Low Flying (Hansard, 29 October 1993)

§ Mr. Home Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the RAF police investigation of the low-flying incident over Gullane on 16 September 1992 included(a) an interview with the rear-seat passenger in the Tornado or (b) interviews with or attempts to find witnesses on the ground apart from the original complainer.

§ Mr. Hanley
The RAF police investigation of the low-flying incident over Gullane on 16 September 1992 did not include an interview with the rear seat passenger of the aircraft or interviews with or attempts to find witnesses on the ground other than the original complainant.
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§ Mr. Home Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the established procedure to be followed if a Tornado navigator feels unwell during a low-level sortie.

§ Mr. Hanley
No specific procedures apply if a Tornado navigator feels unwell during a low level sortie. The pilot will decide appropriate action, which may range from carrying on with the original purpose of the flight in the case of a temporary incapacity to terminating the sortie, in the light of the particular circumstances.

§ Mr. Home Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the regulations for low-level familiarisation flights in Tornado aircraft; what are the criteria for weather at base and operating area, and the minimum altitude and maximum speed; whether such flights can include low passes or simulated attacks either on planned targets or targets of opportunity; what are the limits on bank angle and G pull on such flights.. what specific manoeuvres are prohibited in such flights; and whether such flights are permitted in operational GRI and GRIA variants.

§ Mr. Hanley
The weather criteria for a low-level Tornado familiarisation sortie are visibility of 5 km and 1,500 m horizontal and 500 ft vertical separation from cloud. These are the standard criteria for military low flying. The weather at the base airfield must also meet the standard criteria for take off and landing of 800 m visibility and a minimum cloud base of 200 ft. The minimum altitude permitted during the sortie is 250 ft minimum separation distance; and the maximum speed permitted would normally be 480 knots, although an absolute maximum speed overland of 550 knots may be permitted for very short time periods. Low passes and simulated attacks would be permitted. There are no limits placed on the angle of bank, and the maximum G would be dictated by the limits placed on the aircraft unless the passenger's medical clearance specified a lower limit. No specific manoeuvres are prohibited but the involvement of passengers in the operation of weapon release equipment or switches is not permitted. Such sorties may be flown in operational variants of the Tornado GR1 and GR la. All such sorties must be properly authorised, and the pilot of the aircraft must meet minimum experience and qualification standards before being permitted to fly passengers.