§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the minimum operational flying height permitted under the terms of the lease of the four Boeing C-17 Globemaster aircraft for the RAF will be. [140572]
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§ Mr. SpellarThere is no minimum operating height, other than for flight safety reasons, within the flight envelope for the C-17 aircraft. However, as the requirement which the C-17s will meet is that for outsized strategic airlift, not tactical airlift, we have no plans to use these aircraft for low level operations.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the air-dropping of troops or equipment will be permitted under the terms of the lease of the four Boeing C-17 Globemaster aircraft for the RAF. [140570]
§ Mr. SpellarI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the maximum number of flying hours permitted for each of the four Boeing C-17 Globemaster aircraft will be under the terms of their lease for the RAF; and what penalties are specified if the figure is exceeded. [140571]
§ Mr. SpellarUnder the terms of the lease there is no restriction on the number of flying hours permitted either for individual aircraft or across the fleet.