§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft have landed or taken off from RAF Northolt for each of the past five years.
§ Mr. HanleyLandings and take-offs from RAF Northolt for each of the past five years were as follows:
Year Military Civilian Total 1989 9,500 5,600 15,100 1990 9,300 5,400 14,700 1991 9,100 4,700 13,800 1992 9,608 4,893 14,501 1993 8,310 4,650 12,960
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the length of the runway at RAF Northolt airport;
(2) what scope there would be to extend the existing runway at RAF Northolt within the airport's existing curtilage.
§ Mr. HanleyThe length of runway at RAF Northolt is 1,684m, there is no scope for its extension within the existing curtilege.
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§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which is the largest military aircraft to have landed, or taken off, at RAF Northolt since 1964.
§ Mr. HanleyThe largest military aircraft to have landed, or taken off at RAF Northolt since 1964 is a United States Air Force C141 Starlifter.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which is the largest civil aircraft to have landed, or taken off, at RAF Northolt since 1964.
§ Mr. HanleyThe largest civil aircraft to have landed or taken off at RAF Northolt since 1964 was a European Airbus A320 on a demonstration flight; the aircraft was both lightly fuelled and loaded.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which is the largest civil aircraft that could be landed at RAF Northolt in normal operating conditions.
§ Mr. HanleyUnder current regulations specified in the United Kingdom aeronautical information publication—AIP—RAF Northolt can accept an approved quiet turbo jet powered civilian aircraft with a maximum capacity of 20 seats, subject to specified load, runway and pavement classifications. The largest aircraft on the civil register to operate routinely from RAF Northolt is the BAe 146.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total annual cost of running the airport at RAF Northolt.
§ Mr. HanleyOf the total running costs for RAF Northolt, £11,960,000 per annum is spent on operating the airfield: this includes the costs of personnel; air traffic control; fire, crash and rescue services, heating and lighting.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total area of the airport at RAF Northolt.
§ Mr. HanleyThe total area of the RAF Northolt base is 448.4 acres—181.5 hectares.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the distance between RAF Northolt and the nearest Heathrow airport terminal building.
§ Mr. HanleyThe distance between RAF Northolt and the nearest Heathrow terminal building is 8.7 miles—14 km—by road, or 6.2 miles—10 km—in a straight line.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the primary function of the airport at RAF Northolt.
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§ Mr. HanleyThe primary function of RAF Northolt is to meet the air transport needs within Europe of members of the royal family, and senior members of Her Majesty's Government and the armed forces.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what review there has been into the requirement of the airport at RAF Northolt for military purposes(a) before the publication of "Options for Change" and (b) since the publication of "Options for Change".
§ Mr. HanleyThe requirement for RAF Northolt has frequently been examined and confirmed in the normal course of business, both prior to and after "Options for Change". This process has involved a number of studies and is continuing with the current front line first initiative.