APPENDIX H TO HISTORICAL RECORD
1 AIR DIVISION HQ
FLIGHT SAFETY
General
The business of Flight Safety and Accident Prevention hit some highs and lows during the year 1965. Eight CF-104s, one CF-104D and one T33 were written off due to a number of cause factors, the majority of which involved the J79 engine or engine accessories. Quick and positive action was necessary in order to ensure satisfactory J79 engine operation and an overhaul programme was introduced which unfortunately curtailed the number of flying hours available. However, since the introduction of this programme, CF-104 attrition rate had been zero.
Early in the year the AOC requested SOFS to set up a Flight Safety Programme which would look into all areas of CF-104 maintenance and flying operations in an effort to dig out and identify the potential accident source prior to the accident occuring. To date this programme is considered to have proved itself and will be expanded in 1966. It is significant to note that requests are being received from Air Division units for copies of the check lists used by the Flight Safety Team.
Liquid oxygen quality control has been particularly successful during the year. F/L Thacker (FS/3) sought and succeeded in setting up a highly successful LOX quality control programme. Further steps are necessary and are being taken, to ensure a 100% guarantee that the liquid oxygen utilized in CF-104s is not contaminated. The RCAF in Europe is one of the few NATO Air Forces that have not encountered serious LOX difficulties and this is due, in large measure, to the Air Division LOX quality control programme.
There were enormous quantities of temporary duty during the year. Conservatively, the accidents alone accounted for some 25 weeks. Numerous other TD obligations to Air Division units, NATO Flight Safety Meetings, Standardization meetings, etc., consumed a considerable amount of time. These are necessary liaison duties and no reduction in the future is expected.
The following is a brief summary of the movements of the Flight Safety Staff during the year:
Transfers
7 Jun 65 | S/L Joy, SOFS, to ADC |
8 Jun 65 | S/L Firth, AirDiv TacEval to SOFS position |
May 65 | Cpl Morrison, SOFS/ClkAdm toTrenton |
May 65 | LAC Audet from Falconbridge to SOFS/ClkAdm |
Temporary Duty (5 days and over, other than Boards of Inquiry)
9 - 13 Feb 65 | S/L Joy | The Hague - NATO Flight Safety Meeting |
23-27 Mar 65 | S/L Joy, F/L Thacker | 4 Wing Flight Safety Survey |
11 - 14 May 65 | S/L Joy, F/L Thacker | 3 Wing Flight Safety Survey |
16 - 20 Jun 65 | F/L Collison | Paris - NATO Flight Safety Meeting |
3 - 7 Aug 65 | S/L Firth, F/L Thacker | 1 Wing Safety Survey |
27 Sep - 1 Oct 65 | S/L Firth | Munich, German - NATO Flight Safety Meeting |
16 - 19 Nov 65 | S/L Firth, F/L Thacker | Deci Flight Safety Survey |
13 - 17 Dec 65 | S/L Firth | London - Military Agency for Standardization |