RAF inspects Hawk T1 ejection seats: jets all still grounded

[Stratofreighter]

...with ejection seat problems...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-nort ... s-10782263" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

28 July 2010 Last updated at 09:50 GMT

Fault grounds aircraft at Anglesey RAF base

Hawks at RAF Valley in Anglesey have been grounded after an engineer discovered a fault

All training Hawks at RAF Valley on Anglesey have been grounded after engineers detected a fault in an aircraft.

The problem with the ejector seat of one of the craft was spotted during an on-site inspection on Tuesday morning.

Hawks have also been grounded at

- RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset,

- RAF Leeming in Yorkshire and

- RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

The fleet will not be permitted to fly until each aircraft has been inspected.

There are currently around 50 Hawks based at RAF Valley, which provides advanced pilot training.

A source at RAF Valley told BBC Wales the fault was found due to the scrutiny of one of their local engineers (BAe civil contractor).

It is not known how long it will take to inspect all the aircraft.

A Ministry of Defence (MOD) spokesperson said: "Safety of our air crews is of paramount importance.

"Although there may be a minor disruption to training flights while we investigate, there will be no impact on operations."

The grounding request affects all training Hawk aircraft in the UK that are fitted with a mark 10 ejection seat.

According to the MOD this will also affect the Red Arrows' ability to fly.

Also see http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/ ... unded.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .

[Stratofreighter]

DATE:03/08/10

SOURCE:Flight International

RAF to inspect grounded Hawk trainer fleet

By Craig Hoyle

The UK Royal Air Force hopes to issue inspection guidelines on 4 August that should enable it to begin resuming flight operations with its BAE Systems Hawk T1/1A jet trainers.

A ground inspection of one aircraft conducted at RAF Valley in Anglesey, north Wales on 27 July found surface cracks in the structure of one of the aircraft's Martin-Baker Mk10B ejection seats, the service confirms.

Its entire Hawk T1/1A fleet - which includes the aircraft of the Red Arrows aerobatic display team - was suspended from flight operations as a safety precaution.

The RAF ordinarily has around 90 of the legacy type in use, including 14 flown for the Royal Navy.

Martin-Baker personnel have been conducting their own checks on the affected equipment, and are due to deliver inspection guidelines soon, the RAF says.
It hopes to be able to clear the Red Arrows to make their planned appearances at the Bournemouth air show and at other commitments this weekend.

Meanwhile, BAE Systems has asked its international Hawk operators using aircraft equipped with Mk10B seats to conduct their own inspections and report back with any findings.

The grounding order excludes the RAF's new Hawk T2/128 trainers, which are also based at RAF Valley.