Low Flying (Hansard, 16 November 1987)

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any part of the tactical route for low flying by larger and less manoeuvrable military aircraft has been reinstated since its closure in 1982; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
No.

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current maximum capacity of the United Kingdom low-flying system in terms of numbers of military low-level training sorties flown per year;
(2) if planning for the future use of the United Kingdom military low-flying system includes the setting of target or maximum figures for the total number of sorties to be flown in any given period; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
There is no restriction on the total number of military low level training sorties flown in the United Kingdom each year; nor is any planned.

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes are planned for the United Kingdom low-flying system in respect of(a) air traffic control procedures (b) flight safety procedures (c) aircraft routing patterns and (d) the vertical and horizontal boundaries of existing low-flying areas.

§ Mr. Freeman
All these aspects of the managements of low flying in the United Kingdom are kept under continuous review.
451W

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of reducing the size of the Manston/Lydd low-flying avoidance area in 1984–85.

§ Mr. Freeman
The Manston-Lydd low-flying avoidance area was reduced in size, in February 1985, to alleviate local air space congestion, spread activity more widely and evenly, and dilute the noise disturbance for those living in surrounding areas.

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of deleting the low-flying avoidance areas over Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight, the Isles of Scilly, Orkney and Shetland in 1986.

§ Mr. Freeman
Since 1979 when the new United Kingdom low-flying system was introduced, of the areas specified in the question, only the Isle of Wight has been an avoidance area. Low-flying aircraft did not however generally fly over the Isles of Orkney and Shetland or the Isles of Scilly before these areas were surveyed by the MOD (in 1986 and 1987 respectively) to identify potential flight safety hazards and more sensitive locations. Fixed-wing low-flying training is not currently carried out in Northern Ireland because of the high level of operational flying there.

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations took place between his Department and officials of the local authorities concerned prior to the deletion of the low-flying avoidance areas over Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight, the Isles of Scilly, Orkney and Shetland in 1986.

§ Mr. Freeman
None.

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there are any plans to eliminate or reduce the size of any existing low-flying avoidance areas in the United Kingdom military low-flying system; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
As part of the continuous monitoring of the UKLFS, a programme of reviews of avoidance areas is carried out and changes made when necessary, reflecting changes on the ground, and aimed at spreading low flying more evenly and enhancing flight safety, while at the same time reducing, where possible, the disturbance to those on the ground.

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date the normal maximum speed for military flying at less than 500 ft over the United Kingdom was increased from 420 knots to 450 knots; when this change was announced; and what consultations took place with local authorities, farming interests and environmental bodies prior to implementation of the increased speed limit;
(2) in which areas of the United Kingdom, and under what circumstances, low-flying military aircraft are permitted to fly at speeds up to 540 knots;
(3) in which areas of the United Kingdom, and under what circumstances, low-flying military aircraft are permitted to fly at speeds up to 480 knots.

§ Mr. Freeman
The normal maximum cruising speed in the United Kingdom low-flying system for all military aircraft is 450 knots, except for F-111s which are allowed, for aircraft handling reasons, to fly at speeds of up to 480 knots. Aircraft may however increase their speed above these levels to a maximum of 550 knots (overland) in452W special circumstances such as simulated attack or interception manoeuvres. Prior to the introduction of the revised United Kingdom low-flying system in 1979 the usual aircraft speeds were between 240 and 420 knots, with some aircraft being allowed to fly up to 550 knots. During the introduction of the revised system, changes in height and speed limits were implemented gradually, and the current speed restrictions came into force on 1 March 1980. There were no consultations with local authorities, farming interests and environmental bodies on this matter, nor was such consultation considered necessary.