§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the forecast height of the +4 Celsius isotherm along the route of Chinook ZD 576 on 2 June 1994. [35948]
§ Mr. SoamesApproximately 4,500 ft above mean sea level.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours of sleep were obtained by the pilot and co-pilot of Chinook ZD 576 in the 24 hours prior to their accident on 2 June 1994. [35946]
§ Mr. SoamesIt was not possible for the board of inquiry to ascertain how much sleep the two pilots had in the 24 hours prior to the accident. There is no evidence, however, to suggest that either officer had anything other than a relaxing evening with adequate rest.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what were the minimum forecast visibility and cloudbase on the planned route of Chinook ZD 576 from Royal Air Force Aldergrove to Fort George on 2 June 1994; [35942]
(2) on how many occasions the pilot and co-pilot of Chinook ZD 576 on 2 June 1994 had flown at low level from Royal Air Force Aldergrove to Fort George in the previous 12 months; [35932]
1353W(3) what is the maximum permitted number of (a) flying hours and (b) duty hours in any 24-hour period for Chinook aircrew assigned to Royal Air Force Aldergrove; what are the differences between these limits and those applying to Chinook aircrew assigned to other stations; and what changes have been made to the limits at Aldergrove since 2 June 1994; [35947]
(4) how many complete Chinook flight crews were (a) assigned to and (b) available for duty at Royal Air Force Aldergrove on 2 June 1994; and what is the normal planned number of available flight crews. [35944]
§ Mr. SoamesMy noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.