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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Michael Keith b: 23 Jan 1934 r: 2 Oct 1988 d: 30 Aug 2022
CB – 31 Dec 1985, AFC – 1 Jan 1970, QCVSA – 10 Jun 1967, FRAeS - 1978.
Cdt Plt: 29 Oct 1952, Act Plt Off (P): 18 Mar 1953, Plt Off: 17 Feb 1954, Fg Off: 17 Feb 1955, Flt Lt: 17 Aug 1958, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1964, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1969, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1975, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1979, Act AVM: 29 Jan 1983, AVM: 1 Jul 1983.
29 Oct 1952: Cadet Pilot.
18 Mar 1953: Granted a Short Service Commission (4 + 4)
xx xxx 1953: Attended No 231 OCU.
xx xxx xxxx: Pilot, RAF Marham (Canberras)
9 Oct 1956: Commission extended to 6 year from 29 Oct 1952.
2 Apr 1957: Granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer (wef 1 Oct 1956)
xx xxx 1957: Pilot, No 32 Sqn (Canberras - Cyprus).
xx xx 1959: Attended QFI Course, Central Flying School
xx xxx 1960 QFI, No 2 FTS, RAF Syerston
4 Sep 1961: ADC to Commandant, RAF College.
xx xxx 1964: Attended No 22 Course, Empire Tests Pilots School.
xx xxx 1964: Test Pilot, 'A' Sqn, A. & A.E.E.
xx xxx 1967: Seconded to Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Dunsfold.
xx xxx 1969: Attended Staff College, Toronto.
3 Aug 1970: Air Staff, Directorate of Operational Requirements (1).
20 Nov 1972: Officer Commanding, ‘A’ Squadron, A & AEE, RAF Boscombe Down.
xx Sep 1974: Attended Senior Officer’s War Course, RN War College.
xx xxx 1975: Attended Helicopter Course, No 2 FTS, RAF Shawbury.
xx Jul 1975: Superintendent of Test Flying and Training, A. & A.E.E.
16 Sep 1978: Director of Systems and Weapons Requirements (DOR2).
xx xxx 1982: Attended Royal College of Defence Studies.
29 Jan 1983: AOC Training Units.
21 Jan 1984: Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operational Requirements) (Air).
xx xxx 1985: Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Air Systems).
5 Jan 1987: Senior Directing Staff, Royal College of Defence Studies.
Joining the RAF in 1952, he qualified as a pilot in 1954. He was awarded a Queen's Commendation for his work as a test pilot in 1967, following he was loaned to Hawker Siddeley at Dunsfold, where he was involved in the early testing of the P1127, the forerunner of the Harrier. In 1969 he was selected to fly a Harrier from London to New York in the Daily Mail Trans-Atlantic Air Race to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first Atlantic crossing by John Alcock and Arthur Brown, but an acident shortly before the race saw him having to withdraw.
Retiring at his own request, by which time he had flown 66 different types of aircraft, amassing almost 7,000 hours, he joined Thomson-CSF (UK) Ltd as a Director until 1994. He became Vice President of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1992.
This page was last updated on 27/12/22©
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