HC Deb 09 March 1989 vol 148 cc674-6W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many movements by Tornado aircraft were recorded at Stornoway airport in 1988.

Mr. Neubert

During 1988 Tornado aircraft were temporarily deployed to Stornoway on eight separate occasions for a single day. Records kept do not identify by aircraft type the number of movements undertaken during the day whilst there.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the results of the noise surveys carried out at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

Mr. Neubert

Evaluation of the results of the noise survey is almost complete and I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account was taken of run and break manoeuvres by military aircraft during the noise surveys at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

Mr. Neubert

Run and break manoeuvres are rarely carried out at Stornoway and none was observed during the noise survey. Such manoeuvres would, in any case, be unlikely to affect the position of the average 70dB(A) noise contour.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account was taken of overshoot manoeuvres by military aircraft during the noise surveys at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

Mr. Neubert

Noise measurements were taken of 18 overshoot manoeuvres (13 by Phantom F4 aircraft arid five by Tornado).

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account was taken of noise from ground engine running by military aircraft during the noise surveys at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

Mr. Neubert

The aim of the noise survey was to measure the noise associated with representative aircraft operations at sites which would enable the computer predicted average 70dB(A) noise contour to be validated. Due to the limited duration of the military exercise it was not possible to take specific measurements of noise from ground engine running. Experience of noise surveys at other military airfields suggests that the noise from this activity would not affect the position of the noise contour.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to military pilots using Stornoway airport(a) during periods of military activation of the airfield and (b) during periods when the airport is under civilian operational control, concerning the carrying out of run and break manoeuvres.

Mr. Neubert

Military pilots practising run and break manoeuvres at Stornoway airport are instructed to approach runway 36 at a minimum height of 600 ft or 1,000 ft if there is any civilian light aircraft or helicopter activity within the circuit area; and runway 18 at a minimum height of 1,000 ft. Pilots should approach with a displacement of 400 ft from the centre line of the runway to the west side and break to the east, away from the populated area. These instructions apply whether air traffic control is being provided by military or civilian personnel.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many simulated air attacks were made on Stornoway airport during its period of activation for Exercise Ocean Safari in September 1987;

(2) how many simulated air attacks were made on Stornoway airport during its period of activation for Exercise Flanagan in July 1988;

(3) how many simulated air attacks were made on Stornoway airport during its period of activation for Exercise Teamwork in September 1988.

Mr. Neubert

There were no simulated attacks made on Stornoway airport during these exercises.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many simulated air attacks have been made on Stornoway airport since 16 May 1988.

Mr. Neubert

As my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) said in his reply at column 352 on 16 May 1988, there is no requirement for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to maintain records of simulated air attacks by military aircraft on Stornoway airport, during the normal periods of civil use. However records are maintained by the RAF when the airfield is activated for military exercises.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what minimum height and maximum speed are specified in the instructions to military fast jet pilots carrying out simulated air attacks on Stornoway airport.

Mr. Neubert

Simulated air attacks at Stornoway airport are very infrequent and are subject to restrictions of height, speed and angle of approach as set out by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many practice approaches were carried out by military aircraft at Stornoway airport in 1988.

Mr. Neubert

During 1988 there were 278 recorded practice approaches made by military aircraft at Stornoway airport. Of these 134 were made during Exercise Flanagan, when RAF Stornoway was activated from 8 to 17 July, and 42 during Exercise Teamwork during the period 30 August to 12 September.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the planned dates of activation of Stornoway airport for military exercises during 1989; and if he will list the title, scope and purpose of the exercise in each case.

Mr. Neubert

At present it is planned that Stornoway airport will be activated for military activity during the following periods: 20 June to 8 July 1989 and 7 to 18 September 1989. I will write to the hon. Member nearer the time giving specific details of the exercises.