§ Sir M. Sueterasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will instruct all commanding officers of air stations before displays are carried out to impress upon pilots the regulation that aerobatics must be carried out above 2,000 feet, and that a spin or other manoeuvre commencing above that altitude should end at 2,000 feet; and whether he will consider the advisability of making pilots sign this regulation, with the view of reducing accidents to a minimum?
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§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe instructions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers appear in paragraph 717 of King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions for the Royal Air Force, and are to the effect that aerobatics at altitudes under 2,000 feet are prohibited, except when permission is granted by an air or other officer commanding in specific instances and for definite purposes, in which case a minimum height is laid down, and that spins may not be continued below 2,000 feet. The importance of strict adherence to all regulations dealing with flying safety is continuously being inculcated, and as displays, in effect, form part of training I do not consider that these regulations need be specially impressed on pilots for these occasions. The regulations to which the hon. and gallant Member specifically refers are two of many which are laid down to ensure flying safety, and it is not considered that it would be advantageous to require pilots to sign these particular regulations when there are others as essential to safety in the air.