asked the Minister for Defence (a) the authorised number and (b) the actual number of (i) pilots, (ii) aircrew, (iii) cadets and (iv) other personnel on 31 December in each of the years 1970 to 1979 inclusive and the difficulties, if any, being experienced in recruiting or retraining Air Corps pilots or cadets, (c) the number of pilots who were recruited and the number who resigned in the same period, (d) if the method of recruiting Air Corps cadets has been changed recently, if so, why, and if he will give details of the recruiting methods, and (e) the number of cadets (i) recruited in the same period, (ii) who passed their final examination and who were commissioned, and (iii) the number who failed.
Written Answers. - Air Corps Personnel.
202.
The information requested is as follows:
(a) and (b)
Air Corps. Establishment and strength.
|
Officers |
NCO's |
Airmen |
Total All Ranks |
|
|
Establishment |
Establishment |
Establishment |
Establishment |
|
|
31/12/70 |
101 |
203 |
521 |
825 |
|
31/12/71 |
101 |
203 |
521 |
825 |
|
31/12/72 |
99 |
213 |
506 |
818 |
|
31/12/73 |
97 |
215 |
506 |
818 |
|
31/12/74 |
107 |
226 |
530 |
863 |
|
31/12/75 |
110 |
229 |
530 |
869 |
|
31/12/76 |
110 |
229 |
530 |
869 |
|
31/12/77 |
110 |
229 |
530 |
869 |
|
31/12/78 |
110 |
229 |
530 |
869 |
|
31/12/79 |
110 |
229 |
530 |
869 |
|
Strength |
Strength |
Strength |
Strength |
|
|
31/12/70 |
72 |
153 |
247 |
472 |
|
31/12/71 |
69 |
146 |
252 |
467 |
|
31/12/72 |
65 |
160 |
305 |
530 |
|
31/12/73 |
67(including 47 pilots) |
143 |
330 |
540 |
|
31/12/74 |
70 (including 52 pilots) |
165 |
397 |
632 |
|
31/12/75 |
73 (including 51 pilots) |
179 |
408 |
660 |
|
31/12/76 |
80 (including 50 pilots) |
190 |
446 |
716 |
|
31/12/77 |
69 (including 43 pilots) |
181 |
437 |
687 |
|
31/12/78 |
86 (including 42 pilots) |
180 |
424 |
690 |
|
31/12/79 |
91 |
197 |
392 |
680 |
|
(including 59 pilots) |
Note: The number of pilots included in the officer strength for 1970, 1971 and 1972 is not available.
The establishment does not provide for cadets. The number of cadets undergoing training with the Air Corps on 31 December each year were as follows:
|
31/12/70 |
5 |
|
31/12/71 |
6 |
|
31/12/72 |
10 |
|
31/12/73 |
13 |
|
31/12/74 |
17 |
|
31/12/75 |
15 |
|
31/12/76 |
17 |
|
31/12/77 |
23 |
|
31/12/78 |
7 |
|
31/12/79 |
Nil. |
(c) and (e)
The total number of Air Corps cadets recruited in the period 1970 to 1979 inclusive was 75.
The number of Air Corps cadets who successfully completed their flying training and were commissioned as pilot officers in that period was 45. The number of cadets who did not complete their flying training in that period was 30. The total number of pilots who left the Air Corps through resignation, retirement, death, and so on in the same period was 33.
(d)
The last competition for Air Corps cadetships was held in 1977. With a view to improving the situation, consideration has since been given to selecting Army officers and/or Army cadets for training as Air Corps pilots. The matter will be decided shortly before the next competition for Army cadetships is announced and in the light of the revised establishment for the Air Corps. It is anticipated that a class will commence flying training later this year.