SAFETY WAS NO ACCIDENT
History of the UK Civil Aviation Flying Unit CAFU 1944 -1996
by
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For several weeks in 1944 delegates of 52 nations met in Chicago and considered the problem of post-war international civil aviation. The most important result of the Conference included provision for an organisation to foster and encourage international civil aviation. The permanent body, subsequently charged with the administration of the principles of the Convention, became known as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The United Kingdom had still not decided on the best way forward, and there were many who did not want to see the Air Ministry (AM) given responsibility for civil aviation. Viscount Swinton, in charge of civil aviation at the Air Ministry, attended Commonwealth Civil Aviation discussions on Post War Empire routes, held in Montreal, 22nd to 27 October. This was in preparation for attending a conference in Chicago to be held between 1st November and 7th December. It wasn’t until late October that it was announced, in Parliament, that Viscount Swinton would be the new Minister of Civil Aviation (MCA) for the United Kingdom. There was much criticism in the House of Commons at the little available time for him to prepare for the Chicago Conference which was only a few weeks away. It was noticed that the Government had taken such a high view of the importance of post-war civil aviation they had appointed a Minister of Cabinet rank to control it. His appointment did create a stir in Parliament, Viscount Rothermere welcomed the appointment of a Minister for Civil Aviation, but said, “… it was obvious that he was going to be nothing but a planning Minister. So far we had had nobody whatever who had paid any attention to planning anything in the direction of civil aviation.” Perhaps due to disquiet in Westminster about the fate, or rather start-up, of civil aviation in the U.K., the Air Ministry (AM), in June of 1944 set up a small fleet of aircraft based at Croydon under the supervision of an RAF Officer, Squadron Leader A.D.L. (Dan) Carroll (later OBE). Derek Curruthers, a Navigator who joined the Unit in 1947, says his understanding was that S/L Dan Carroll had, at one time, been the Commanding Officer (CO) of an Advanced Flying Unit of the RAF. Thus it was, during this activity in 1944, what would later become the Civil Aviation Flying Unit (CAFU) was first spawned when Squadron Leader Carroll was seconded from the Royal Air Force. The fleet at this time was first called the Civil Operations Fleet (COF) by the AM and was inaugurated with the objective of providing facilities for: Operational trials etc.; Refresher flying by qualified pilots among the Operational, Control and Signals staff; Radio development work and monitoring of ground aids; Instructional and communication flying; Practical flying tests for “B” pilot’s Licence. Much of this information was found in a Ministry1944/45 Report by Tony Doyle, which continued to say that the availability of aircraft gave little choice in the matter of types, but to meet these requirements as far as possible the fleet was equipped with seven aircraft of the most suitable types obtainable. One Anson Mark XI, for operational trials, radio development and VIP communication work. Two Proctors, for operational trials, general communication work and refresher flying. Two Austers for short communication work, refresher and instructional flying. Two Tiger Moths for “B” licence flying tests and refresher flying. The above shows seven aircraft but in 1944 the Air Ministry had two Autocrat Austers, one Percival Proctor and one Avro Anson placed on the civil register between August and October 1944. The numbers were not made up to seven until a further Proctor and the two Tiger Moths were registered by August 1945. All the aircraft were based at Croydon, with maintenance conducted at the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) overhaul base. The Austers were three-seat, single-engine, high-wing aircraft, the Proctor another single, but low-wing monoplane with four seats and the Anson a six to ten seater, twin-engine, low wing monoplane with retractable undercarriage. All four were trail draggers. The Anson had been in use by the RAF in various roles from Coastal Command to Communication and Ferrying duties and it was intended that this Anson XI, an early ex RAF type, would be later exchanged for the later Avro XIX, when the latter became available. A further five Avro XIXs were ordered by the Air Ministry to meet additional commitments in the radio development and monitoring programme and an expected increase in demand for communication work, consequent upon the expanding duties of the Ministry. In the middle of October, the Government announced a White Paper on Civil Aviation as well as the setting up of a new Ministry of Civil Aviation. In response to an invitation from the United States Government, representatives of 52 nations met at Chicago from November 1ST to December 7th, 1944, to "make arrangements for the immediate establishment of provisional world air routes and services", and "to set up an interim council to collect, record and study data concerning international aviation and to make recommendations for its improvement." The Conference was also invited to "discuss the principles and methods to be followed in the adoption of a new aviation convention." Having accepted the invitation, extended to them by the Government of the United States of America, to be represented at an International Civil Aviation Conference, the United Kingdom sent the following delegates: LORD SWINTON, Minister of Civil Aviation; Chairman of the Delegation SIR ARTHUR STREET, Permanent Under Secretary, Air Ministry SIR GEORGE LONDON, Government of Newfoundland W. P. HILDRED, Director of Civil Aviation, Air Ministry J. H. MAGOWAN, Minister, British Embassy, Washington W. C. G. CRIBBETT, Assistant Under Secretary, Air Ministry G. G. FITZMAURICE, Legal Adviser, Foreign Office A. J. WALSH, Newfoundland
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About the Book
This book will appeal to aviation engineers, air traffic controllers and all pilots who have taken a U.K. commercial pilots license. It explains how the U.K. Civil Aviation Flying Unit (CAFU) was formed during WWII and the work for which it was intended. How Flight Inspection methods were evolved to meet increasing challenges of improving navigational and landing aids and to ensure suitable flying standards were set for the issue of newly created licence requirements. It details the aircraft provided, their role; the seemingly ever changing Ministries from MCA to the CAA . It plots the beginning and the end of CAFU, asking how and why this occurred; tracks the changes of Ministries, policies, airfields, aircraft, inadequate housing, staff levels and pay, of aircrew and engineers who gave themselves to the safety of aviation, ensuring that to-days commercial aircraft are able to land in zero visibility conditions safely. It is a post-war history of the United Kingdoms effort, to be at the forefront of international aviation safety that is enjoyed by all who fly today. Whether you are a passenger or pilot, CAFU was a small part of this process and one to be proud of.