Military Civil Air Safety Day at Halton’s Airfield

RAF Halton hosted a Military Civil Air Safety Day at the airfield this week with over 80 civilian pilots attending with 32 visiting aircraft. The General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo) have provided admin support and there were presentations from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), HQ Air Safety, RAF Benson and National Air Transport Safety to name but a few. Whilst the 32 incoming aircraft was quite a few movements to have in a 90 minute period at the airfield, the total number of movements was a little under half that of a sunny day at RAF Halton airfield.

The mission was to hold a joint safety forum for the benefit of local military and civil (mostly General Aviation) pilots/operators in accordance with Ministry of Defence and CAA agreement.

Wing Commander Jim Lawson, Air Safety Centre at RAF High Wycombe, said: “The RAF Safety Centre was delighted to participate in the engagement between Halton Safety Staff and the General Aviation community. We are hopeful that this event will inspire other RAF airfields to conduct similar events in conjunction with the GASCo. Mid-air collision risk and airspace infringements are both very high on the agenda for all RAF Aviation Duty Holders and any activity that helps to mitigate these threats is particularly commendable.

Squadron Leader Gary Coleman, OC Operations at RAF Halton, added: “The Military Civil Air Safety Day is joint initiative to share safety lessons and find out about the latest safety initiatives from both Military and Civilian aviation sectors. Some 86 civilian pilots visited with 32 aircraft flying in from across the country – the furthest flying in from just north of Liverpool. My Ops Squadron team managed these 32 arrivals safely over a period of just 60 minutes. With fantastic support from the General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo) the day seems to have been a success and the attendees seemed grateful for the chance to fly in and share this mutually beneficial safety day. I am particularly grateful for the support on the day from the HQ Air Command Safety Centre, the Civil Aviation Authority, GASCo, RAF Benson Air Safety and the Pilot Aware Team; without which the day would not have been as successful as it was.”