§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Tucano aircraft to be returned to service; and if he will make a statement on the airworthiness of the Tucano fleet. [138428]
§ Mr. SpellarFollowing the temporary cessation of Tucano flying on 4 September 2000 the first Tucano aircraft were returned to service on 29 September 2000. There is a rolling programme under way to bring the entire fleet back into service and the full training fleet of aircraft should be available by the end of February 2001.
§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of repairs to the faults recently identified in the RAF's Tucano aircraft. [138427]
§ Mr. SpellarThe cost of repairs to the rudder controls on aircraft currently in the Tucano training fleet is estimated at around £250,000. Modified parts with a greatly extended service life will subsequently be fitted across the Tucano fleet. The total cost of the repair and subsequent modification programme to all RAF Tucano aircraft will be in the order of £1 million.