Our Heritage

Formed initially in 1980, and in its current guise since March 1990, the Army Historic Aircraft Flight (AHAF) was allowed to maintain one example of each aircraft operated since the Army Air Corps (AAC) inception in 1957, in order to preserve the AAC’s aviation heritage.

The aircraft were initially supported partly by the Ministry of Defence, and partly by donations and income from air displays undertaken. Although the AHAF was administered by its own charitable company, MoD funding was withdrawn in 2013 and the Flight was then put into a state of ‘suspended animation’.

To ensure that the aircraft remain airworthy and available, four of the aircraft (Beaver,  Auster,  Sioux and Scout)  were transferred to the Civil Register, which helps to reduce both maintenance servicing times and costs.

The HAAF now operates as a Registered Charity (Number 1024043), governed by the Historic Army Aircraft Flight Trustee Limited. The Historic Army Aircraft Flight Trustee Ltd was incorporated on 1st May 2015 as a private company limited by guarantee without share capital. It has a company number of 09572211 and its Nature of Business (SIC) is registered as 91020 — Museums Activities.