Vol. 562 No. 4
185 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence when the Government jet was last awarded a certificate of air-worthiness; the recommended flying time between such checks; the way in which the aircraft malfunctioned during the life of a valid certificate of air-worthiness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6296/03]
The Gulfstream IV – GIV – aircraft was granted a Federal Aviation Authority – FAA – export certificate of airworthiness in 1991. The recommended flying time between checks differs depending on the particular parts involved – for example engines, airframe etc. – and different checks would therefore be undertaken at say 100, 200 and 500-hour intervals. The requisite checks at the various specified intervals are set out in the Air Corps' approved maintenance programme for the aircraft, which incorporates all of the manufacturer's recommended maintenance activities.
The GIV aircraft, as is the case with all aircraft and equipment generally, suffers from occasional unscheduled unserviceability. When such unscheduled unserviceability occurs, it is dealt with in accordance with the Air Corps' approved maintenance publications. Such approved maintenance publications are a feature of all aircraft, and form an intrinsic part of the Air Corps' approved maintenance programme for the GIV.
The GIV undergoes a full annual maintenance inspection at a Gulfstream's maintenance facility. The last such inspection was completed in August 2002. When this maintenance was completed, Gulfstream issued the aircraft with a certificate of release to service – CRS. The aircraft recommenced operations in September 2002.
