Education
Born in Whangarei, New Zealand, Hayr was educated at Auckland Grammar School. He attended the Royal College of Defence Studies, after which he took up the post of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) in 1980.
Born in Whangarei, New Zealand, Hayr was educated at Auckland Grammar School. He attended the Royal College of Defence Studies, after which he took up the post of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) in 1980.
Early Life and Flying He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and was sent to the United Kingdom to attend the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, graduating in 1957. He was Officer Commanding Number, 228 Operational Conversion Unit at Royal Air Force Coningsby during the introduction of the F4 Phantom and subsequent training of Number. 6 and Number. 54 Squadrons.
He was then appointed Officer Commanding Number.
1 Squadron in 1970. Hayr Station Commander at Royal Air Force Binbrook in Lincolnshire in 1974. During this period he was responsible for much of the planning of the Royal Air Force"s part in the re-capture of the Falkland Islands.
Then in 1982 he was made Air Officer Commanding Number. 11 Group. Hayr became Commander, British Forces Cyprus and Administrator of the Sovereign Base Areas in 1985.
Returning to Britain he was Deputy Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Strike Command from 1988 until being appointed Chief of the Defence Staff (Commitments) at the Ministry of Defence in 1989, which in 1990 involved him leading the preparation for Operation Granby.
On retirement he returned to New Zealand and took up the Chairmanship of the New Zealand Aviation Heritage Trust Board, but continued to split his time between the United Kingdom and New Zealand in order to continue his love for flying by performing displays in various vintage aircraft. lieutenant was in such an aircraft, a De Havilland Vampire, that he was killed during the 2001 Biggin Hill air display. In 1996, the Inspectorate of Flight Safety moved into new purpose-built accommodation at Royal Air Force Bentley Priory and the facility"s new lecture theatre was named "The Hayr Theatre" in honour of Sir Kenneth who was the first Inspector in 1976 (prior to that date the post had been that of Director).
Following the closure of Bentley Priory his picture now hangs in the DARS Course Members Tea bar at Royal Air Force Northolt in memory of the Lecture theatre at Royal Air Force Bentley Priory.