§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF pilots have completed training in each of the last five years. [56754]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonRAF pilots are classified as passing into 'productive service' following completion of the various stages of pilot training up to and including Operational Conversion Unit training on particular aircraft. Numbers entering 'productive service' in each of the last 5 financial years were as follows:
Year Number of RAF pilots 1993–94 85 1994–95 71 1995–96 87 1996–97 99 1997–98 105
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy Air Service units currently have a shortage of trained pilots; and what is the total extent of the shortfalls. [56750]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe following Naval Air Squadrons have a shortage of trained pilots: 899, 800, 801, 702, 810, 819 and 845. This amounts to a total shortage of 12 trained pilots.