§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours have so far been logged for each of the Tucano aircraft at Boscombe Down.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere are no Tucano aircraft at Boscombe Down.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence by how many months the Shorts Tucano programme is delayed in relation to the original contract programme.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonShorts advise that the programme is currently delayed by about eight months. They expect to recover this delay later in the delivery programme.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence when RAF basic flying training will commence with the Shorts Tucano.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonBasic flying training is expected to start next year.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the full ground fatigue test for the Shorts Tucano.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe current Tucano fatigue test is progressing satisfactorily and has so far achieved about one quarter of the required test programme.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Shorts Tucano will receive its release for service from Boscombe Down;
(2) if he will make a statement concerning progress with the Tucano aircraft at Boscombe Down;
(3) how many Short Tucano aircraft are currently at ETPS Boscombe Down.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonShorts advise that the first two Tucano aircraft produced under their contract are planned to be delivered to Boscombe Down this month. A release to service is expected later in the year. There are at present no plans for the Empire Test Pilots' School to be equipped with Tucano aircraft.