It might also be an appropriate moment to remind Sq Ldr Lovett that the RAF is hardly in a position to occupy the moral high ground when it comes to the safe operation of GA type aircraft, given the various fatal incidents of the past few years. As far as I am aware there were no fatalities in the comparable 'air experience' operations carried out by civilian flying schools over the same period, or indeed before or since.
As for the issue of editing, most official spokespeople are trained and very well versed in what, and what not, to say. Yes, they will wave the 'I was quoted out of context' flag when things blow up in their face, but in reality they know the score.
Anybody know how much this glorified two week pancake race is costing us?