§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the NATO recommended minimum flying times for(a) rotary pilots, (b) multi-transport pilots and (c) fast jet pilots; what percentage of RAF pilots in each of these categories met or exceeded NATO recommendations in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [107545]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 2 February 2000]: The NATO recommended minimum flying times are in the table:
Pilots Flying times (hours per year) Rotary Not defined Multi engine 240 Fast jet (readiness 1–3) 180 Fast jet (readiness 4) 160 Information relating to the percentage of RAF pilots who met or exceeded NATO recommended hours is not held in the format requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, the average hours per crew in the fast jet (not defined by readiness states) multi-engine and rotary categories for each of the last five years are shown in the table, indicating in broad terms that the NATO minimum figures have been comfortably exceeded in each year.
Aircraft category 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Rotary 345 389 382 354 319 Multi engine 361 448 462 479 451 Fast jet 239 236 235 238 211