Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the minimum permitted height for fixed-wing military aircraft operating over the landward portions of(a) the Garvie Island danger area, D 803, (b) the Barry Budon danger area, D 604 and (c) the Lulworth danger area, D 026;
(2) what is the minimum permitted height for fixed-wing military aircraft operating in the Salisbury Plain danger areas, D 123, D 124, D 125, D 126 and D 128.
§ Mr. FreemanThe information requested is as follows
a. when the range is active at Garvie Island, aircraft with the exception of those participating in the exercise must not fly below 40,000 ft;b when the danger area is activated at Barry Buddon training area, a minimum operating height exists of 1,500 ft, except for parachute flying, where drops from 500 ft may be authorised by the range commandant;c from Monday to Friday, between 0800 and 1800. when the Lulworth range danger area is activated, aircraft must fly above 15,000 ft;d on Salisbury Plain danger area D 123, the minimum is 50,000 ft when activated; for area D 124 no one may enter the area from 0800 to 2000 from Monday to Friday as the danger height is unlimited when the area is active from 2000 to 0800 the minimum height is 30,000 ft when in use; for area D 125 the minimum is 50,000 ft when active; area D 128 has a minimum operating height of 1.400 ft when in use.The information given in my reply to the hon. Member on 23 June, at column 717, relating to minimum separation distance and to transit of the areas with prior authority is equally applicable to all the above areas. However, on some ranges, aircraft may descend below the 250 ft MSD during their approach to a target.