HC Deb 27 October 1998 vol 318 cc112-3W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum recommended usage for tyres for each type of RAF aircraft; and what was the(a) mean, (b) median and (c) maximum recorded usage in each of the last three years. [56059]

Mr. Doug Henderson

No maximum recommended usage is prescribed for RAF aircraft tyres. Aircraft tyres are inspected to assess wear and damage after each flight. If the wear or damage exceeds the limits set by the tyre manufacturer, then the tyre is replaced. Detailed information about the levels of tyre usage is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual requirement for tyres for each type of RAF aircraft; and what is the total RAF requirement for aircraft tyres. [56052]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The RAF's total estimated annual requirement for tyres, by aircraft type, is recorded in the table.

Aircraft Number of tyres
BAe 146 35
Hercules 185
Nimrod 343
Harrier 4,561
Tornado 4,049
Puma 92
Sentry 60
Wessex 29
Canberra 23
Dominie/HS125 113
VC10 279
Bulldog 155
Hawk 728
Jaguar 500
Tucano 245
Tristar 185
Chinook 121
Jetstream 167
Sea King 255
Total 12,125

Note:

Figures include new and retreaded tyres

The number of tyres used by each aircraft type each year is not recorded centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.