§ Mr. MarlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flight crew members are required to operate the C-130K Hercules aircraft; and what are their responsibilities.
§ Mr. HanleyA minimum of five flight members are required to operate a Hercules C130K aircraft; the captain, co-pilot, navigator, air engineer and air loadmaster. The captain is a pilot and responsible for the overall safety of the aircraft; the co-pilot assists the captain with flight management and acts as a safety pilot in the event of incapacity of the captain; the navigator is responsible for the safe navigation of the aircraft in all phases of flight; the air engineer is responsible for all aircraft systems and the air loadmaster is responsible for all aspects of freight, passenger safety and security within the aircraft.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria, in addition to value for money, his Department will use in coming to a judgment on whether to replace half the existing fleet with the new C-130J Hercules or to opt for refurbishment.
§ Mr. AitkenThe basis on which we evaluate bids for military equipment is affordability, value for money, and technical considerations. In considering overall value for money, my Department will consider, with the DTI and Treasury, wider economic factors.