HC Deb 29 November 1993 vol 233 cc362-5W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been introduced to improve the geographical spread of low flying in the United Kingdom low-flying system since the report by the National Audit Office in 1990.

Mr. Hanley

In 1992, a fast jet turn-round facility was established at RAF Leuchars to enable low-flying training in the United Kingdom by RAF aircrews based in Germany to be carried out in the relatively lightly used northern half of Scotland. In addition, a continuous review of the United Kingdom low-flying system is carried out which ensures that avoidances, which tend to channel activity, only continue to apply where absolutely necessary.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the maximum permitted speeds for each type of aircraft during(a) the run-up to simulated targets and (b) practice interceptions and fighter evasion, during low-level sorties at (i) 250 ft and (ii) 100 ft, in the United Kingdom low-flying system; and if he will indicate the date on which each specified limit was introduced.

Mr. Hanley

For military aircraft operating in the United Kingdom low-flying system at 250 ft above ground level, the maximum speed permitted overland during run-up to simulated targets or during practice interceptions is 550 knots, except for F111 and FI5E aircraft which are limited to 520 knots and Hawk aircraft which are limited to 500 knots. The maximum speeds for military aircraft flying at 100 ft above ground level are as follows:

Military aircraft Knots
Jaguar 520
Tornado 500
Hawk 480
Harrier GR5/7 420
Speed restrictions for most of the aircraft concerned were introduced in January 1991, although further restrictions were introduced for Jaguar and F15E aircraft in April 1992.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force fast jet pilots currently hold a qualification to fly at 100 ft above ground level.

Mr. Hanley

The information is not available.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many operational low-flying sorties were authorised in(a) the Borders tactical training area, east, and (b) the Borders tactical training area, west, in each month from January 1991 to the latest available date.

Mr. Hanley

Figures showing the number of operational low-flying sorties flown in the borders tactical training area are not available. However, the number of operational low-flying movements authorised into the borders tactical training area, east, and borders tactical training area, west, in each month from January 1991 to the latest available date are as follows:

LFA2OT (East) LFA2OT (West)
1991
January 113 67
February 72 55
March 203 121
April 0 0
May 4 4
June 0 0
July 0 0
August 0 0
September 5 4
October 15 23
November 103 85
December 226 156
1992
January 76 65
February 162 199
March 146 117
April 96 91
May 52 37
June 79 72
July 74 50
August 98 75
September 39 29
October 139 104
November 87 49
December 70 61
1993
January 149 130
February 105 74
March 396 321
April 212 200
May 138 102
June 34 23
July 0 0
August 104 46
September 28 16

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been collected since the Royal Air Force Strike Command trial in 1988–89, on the amount of actual low flying carried out by Royal Air Force aircrew.

Mr. Hanley

Since mid-1989 information has been collected showing the amount of time spent in different height bands by Royal Air Force Strike Command aircraft while operating in the United Kingdom low-flying system. Collection of the information continues.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the first operational low-flying sortie took place in the Borders tactical training area, west..

Mr. Hanley

Operational Low Flying was first carried out in the borders tactical training area, west, on 29 June 1988.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are held of low flying between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am.

Mr. Hanley

Records of low-level sorties flown between these times will be held on the flight authorisation sheets held by flying stations and on the low-level booking sheets held by the tactical booking cell at RAF West Drayton. Such sorties are not, however, separately identified in the statistics maintained for central management purposes.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been adopted since 1989 to achieve a more even distribution throughout the working week of low-flying training over the United Kingdom.

Mr. Hanley

Every effort is made to ensure as even as possible a distribution of activity throughout the working week, subject to the constraining factors of aircraft availability, support and engineering staff availability, range opening times, normal operating hours of the United Kingdom low-flying system and suitable weather conditions.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions are placed on low flying in low-flying area 16; and what advice is given to aircrew booking into that area, when low-flying area 20 is active.

Mr. Hanley

Low flying is normally permitted down to a minimum height of 250 ft minimum separation distance within the whole of low-flying area 16. When low-flying area 20T—the borders tactical training area—is active, aircraft not conducting operational low flying are not permitted to operate below 500 ft in that part of LFA 16 which overlays LFA 20T. Aircrew are notified of the times when LFA 20T is active by means of notices to airmen.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the March 1989 report on the Royal Air Force Strike Command investigation of the amount of low flying carried out by aircrew.

Mr. Hanley

The document requested is classified and cannot be released.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many operational low-flying sorties were authorised in the area covered by the Borders tactical training area in each year between 1979 and the formal incorporation of the training area in 1984.

Mr. Hanley

No operational low flying was conducted in the area now covered by the Borders tactical training area between 1979 and November 1983, when a six-month trial of operational low flying was begun in the area prior to its formal incorporation into the United Kingdom low-flying system in 1984. During this period, a total of 373 movements were authorised into the borders tactical training area.