Low-Flying Aircraft

HC Deb 02 November 1966 vol 735 cc111-2W

88. Mr. Ramsden

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give instructions for Royal Air Force crews engaged in low-flying training to be briefed to avoid flying over the town of Harrogate.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Low flying over the town of Harrogate is not permitted. If pilots cannot avoid the town laterally they must overfly it at not less than 2,000 feet, which is the normal minimum height for military aircraft over towns.

89. Mr. Ramsden

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what standards of navigational accuracy are required during low-flying training.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

When using authorised low flying training routes aircrews are required to keep within 1½ nautical miles of the required track and to avoid towns and other places where low flying is forbidden. They are not to descend below the minimum height authorised for their flight.