Lyneham backs Hercules over safety concerns
Swindon Advertiser
3rd July 2007
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
AIRCREWS in Lyneham are being forced to work with ageing equipment that is not good enough for the job. A report by the Commons Defence Committee said there were "real doubts" that the RAF planes, which are up to 40 years old, would survive until new replacements were brought in.

The committee also said that only 41 of the RAF's fleet of 75 Hercules, Tristar and VC-10 planes could be put into action at any time. The report states that the Ministry of Defence has an ageing transport and tanker aircraft fleet which is being flown more often than expected in punishing conditions.

It says: "While new transport and tanker aircraft are in the pipeline, it will be some years before they enter service. We have real doubts as to whether the current transport and tanker fleet can provide the level of availability required between now and when these new aircraft come into service."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said he was "very worried" about the state of the RAF's entire fleet of 48 Hercules transporters based at RAF Lyneham. "This is a serious problem with cargo planes which is actually very worrying," said Mr Gray.

"We need new planes to be brought in as soon as they can be. And as much work as possible needs to be done to make sure the old planes have the latest safety devices. I'm sure the RAF is making sure that personnel are not being put at risk, I am sure planes going to Iraq and Afghanistan are properly equipped. But I am definitely worried about the fact that this is a serious issue that needs sorting."

Twenty-five Airbus A400M planes are expected to replace Lyneham's oldest Hercules C130-K planes. But plans are already 15 months behind schedule and the new planes will not be ready for action until spring 2011.

RAF Lyneham spokesman Flight Lieutenant Tiggs Douglas-Sim said that if the introduction of new Airbus planes was delayed, they may have to extend the flying life of the K and J model Hercules, but he didn't envisage any risk to the safety of personnel. "We can fulfil all our duties at the moment with the aircraft that we have," he said.

"But if there was a delay between the K model phasing out and the new ones coming in then they may have to extend the lifespan of the older planes.

"It would be a management issue to make that decision, but providing the aircraft are managed properly there should be now problem with safety or meeting demand.

"We have a couple of frames sitting on the airfield. We can take bits off them to keep the others flying. Every week we have meetings to see what the provision of aircraft is and where aircraft are needed. We sometimes have to chop and change, and occasionally they go out a bit late, but we always meet the requirements."

Commons Defence Committee chairman James Arbuthnot said: "The MoD must give priority to support equipment, such as transport and tanker aircraft. "These are vital for both launching and sustaining military operations."