Texan T1 Aircraft Flying 'Currently Minimised'

The Royal Air Force's fleet of Texan T1 training aircraft have been unable to operate over water. 

Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin confirmed that there are temporary problems with the aircraft, in a written statement to the House of Commons.

"The operation of Texan T1 trainers over water is currently minimised on a temporary basis," he said in a written answer from earlier this month.

"This is because as part of the aircraft certification process, the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) deemed that the harness on this particular aircraft could not currently be fitted with a water-activated quick-release mechanism which would be required if a pilot became incapacitated in a sea survival situation. 

"Also, in extreme cold weather survival situations, the life raft would not provide extended thermal protection period for the pilot.

"The RAF is working as a priority exploring options for a new combination of life raft, harness and life jacket on Texan aircraft, that would enable the review of this restriction."

The issue came to light after Hywel Williams, the Plaid Cymru MP for Afron, asked whether the Texan T1s had been "cleared to operate over water".

The training aircraft is part of a £1.2 billion investment into fixed-wing aircraft training under the Military Flight Training System (MFTS), a programme designed to train and prepare junior pilots for the frontline.

The first flight of the Texan T1 took place at RAF Valley in February.

Personnel begin training on the Prefect, before moving on to the Texan T1 and finishing flying the Hawk T2.

The T1 will replace the Tucano in the fast jet training programme and has the ability to simulate missions in both fourth and fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning and Typhoon.

Cover Image: MOD.