§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has(a) to respond to complaints of local residents with regard to aircraft from RNAS Culdrose and (b) to alter air routes used to and from the base to avoid residential areas. [90244]
§ Mr. SpellarAll complaints concerning military aircraft activity at RNAS Culdrose are carefully considered and where there is sufficient evidence to 97W suggest that a breach of flying regulations may have occurred, a thorough investigation is undertaken. The approach and climb out routes to and from the base are dictated by the position of the runways and the prevailing weather conditions, and although they do not take aircraft over major residential areas, overflight of some individual properties is unavoidable. There are no other established air routes in the vicinity of RNAS Culdrose and every effort is made to mitigate the disturbance caused to local communities within the limitations imposed by the need to maintain operational capability.