Message from Red 1, leader Red Arrows.

[P.Doff]

Hi all, the following is a message form the red arrows leader who has asked for it to be passed on among the aviation community:

Unfortunately, we had to cease our display twice during this last weekend
due to infringements of our Restricted Airspace, once at a display close to
Southampton and the other at the Cosford Air Show. Sadly, these
infringements occur every year and they present me with what can be a
potentially dangerous situation. These temporary areas are exactly that and
are applied for through the Department of Transport and are legally defined
under Civil Law. In effect we borrow the airspace for just 30 minutes so
that we can entertain audiences of up to 250,000 people. When I say borrow,
I mean that the airspace is owned by the UK, no individual owns it and that,
with regulation and agreement we all try to use this airspace safely.

The Red Arrows' restricted airspace is a zone 6 nautical miles in radius,
centred on the display datum, from ground level up to 8000 ft. We apply for
this airspace because the high energy, close formation aerobatic manoeuvres
flown by the Red Arrows means that the pilots are busy looking out for each
other and are unable to look out for other aircraft as well. Prior to each
display, we contact all of the local airfields to our display site reminding
them of the restrictions; also display organisers are also very pro-active
in highlighting any restrictions to other local airspace users.

Whilst the majority of civilian pilots are extremely professional in their
approach to flying, it is disappointing to me that the number of
infringements into the Reds' display airspace by light aircraft,
micro-lights and gliders appears to be on the increase. Should an
infringement occur during one of our displays, I will assess the situation
and in most cases terminate the display immediately. As Team Leader, safety
is my number one concern, that being safety of the spectators, and safety of
my pilots in the air. Obviously when this happens it is extremely
disappointing for the crowds who have paid to see the display, but, far
worse, the likelihood of a collision between intruders and nine fast jets is
extremely high - the risks simply aren't worth taking. I will always ask the
local Air Traffic Control unit to track the infringer and this information
is then passed to the Civil Aviation Authority for potential prosecution.

A point to note is that the Red Arrows' website should not be used as a
planning tool. The website is used to inform our fans and any interested
members of the public about the team and the Royal Air Force. It acts as a
focal point for news, photos and anything else that we can think but it most
definitely not a planning aid.

It is every pilot's responsibility to check the NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen)
and be comprehensively briefed on all aspects of the airspace in which they
are intending to fly. Pilots must also consider the 'what ifs', what may
happen if they are forced into different airspace due to diversion or bad
weather. We do try to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and the
General Aviation communities and I have been very impressed by the work and
effort that goes into educating as many people as possible about sharing our
airspace safely.

All pilots' first port of call should be the AIS website http://www.ais.org.uk,
which has the definitive and legal restricted airspace information. You also
may like to try looking at the privately run website
http://www.flyontrack.co.uk. This very useful website highlights the simple
steps that any GA pilot, experienced or novice ought to take in preparing
for a flight, powered or otherwise! Try the link
http://www.flyontrack.co.uk/hntoi.asp as a great place to discover how not
to infringe restricted airspace.

Above all else, simply phoning the free phone AIS Information Line on 0500
354 802 can save you a lot of embarrassment or worse.

For the 50,000 plus crowd at Cosford this last weekend I am sure that I was
as frustrated and as disappointed as you were that we were unable to perform
our full routine. I hope that this message explains why we were unable to
continue with the display and goes someway to highlight to other pilots and
airspace users the reasons for and dangers of entering restricted airspace.
Please help each other by passing on the flight safety message. Thank you
for your continued support and here's to an enjoyable, rewarding and above
all else safe 2007 season.

Squadron Leader Jas Hawker

Red 1

[Vulcan]

Read about these incidents, some people have absolutely no cop on what-so-ever.