dastocks, you suggest that ;
one of the fundamental duties of a FDD (Flight Display Director) would be to monitor the display as it is happening
Yes it is one of his fundamental duties. But another is conducting mandatory briefings of display participants. There is more than one briefing during the day. That was what Rod Dean was doing when the crash happened. His absence was also prolonged by having to consider the possibility of programme changes because of forecast crosswinds outside historic aircraft limits. Incidentally (pedant hat on) - it's Flying Display Director, not Flight Display Director! (pedant hat doffed)
But the Flying Control Committee (FCC) has the duty of monitoring the whole display, whether the FDD is present or not. None of the FCC was present at the inquest when Rod Dean was giving evidence, but he said that the FCC had noticed the low entry height and the strange performance of the first half of the loop: they had discussed a STOP call, but decided that it would be too much of a distraction to the pilot at what was clearly a very busy moment, he said.
I don't believe any of the FCC is due to give evidence. Indeed, the chairman has died since the show.
airsound