HC Deb 20 April 1988 vol 131 cc500-1W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be(a) the range, (b) the poor-weather performance, (c) the station-keeping abilities, (d) the speed and (e) the accuracy level of the navigational equipment of the Wessex helicopters to be used by the air-sea rescue squadron at RAF Coltishall in place of Sea King helicopters.

Mr. Freeman

The Wessex search and rescue helicopters which will replace those Sea Kings presently at RAF Coltishall have a range of 120 nautical miles. They can operate in most weather conditions, by day and night but for station keeping reply on visual reference only. The maximum speed is 110 knots and they carry a sophisticated navigation system which is highly accurate for low-level flying. Each aircraft also has a fully trained SAR navigator.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the replacement of Sea King helicopters with Wessex helicopters at RAF Coltishall will not reduce the performance of the air-sea rescue service covering the North sea.

Mr. Freeman

Yes. The search and rescue service covering the North sea will not be reduced following the replacement of the Sea King helicopters at RAF Coltishall with Wessexes.