Tag: Sir David Amess

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sir David Amess on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s Written Statement of 10 March 2016, HCWS605, on Air Cadet Aviation Re-launch, whether a decision has been taken to close MDP Wethersfield airfield; and if he will make an assessment of the potential contribution of that facility to supporting 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron operations in the future.

Mr Julian Brazier

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Mark Lancaster) on 24 March (Official Report, column 75WS) which confirmed the release of MOD Wethersfield. It is intended that the site will close before this Parliament ends in 2020.

All units based at the site, including 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, will be provided for elsewhere.

Work to identify the potential future location for these units will be completed later this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sir David Amess on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether officers in gliding schools who are over 65 years of age and have A2* training qualifications or above will be allowed to undertake staff continuation training in the same way as similarly qualified staff aged 65 years old or younger.

Mr Julian Brazier

In accordance with Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulations, pilots over the age of 65 may not operate an aircraft, except with strict restrictions. Therefore, A2* category Gliding Instructors aged 65 or over cannot undertake staff continuation training in the same way as similarly qualified staff below the age of 65.

The relevant MAA regulation (Regulatory Article 2135(3)) states that:

Pilots shall not operate an aircraft once they attain the age of 65 unless the aircraft is fitted with dual controls and is operated with a second pilot who has not yet attained the age of 65. Furthermore, the second pilot shall hold an appropriate qualification and MES (Medical Employment Standard) entitling him to act as pilot in command.