CAA Records · Stereo · Concept Suites 1983–1992All systems nominal
Heir Worthiness

CAA Records · Stereo

CUM GRAVITATE PROCEDITEEST. MCMLXXXIII

HeirWorthiness

All systems nominal. Proceed with gravitas.

Progressive rock in long form

Four concept suites. Each one built around a single airworthiness directive. Each one sixty minutes or more. Each one complied with in full.

Contents of this sleeve

  1. IForeword
  2. IIThe Company
  3. IIILogbook
  4. IVMovements
  5. VProgramme
  6. VICompliance
Type
Airworthiness Directive Prog Suite
In service
1983–1992
Operator
CAA Records
Open the sleeve

I

Foreword

The liner notes, as printed. The particulars, as established.

Heir Worthiness formed in London in 1983. The band combined the long-form ambition of British progressive rock with a sustained interest in airworthiness standards. Each record was a concept album of sixty minutes or more, built around a single airworthiness directive.

The band had one American member, rhythm guitarist "Dayton" Dave Kessler. He was asked to "please sound more British" in every press session from 1983 to 1992. He did not manage it. Critics have since identified his parts as the most important on every album. The rest of the band has accepted this.

“All systems nominal. Proceed with gravitas.”

— Band motto, sleeve of Airworthy (1984)
A five-piece band rehearsing among light aircraft in a hangar in Dayton, Ohio, 1983
Rehearsal, Dayton, Ohio, 1983. The sleeve gives the address as London.

II

The Company

Five players. Minimum crew: five. The sleeve credits are reproduced in the order printed.

  1. Rupert EllesmereFlute, lead vocal

    Alto flute, recitation

  2. Clemency HarrowKeyboards

    Church organ, tape-replay strings, harpsichord

  3. Dave “Dayton” KesslerRhythm guitar

    1983–1992

    The only American in the company. Asked to please sound more British in every press session, 1983–1992. He did not manage it.

  4. Giles TewkesburyBass guitar

    Bass pedals, twelve-string

  5. Ambrose PellDrums

    Tuned percussion, timpani

Minimum crew
Five
Lead instrument
Flute
Americans aboard
One
Interval
None within a directive
Five musicians posed formally in front of a painted heraldic backdrop, one in an American work jacket
Press session for Airworthy, 1984. Mr. Kessler was asked to sound more British. The photograph is silent on the matter.

III

Aircraft Maintenance Record

One page per record. Each entry gives the directive addressed, the method of compliance and the next action due. Running times are as stated on the sleeve where the sleeve states them.

Logbook of the recorded works

Aircraft Maintenance RecordPage 1 of 4

Airworthy

CAA Records · 1984

Year
1984
Running time
68 min
Directive
AD 83-24-06
Type
One-time

Description of work

68 minutes. Six movements.

Method of compliance

Inspection and rework, accomplished in six movements.

Next action due

None. One-time directive. Complied with.

I certify that the work specified above was performed in accordance with the current regulations and the sleeve, and the work is approved for return to service.

Heir WorthinessCertificate on file
Aircraft Maintenance RecordPage 2 of 4

The Heir Apparent

CAA Records · 1986

Year
1986
Running time
Not less than 60 min
Directive
AD 85-19-11
Type
Recurring

Description of work

A concept album about succession and altitude.

Method of compliance

Repetitive inspection of the line of succession. Intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service or 12 calendar months, whichever occurs first.

Next action due

Within 100 hours time in service or 12 calendar months of the last inspection.

I certify that the work specified above was performed in accordance with the current regulations and the sleeve, and the work is approved for return to service.

Heir WorthinessCertificate on file
Aircraft Maintenance RecordPage 3 of 4

Directive Suite

CAA Records · 1988

Year
1988
Running time
71 min
Directive
AD 87-08-02AD 87-14-09AD 88-01-05
Type
Recurring · One-time · Terminating

Description of work

Three airworthiness directives. One 71-minute suite.

