Controller Aircraft (CA), originally Controller of Aircraft, is a senior (3 star) British Ministry of Defence 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 a Royal Air Force officer, several civil servants have held the post in the 20th century. The incumbent is a member of the Air Force Board.

History

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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

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The following officers have held the post:

References

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  1. ^ "No. 40037". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 December 1953. p. 6655.
  2. ^ Barrass, M. B. "Sir Claude Pelly". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation.
  3. ^ "Society Worthies: Sir George Gardner". Flight. 89 (2966): 71. 13 January 1966.
  4. ^ Barrass, M. B. "Sir Christopher Hartley". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation.
  5. ^ "No. 45997". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 August 1970. p. 7011.
  6. ^ Barrass, M. B. "Sir Peter Fletcher". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation.
  7. ^ "No. 45997". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1973. p. 7011.
  8. ^ "No. 46734". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 November 1975. p. 14213.
  9. ^ "Perry, Sir David (Howard)", Who's Who (online ed., Oxford University Press, 2021). Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  10. ^ "No. 49237". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 January 1983. p. 759.
  11. ^ "No. 50405". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 January 1986. p. 929.
  12. ^ "Battle of Britain Service". The Independent. 20 September 1992.
  13. ^ "Trustees". Vulcan to the Sky Trust. Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  14. ^ "Appointments". The Independent. 20 August 1993.
  15. ^ Whitaker's Almanack (1998)
  16. ^ "Air Marshal Barry Thornton CB RAF". RAF Personnel and Training Command. Archived from the original on 11 July 2006 – via The National Archives.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  17. ^ "Profile: Air Marshal Stephen Dalton". BBC News. 17 October 2008.
  18. ^ "Air Rank Appointments List". Royal Air Force. March 2006.
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