Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Air Corps Training.

Ivor Callely

Question:

196 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the recommendations and progress of the General Officer Commanding of the Air Corps in regard to training needs of pilots and cadets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22872/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

Air Corps cadets undergo six months basic military orientation in the cadet school before reporting to the Air Corps to commence flying training and complete officer training. The duration of the flying training course is approximately eighteen months and successful cadets are conferred with "Wings" and commissioned as second-lieutenants in the Air Corps. Eleven Air Corps cadets who are nearing completion of training are due to be commissioned as second-lieutenants and be conferred with "Wings" at a ceremony in Baldonnel on 10 November next.

In addition to the cadets due to be commissioned on 10 November, there are presently two Air Corps cadet classes in training – one class of 12 in the Cadet School, Military College, Defence Forces Training Centre who have recently started basic military training and the second class of 13 cadets in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel who are undergoing flight training.

The flying training course is divided into three phases – elementary, basic and advanced. The aircraft used on the elementary and basic phases is the Marchetti. Training for the advanced phase is carried on both the Gazelle helicopter and the Beechcraft. All flying training for cadets is conducted at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

As has been the policy for many years, maximum advantage is taken of the availability abroad of aircraft simulators for the training of flying officers. These simulators principally allow for inexpensive training of normal operational techniques as well as a full range of emergency procedures without risk to aircraft or crew.

The use of hired simulators represents very good value for money as skills and procedures are learned at a fraction of the cost of operating the actual aircraft type. Meanwhile the service aircraft remains available for operational tasks for the maximum amount of time.

About 20 officers train abroad each year on Gulfstream IV in the US, Beech King Air 200 in France and CASA Cn235n in Spain.

Question No. 197 taken with Question No. 158.

Question No. 198 taken with Question No. 121.