Correct, as far as it goes. By definition, an aircraft does not have to be ‘captained by a member of the ADF’ in order for the aircraft to be a ‘state aircraft’.
What about aircraft in Australia that:
- aren’t captained by a member of the ADF,
- aren’t owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, and
- do have a ‘VH’ painted on the tail?
You might say: well that’s the GA fleet, dummy.
In which case, I’d ask: what is the correct category for aircraft operated by a private company, e.g. at Tamworth, for the purposes of ADF flying training?
To emphasise the point: If a Blackhawk and an ARH are ‘state aircraft’, the outcome isn’t a ‘one’ or a ‘zero’. Why else does Australia have CAO 95.27 (dealing with S-70-A helicopters), CAO 95.28 (dealing with S-70B-2 helicopters) and CAO 95.33 (dealing with ARH)?
Last edited by Creampuff; 19th May 2012 at 12:46.