Method of compliance

Three directives addressed in one continuous suite. The third constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections of the first.

Next action due

Repetitive inspections of AD 87-08-02 terminated.

I certify that the work specified above was performed in accordance with the current regulations and the sleeve, and the work is approved for return to service.

Heir WorthinessCertificate on file
Aircraft Maintenance RecordPage 4 of 4

Final Certification

CAA Records · 1992

Year
1992
Running time
Not less than 60 min
Directive
AD 91-26-03
Type
Final action

Description of work

The farewell album. All systems were nominal.

Method of compliance

All outstanding requirements closed. Records reviewed. Status confirmed.

Next action due

None. All systems were nominal.

I certify that the work specified above was performed in accordance with the current regulations and the sleeve, and the work is approved for return to service.

Heir WorthinessCertificate on file
An open aircraft maintenance logbook beside an opened gatefold record sleeve on a workbench
The logbook and the sleeve, side by side. The band kept both.

IV

Movements on File

Titles registered with the archive. Album placement is not confirmed for every title. Durations were not recorded. Lyrics are not on file.

Side One

  1. i.Airworthy (Overture)Words not on file
  2. ii.The Heir ApparentWords not on file
  3. iii.Directive in Three MovementsWords not on file
  4. iv.Dayton Speaks (Finally)Words not on file

Side Two

  1. v.NominalWords not on file
  2. vi.The Cravat and the AltimeterWords not on file
  3. vii.British (Mostly)Words not on file
  4. viii.Final CertificationWords not on file

V

Souvenir Programme

Eight engagements, 1988. The company opened in London and closed in Dayton, where it had already played once.

Heir Worthiness

The Directive Tour

1988

Patrons are asked to remain seated for the duration of the suite. There is no interval within a directive.

  1. Engagement ILondon, UK1988Opening night
  2. Engagement IIDayton, OH1988
  3. Engagement IIIPensacola, FL1988
  4. Engagement IVOshkosh, WI1988
  5. Engagement VWichita, KS1988
  6. Engagement VISeattle, WA1988
  7. Engagement VIIFort Worth, TX1988
  8. Engagement VIIIDayton, OH1988Closing night · Return engagement
A progressive rock band on a large stage, the flautist lit at the front, a crest on the backdrop
The Directive Tour, 1988. Seventy-one minutes. No interval.
A crowd on folding chairs on a summer airfield at dusk, rows of parked light aircraft behind a stage
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 1988. The audience brought chairs. Several brought logbooks.

Notices

Received from members of the public and entered into the record without amendment.

✦✦✦✦✦

I am an A&P mechanic and a progressive rock listener. I have played Directive Suite eleven times.

— K. Voss, A&P/IA, Dayton, OHEntered. No discrepancies noted.
✦✦✦✦✦

"Dayton Speaks (Finally)" arrives forty minutes into the album. It was worth the wait.

— R. Ashdown, Croydon, UKEntered. No discrepancies noted.
A rhythm guitarist under a single spotlight on a dark stage, the rest of the band in shadow
Dayton, Ohio, 1988. The return engagement. Mr. Kessler, lit.

VI

Compliance Record

The certificate below is issued to the listener. Display it at the cabin entrance, legible to passengers and crew.

Standard Certificate · Listener’s Copy

1EnsembleHeir Worthiness
2Place of formationLondon (as stated)
3CatalogueCAA Records, four works
4CategoryProgressive · Concept
5Authority and basisIssued on the strength of four concept suites, each found to conform to its directive and to be in condition for safe listening.
6Terms and conditionsUnless sooner surrendered, suspended or revoked, this certificate remains in effect as long as the listening is performed in full, in order and seated.

Garments, sleeves and printed matter are issued through the Sideband Label stores. Each item is inspected before release.

Proceed to the stores

Next inspection due: when the needle reaches the run-out groove.