Defence: F111 Fleet

Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 23 May 2002:

With reference to F-111 aircraft:

1. What is the target for flying hours in the 2001-02 financial year for the fleet.
2. To date, how many hours have been flown towards the target.
3. With reference to the response to a written question no. W23 in the February 2002 estimates hearing of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee which stated that the additional cost of maintaining ageing aircraft ranges from 3 per cent to 7 per cent depending on the type: For each of the three F-111 models used by the Royal Australian Air Force what, specifically, is the estimated rate of increase to costs associated with ageing for that type.
4. (a) What is the average amount of flying hours F-111 pilots accrued in the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 financial years and the 2001-02 financial year to date; and (b) for each year in (a), what was the average strength of F-111 pilots, that is, the number of pilots.
5. For the months of January, February, March, April and May in 2002, (a) what was the number of F-111s that flew; and (b) what was the total hours flown.
6. Of the 35 F-111s, how many have not flown at all in 2002.
7. Of the F-111s that have flown in 2002: (a) when did each of them last fly; and (b) what was the total hours that each aircraft has flown in 2002 to the end of May 2002.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. The target flying hour rate for the F-111 fleet at the beginning of FY01/02 was set at 3600 hours but was revised down to 2500 hours in February 2002.
2. As of the end of May 2002, the F-111 fleet had flown 2407 hours for the financial year.
3. Five percent is the factor used to estimate the increasing support costs over time for all three F-111 variants. The figure is not precise and is drawn from United States and limited Royal Australian Air Force data. The range of three to seven percent previously quoted by Defence relates to F-111 and other aircraft types.
4. Aircrew strength and accrued flying hours for individuals is classified.
5. During the months January to May 2002, 15 F-111s flew a total of 898 hours.
6. See answer to 5.
7. This information is not appropriate for public release.

close