PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Red Arrows display cancelled due to airspace infringement (merged)
Old 24th August 2003 | 22:19
  #1 (permalink)  
NineEighteen
 
Joined: Mar 2003
: PPL
Posts: 225
Likes: 21
From: London, England
Exclamation Red Arrows display cancelled due to airspace infringement

BBC Online reporting. I guess some people didn't read the NOTAM's today.
Air show threat to prosecute pilots


The Red Arrows were set to top the bill
Four pilots could be prosecuted after the Red Arrows were forced to abort an air show display at the last minute over safety fears.

The world-famous RAF display team were on their final approach to the annual Yorkshire Air Show at Elvington, near York, when a series of airspace infringements made it too dangerous to fly.

A microlight aircraft, a glider and a large flock of birds all strayed into the restricted airspace in addition to one other, as yet, unspecified infringement.

The display team were forced to stand-off four miles from the airfield before cancelling their appearance altogether on safety grounds.

Rare occurrence

Furious air show organiser Ken Cothliff said the Civil Aviation Authority had been informed and the pilots of the rogue aircraft could expect to be prosecuted.

He added: "The Red Arrows can probably count on the fingers of one hand how often this has happened in the past."

The Red Arrows were the top attraction at the two-day event which is expected to attract more than 30,000 people.

Aircraft taking part in the displays will include the Utterly Butterly Wingwalkers, DeHavilland Sea Vixen, B-25 Mitchell Bomber, North American T-6 Harvard, Blue Eagles and the SAR Sea King.

There are also trade stands, craft stalls, classic cars, military vehicles, a funfair, helicopter rides and a static aircraft park.

The Red Arrows are still due to perform at the show on Monday.


Last edited by BRL; 24th August 2003 at 23:34.
NineEighteen is offline