C1Part I Articles of war
Navigation and flying offences
19 Loss or hazarding of ship or aircraft.
Every person subject to this Act who, either wilfully or by negligence—
a
causes or allows to be lost, stranded or hazarded any of Her Majesty’s ships or vessels; . . . F2
b
. . . F3
shall be liable, if he acts wilfully or with wilful neglect, to imprisonment . . . F4 or any less punishment authorised by this Act, and in any other case to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment so authorised.
20 Dangerous flying, etc.
Every person subject to this Act who is guilty of any act or neglect in flying, or in the use of any aircraft, or in relation to any aircraft or aircraft material, which causes or is likely to cause loss of life or bodily injury to any person shall be liable—
a
if he acts wilfully or with wilful neglect, to imprisonment . . . F5 or any less punishment authorised by this Act;
b
in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment authorised by this Act.
21 Low flying.
Every person subject to this Act who, being the pilot of one of Her Majesty’s aircraft, flies it at a height less than such height as may be provided by any regulations issued under the authority of F6the Defence Council, . . . F7, except—
a
while taking off or alighting; or
b
in such other circumstances as may be so provided,
shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment authorised by this Act.
F8Provided that where a pilot flies an aircraft in contravention of this section on the orders of some other person who is in command of the aircraft, that other person shall be treated for the purposes of this section as having been the pilot of, and flying, the aircraft at the material time.
22 Annoyance by flying.
Every person subject to this Act who, being the pilot of one of Her Majesty’s aircraft, flies it so as to cause, or to be likely to cause, unnecessary annoyance to any person shall be liable to dismissal from Her Majesty’s Service or any less punishment authorised by this Act.
F9Provided that where a pilot flies an aircraft in contravention of this section on the orders of some other person who is in command of the aircraft, that other person shall be treated for the purposes of this section as having been the pilot of, and flying, the aircraft at the material time.
Pt. I (ss. 1-44) applied (1.6.1996) by Armed Forces Act 1991 (c. 62), ss. 18(9)(c), 20(10)(c), 27(2); S.I. 1996/1173, art. 2