§ Sir John CopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the university air squadrons in each of the last five years showing(a) the cost of staff, (b) the cost of aircraft, (c) the cost of airfields and (d) other costs.
§ Mr. SoamesI will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
§ Sir John CopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying students joined university air squadrons in each of the last five years; and how many completed initial flying training with such squadrons.
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§ Mr. SoamesInformation on the number of undergraduates who joined the university air squadrons as flying members is only available for the last three years, and is as follows:
- Financial year 1992–93: 348
- Financial year 1993–94: 346
- Financial year 1994–95: 404
Information for earlier years could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The total UAS student pilot establishment is 725.
Records are not maintained centrally on the number of UAS students who successfully complete the entire UAS flying syllabus. However, of those ex-UAS pilots who enter initial officer training each year, it is assessed that historically around two thirds will have successfully completed the UAS flying syllabus.
In the future, the UASs are committed to train all potential pilots up to a common standard for entry into basic flying training in the Royal Air Force.