§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flight simulators are available to the Royal Air Force; when they entered service; and which aircraft they simulate.
§ Mr. NeubertA total of 43 simulators are available to the RAF as follows:
Aircraft type Numbers Entered service Air Combat 1 1986 Buccaneer 2 pre-1975 Chinook 1 Time hired on a commercial system Harrier GR3 2 pre-1975 Harrier GR5 1 Time hired from Spanish airforce Hawk 3 1977 Hawk 2 1978 Hercules 1 1983 Hercules 1 1984 Hercules 1 1985 Jaguar 3 pre-1975 Jet Provost 4 pre-1975 Jetstream 1 1977 Nimrod 3 pre-1975 Phantom 3 pre-1975 Puma 1 Time hired on commercial simulator Tornado F3 4 1988 Tornado GR1 1 1982 Tornado GR1 2 1983 Tornado GR1 1 1984 Tornado GR1 1 1985 Tristar—500 1 Time hired on commercial simulator VC10 C1 1 1987 VC10 K1 1 1987 Victor 1 pre-1975
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence(1) what of his policy towards the use of flight simulators by the aircrew of the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what studies his Department has carried out to determine the extent to which low flying training may be sustained by the use of flight simulators
§ Mr. NeubertSimulation is an important element in training military pilots, particularly in procedures,682W instrument flying and cockpit familiarisation. The extent to which low flying training might be substituted by the use of simulators is kept under review but simulators currently in service with the Royal Air Force do not reproduce the necessary environment with sufficient fidelity to provide an adequate substitute for low level tactical flying training.