Dame Deidre celebrates 25 years of the Aviation Club

Controversially appointed to succeed Sir Roy McNulty as Chair of the CAA in 2009, dubbed by the Daily Telegraph “Queen of Quangos”, Dame Deidre Hutton won over a sceptical audience at the 25th anniversary Aviation Club lunch last week.  In closing she made it clear that the CAA fully backed the idea of a new runway for London and warned of the opposition which she said “had to be charmed”.

In the traditional ‘question time period’ she said that she had read the complete judgement concerning the civil use of aircraft at Royal Air Force Northolt.  Brize Norton and other RAF bases were not mentioned. 

Her speech showed that in the five years since her selection she had acquired more than a basic knowledge of the aviation business.  A very adroit civil servant. 

Safety was a very important part of the CAA’s work, and whilst not actually mentioning the Air France and AirAsia crashes she made it very clear that in the UK, “with a safety record that consumers take for granted, constant vigilance is required.”

She spoke of airspace: “If we are to meet future demand safely and efficiently, a significant investment in the current system is required”.

Flight delay compensation was highlighted. “CAA research shows most consumers are pragmatic and will accept a fair solution”. www.caa.co.uk

A TRIBUTE TO THE 25 YEARS BY RICHARD BIRTCHNELL TOASTMASTER

So as we celebrate our 25 years
We start our lunch with asparagus spears
We’ll end with a toast and we’ll shout three cheers
And salute the club and its grateful peers


The main course is lamb, some might say mutton
Having been roasted many hours in the oven
After dessert, a stimulated discussion
From our speaker today, Dame Deirdre Hutton

This Grace should be heard as a chance to pray
For safety in flight, Scheduled or GA
Leading the world is our own CAA
We’re ready to depart, so it’s “chocs away!”

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