1020(2) - Each Service COS shall be an SDH by virtue of position,
and shall personally appoint by name ODHs and DDHs within their AoRs'.
The acceptable means of compliance is also clear - 'SDHs should ensure that the ODHs and DDHs that they appoint are SQEP (see RA1020(3)). '
The MAA preamble to this lot also helpfully points out that: 'The key DH level is the Operational DH (ODH), by virtue of the unique combination of: their competencies, training and experience; “their relevant knowledge of operational requirements; their immediate and daily access to the views and expertise of Front-line air and engineering crews; and the most direct interest in ensuring the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft
So, my conclusion is that COSs are the SDH 'by virtue of position', and the SQEP issue becomes relevant at ODH and DDH level. Seems pretty clear, and I, for one, don't think that Timo Anderson just 'gaffed' this one off. Perhaps he did, or perhaps the Sec of State really is going to get this bit changed after less than a year. Why?
I have to gently raise a couple more issues. First, and importantly, what exactly do you mean by an 'aviator' or 'aviation qualified' when you talk about an SDH? Pilot? Navigator? Observer? 'Air-minded'? (I love that one) Or how, since we are talking about safety management here, and oversight of a complex and essentially technical area of activity, an Engineer? Nothing I read in the RA says it can't be, except that an SDH has to be a service COS.
Of course, getting the SofS to insist on an 'aviator' as SDH would rather 'situate the appreciation', wouldn't it? It's highly unlikely that the RN or the Army would have an aviator as their COS. And if CAS became SDH for all military 'air', well, the logic would no doubt flow that he would then have to have command responsibility for it. And ownership.
Let's just be clear on this. The RN and the Army have experienced people who meet the requirements set out by the independent regulator, and who, most importantly, have a direct interest in ensuring the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft. They've been doing this aviation stuff for a few years. They know what they are doing. Just like the RAF in fact. Just one difference - they aren't going around trying to convince politicians that the other two services somehow aren't capable of operating aircraft safely.
As someone who did this aircraft safety stuff for a living for around 30 years, but in a dark blue suit, I find it just a bit wearing. So, I strongly suspect, would my many highly professional and extremely capable friends in the RAF.
Best regards as ever to those doing something useful,
Engines