HC Deb 21 June 1994 vol 245 c153W
Mr. Bill Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals his Department has to fit flight data recorders or cockpit voice recorders to Chinook helicopters; and what would be the costs involved in purchasing and fitting flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorder equipment.

Mr. Aitken

A programme to fit a health and usage monitoring system which incorporates an accident data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder is planned to start in 1997. We expect to issue, next year, an invitation to tender for the supply of this equipment, at which time industry will be asked to provide costed proposals.

Mr. Bill Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals his Department has to fit ground proximity warning systems to Chinook helicopters:; and what would be the cost of fitting and purchasing such equipment.

Mr. Aitken

There are no current proposals or costings available to equip Chinook with a ground proximity warning system. All RAF Chinooks are, however, fitted with radar altimeters.