I've since scanned through the appropriate page in my book 'The Royal Air Force At Home' (kindly pardon the plug) and I noted that in 1953, all aerobatics manoeuvres had to be complete above 1,500' by solo and formation teams. By 1963 this had been lowered to 1,000'. This was in Fighter Command Air Staff instructions. However, this, among other rules, could be relaxed for special occasions such as Farnborough etc.
Rose tinted memories always suggest otherwise and I am aware that display sequences were put together by the pilot crew with some degree of latitude but the C.O/Squadron Commanders' ruling or adjudication on anything at all was certainly not up for debate.
Nevertheless, it suggests a fair accommodation that 500' is the rule now. I've seen some photos of RAF flying displays, especially the Red Arrows from the '60s and '70s and frankly there is no way that the stipulated rules appear to be wholly satisfied.
FB
