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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1986

Vol. 363 No. 12

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Corps Fleet.

9.

asked the Minister for Defence the number of, condition of, and any other information regarding our Air Corps fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Air Corps operate a total of 37 aircraft, both helicopter and fixed wing. Eight Alouette helicopters are used for search and rescue, air ambulance and transport operations while two Gazelle helicopters are used for pilot training.

Of the fixed wing type, three Beech King Air 200 aircraft are used for fishery surveillance and pilot training. Eight Cessna single engined aircraft are used for military duties, nine Siai Marchetti SF 260W single engined aircraft are used for pilot training, six Fouga Magister CM 170 twin-engined jet aircraft are used for pilot training and the British Aerospace HS 125 is used for ministerial transport.

All aircraft are either serviceable or undergoing maintenance. Continuous periodic maintenance is necessary in connection with all aircraft operations.

Can the Minister tell us the reason for the abnormal delay in the delivery of the five Dauphin helicopters ordered three years ago? When can we expect delivery?

This delay is a great disappointment to me and to the personnel of the Air Corps. It is due to the failure of the contractors to supply the very advanced avionics specified by the Air Corps. It involved novel miniaturisation of some of the computer facilities on board. The development and design of these features has given rise to difficulties because what has been prescribed is, in effect, novel. It is hoped that the design difficulties have now been overcome and we are hopeful that the two Naval helicopters will be delivered in March and the remaining three before the end of the year. I emphasise that this is what we hope. We have specified avionic requirements up to the threshold of that art and in fulfilling our requirements there have been considerable and genuine technical difficulties.

Are the helicopters single or twin-engined? Does the list of aircraft given in the Minister's reply include the ministerial jet?

The answer to the latter part of the Deputy's question is yes. That is the aircraft which is known as the British Aerospace HS 125. The helicopters are single engined but the replacement helicopters will be twin-engined.

Can the Minister confirm whether some of the Dauphin helicopters were delivered and returned to the manufacturers?

None of the aircraft has been delivered yet but one of them has been in use in training exercises on the helicopter vessel Eithne.

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