§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology (1) what estimate he has made of long-term sales prospects of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft;
(2) what are the estimated costs of the development of a vertical take-off and landing engine;
(3) what is his estimated cost of a vertical take-off and landing city centre facility in London;
(4) what he is doing to determine the social benefits and costs of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
§ Mr. CarmichaelCurrent studies aim at establishing as accurately as possible the sales prospects, financial costs, and social costs and benefits of a V.T.O.L. system. No estimates are yet available.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what research he is doing into nitrogen /oxygen compounds in relation to vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe National Gas Turbine Establishment is working on the general problem of reducing the toxic products of jet engines, and is considering what studies are required for lift engines.
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§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology (1) what study he has made of the use of vertical take-off and landing aircraft on domestic routes;
(2) what major studies on vertical takeoff and landing aircraft he has commissioned;
(3) what study he has made of maintenance costs in vertical take-off and landing aircraft;
(4) what study he has made of direct operating costs of vertical take-off and landing aircraft per seat mile compared to conventional aircraft;
(5) what study he has made of the range of vertical take-off and landing aircraft;
(6) what study he has made of vertical take-off and landing aircraft safety factors.
§ Mr. CarmichaelLast year at my right hon. Friends request Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd., and Westland Helicopters Ltd. undertook studies of V.T.O.L. vehicles capable of certain standards of performance. We are now examining these studies in detail, including the problems of safety; maintenance and direct operating costs; range; and use of these vehicles on domestic routes.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what discussions he has had with France and Germany on vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThere have been informal exchanges of views between officials.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what research has been done by the National Gas Turbine Research Unit at Pyestock on thick elliptical blades for vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe National Gas Turbine Establishment has studied the application of this form of rotor to full-scale aircraft; carried out aerodynamic and noise tests on models; and constructed both static and mobile ground rigs.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology on what basis he is evaluating the market for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, with reference to a Channel Tunnel and advanced passenger train services.
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§ Mr. CarmichaelOn the basis of an economic appraisal of the value of time saved by these and other transport modes.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology (1) what research he is sponsoring by Southampton University of travel by United Kingdom businessmen and possible vertical and short take-off and landing sites in the United Kingdom;
(2) what contract he has placed with Leeds University in relation to vertical and short take-off and landing services;
(3) what studies he is making on basic information about possible vertical takeoff and landing sites;
(4) what study he is making of operating pads for vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
§ Mr. CarmichaelSouthampton University has been asked to study the views of United Kingdom business travellers on the types of inter-city transport most convenient to their needs; and to assess the possibility of siting V.T.O.L. airports in major cities in this country. Messrs. Brian Colquhoun and Partners, a firm of consulting civil engineers, are examining the feasibility and problems of V.T.O.L. sites in greater depth. My right hon. Friend has asked Leeds University to investigate the factors that determine travellers' choice between rail and air services on five major United Kingdom inter-city routes.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology (1) what studies he is making into noise emitted from vertical lifting systems;
(2) what studies he is making into human reaction to aircraft traffic noise;
(3) what studies he is making into acceptable noise levels of vertical take-off and landing aircraft at different heights; and if he will give convenient examples of his conclusions.
§ Mr. CarmichaelA range of noise studies are included within my examination of the case for V.T.O.L. aircraft. No conclusions are yet available.