§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the minimum authorised altitude for the air display by the two MiG-29 aircraft which collided at RAF Fairford on 25 July; and what was the overall minimum altitude for all participating aircraft in the display.
§ Mr. HanleyAll participants in the international air tattoo held at RAF Fairford were required to comply with the regulations contained in the Joint Services Publication 318 as follows
67WFixed Wing aircraft performing straight and level flypast—not below 100 feet Minimum Separation Distance (MSD).Rotary Wing aircraft performing straight and level flypast—not below 50 feet MSD.Aircraft performing aerobatic manoeuvres and inverted flight—not below 500 feet MSD.Fixed Wing aircraft performing all other manoeuvres—not below 300 feet MSD.Rotary Wing aircraft performing all other manoeuvres—not below 100 feet MSD.Helicopters and vertical or short take-off and landing aircraft may operate below the above MSDs during hovering and transition manoeuvres.