(1) In these Regulations, except where the context otherwise requires—
(a) “accident” includes any unexpected or fortuitous event by which the safety of an aircraft or any person is threatened;
(b) “the Act” means the Civil Aviation Act, 1949, and includes any order or regulation made or having effect as if made under that Act;
(c) “aircraft” includes all balloons (whether captive or free), gliders, airships and flying machines;
(d) “appropriate authority” has the meaning assigned to that expression by regulation 4;
(e) “the Minister” means the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation;
(f) “owner” in relation to an aircraft which is registered, means the registered owner;
(g) “substantial damage” includes any damage which necessitates the replacement or extensive repair of any major component;
(h) references to the Chief Inspector of Accidents are references to the person for the time being appointed by the Minister to be the Chief Inspector of Accidents for the purposes of any Regulations made by the Minister under section 10 of the Civil Aviation Act, 1949, and references to an Inspector of Accidents are references to any person for the time being appointed by the Minister as an Inspector for the purposes of any such Regulations;
(i) references to the United Kingdom include references to the territorial waters adjacent thereto;
(j) references to a civil aircraft include references to any civil aircraft belonging to or exclusively employed in the service of Her Majesty;
(k) references to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended by or under any subsequent enactment.
(2) An aircraft shall be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as being a military aircraft at any time if, but only if—
(a) it was at that time an aircraft belonging to any of Her Majesty's naval, military or air forces, or
(b) not being such an aircraft as last aforesaid it was at that time an aircraft belonging to any of the naval, military, or air forces of any country, or
(c) the Admiralty, a Secretary of State or the Minister of Supply certify that by reason of circumstances affecting the aircraft the aircraft ought to be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as being at that time a military aircraft.
(3) The Interpretation Act, 1889 (a) 52 & 53 Vict. c. 63.a), shall apply for the interpretation of these Regulations as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.