Vol. 561 No. 5
112 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the types of aircraft in the possession of the Air Corps; the number in regard to each category which are currently serviceable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4664/03]
The Air Corps at present has 17 fixed wing aircraft and 13 helicopters as follows:
a) Six Cessna aircraft of American design and French manufacture are held. These are army co-operation aircraft with some offensive (air to ground) capability and with training capability which are all serviceable at present.
b) One Beech Super Kingair twin-engined turbo-prop aircraft which is used for the Ministerial Air Transport Service and twin-engined pilot training and is serviceable at present.
c) One Gulfstream IV aircraft which is used for transport of Ministers and officials. This aircraft is serviceable at present.
d) Two CASA CN 235 aircraft which are used mainly for fishery surveillance purposes. One is serviceable at present and one is on scheduled maintenance and is expected back into service this week.
e) Seven Alouette 111 helicopters are held. They are used for search and rescue, air ambulance and other services and have proved valuable in security operations. Three are currently serviceable. Three are on scheduled maintenance and are expected back in service in March 2003. One requires major overhaul in France which will take some time.
f) Two Gazelle helicopters which are used for pilot training. One is serviceable at present. The other aircraft is unserviceable due to crash in 2002 and is beyond economic repair.
g) Four SA 365F Dauphin helicopters which are used for search and rescue. Two are serviceable and two are on scheduled maintenance. Both are expected back in service in March 2003.
h) Seven Siai-Marchetti SF 260 W aircraft of Italian manufacture which are being used for basic pilot training, of which three are currently serviceable. Four are on scheduled maintenance with one scheduled to return to service during this week.
