Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many air-misses involving military aircraft operating in the night low-flying system were reported(a) between 10 October 1987 and 31 May 1988 and (b) between 10 October 1988 and 31 May 1989.
§ Mr. NeubertThere were no air miss reports involving military aircraft operating in the night low-flying system for the period 10 October 1987 to 31 May 1988, and one reported for the period 10 October 1988 to 31 May 1989.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the refinements made to the revised night low-flying system with effect from 1 June.
§ Mr. NeubertThe major refinement made to the revised night low-flying system, with effect from 1 June, was to centralise the co-ordination of the system and the responsibility for deconfliction at the tactical booking cell at RAF West Drayton.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been taken since October 1988 to separate rotary and fixed-wing low flying over the United Kingdom(a) at night and (b) during the day.
§ Mr. NeubertAs with all aspects of low flying training, flight safety is under continuous review. Since October 1988, greater separation of rotary and fixed-wing low flying at night has been achieved through the designation of specified geographical areas for either predominantly fixed-wing or predominantly rotary-wing activity. No additional measures to separate fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft during daytime operations have been considered necessary since October 1988.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units were responsible for(a) co-ordination of the night low-flying system and (b) deconfliction in the night low-flying system prior to the introduction of the revised system on 1 June.
§ Mr. NeubertCo-ordination and deconfliction of night low flying during the trial period, to the introducion of the revised night low flying system on 1 June, were the responsibility of HQ strike command, RAF Germany and HQ 3rd air force.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying sorties over the United Kingdom in each year since 1979 by United Slates air force aircraft, providing a breakdown of the figures by aircraft type.
§ Mr. NeubertCentral records are not held in a form which would allow the data requested to be provided.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the scope and purpose of the additional low-flying activity in the Wash area at weekends between 6 May and 25 June.
§ Mr. NeubertThe only unusual military low flying activity identified in the general area of the Wash over the period in question was of Hercules transit activity on 3-4 June associated with exercise Blue Lanyard, about which those hon. Members, whose constituents were likely to be affected were notified in advance in the customary manner.
387W
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the figure for the proportion of RAF Germany low-flying training in 1988 which made use of the United Kingdom low-flying system, provided in the answer from the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 10 May,Official Report, column 475, included low-flying sorties by RAF Germany aircraft which originated from and terminated at airfields in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. NeubertYes.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the differences, in terms of the nature and force of their applicability to military low-flying aircraft, between(a) restricted areas for aviation, as shown on Civil Aviation Authority maps, (b) prohibited areas for aviation, as shown on Civil Aviation Authority maps, (c) provost-marshal prohibited areas, (d) provost-marshal restricted areas, (e) avoidance areas and transit areas in the United Kingdom low flying system, as shown on the Civil Aviation Authority chart entitled "Chart of United Kingdom Areas of Intense Aerial Activity and Military Low Flying System", and (f) military low-flying avoidances in force around individual installations and sites but which are not shown on the Civil Aviation Authority chart entitled "Chart of United Kingdom Areas of Intense Aerial Activity and Military Low Flying System."
§ Mr. NeubertAll restrictions applying to military low flying aircraft are detailed in United Kingdom military low flying regulations and marked, as appropriate, on military low flying charts. There are no differences in the nature and force of the applicability to military aircraft of the categories of restriction listed.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration is being given to authorising low flying at less than 250ft over the United Kingdom during exercises other than work-up training for exercises in the United States of America and Canada.
§ Mr. NeubertTraining in tactical training areas consists mainly of work-up training for operational low-flying exercises in the United States and Canada. Occasional continuation training may also be carried out to maintain aircrew skills between such exercises, thereby reducing the quantity of work-up training required. There are no plans to change this.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on retaining central records of requests from foreign air forces, including the United States air force in the United Kingdom, for authorisation to fly in the United Kingdom low-flying system at less than the normal minimum height; and when this policy was first established.
388W
Date Place Accident Category Cause Red Arrows aircraft crashed during 1. 17/5/1980 Brighton Seafront display 5 Aircrew error 2. 19/8/1980 Valley Airfield Tyre burst on landing 4 Not positively determined 3. 28/7/1982 Valley Airfield Aircraft stalled 5 Aircrew error 4. 20/10/1982 Chivenor Birdstrike caused loss of power 5 Birdstrike 5. 24/6/1983 Isle of Man Flew into a ridge 5 Aircrew error 6. 29/7/1983 40 NM SWP Brawdy Engine surge, failed to relight 5 Not positively determined 7. 29/7/1983 Barnstaple Bay Mid-air collision (2 Hawks) 5 Aircrew error 8. 21/3/1984 Akrotiri Hit ground 5 Aircrew error 9. 31/8/1984 Sidmouth, Devon Engine surge, failed to relight 5 Technical fault
§ Mr. NeubertRecords of any formal requests by foreign air forces for authorisation to carry out training in the United Kingdom at less than normal height would be handled in accordance with the normal and long-standing arrangements applicable to public records in the Ministry of Defence.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate proportion of RAF Germany low-flying training in each year between 1979 and 1987 which has made use of the United Kingdom low-flying system.
§ Mr. NeubertAs my answer to the hon. Member on 11 May 1989 at column475 made clear, accurate figures are not available prior to 1988. It is assessed, however, that for 1987 the proportion of RAF Germany fixed-wing low level sorties that made use of the United Kingdom low flying system was between 20 per cent. and 30 per cent.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of available flying days in the revised night low-flying system from 1 June are allocated to(a) RAF strike command, (b) RAF Germany, (c) RAF support command, (d) the United States air force, (e) other NATO air forces and (f) other users.
§ Mr. NeubertWith the recent centralisation of co-ordination of night low flying at the tactical booking cell at RAF West Drayton, the use of the United Kingdom night low flying system is not allocated to commands on a daily basis.