Low flying aircrafts

You should report all non-military aircraft incidents to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

• Try and record the last four letters of the aircraft's tail number if possible and safe to do so. Then, the CAA can use it to help trace the pilot and take further action.
• If you can't record the tail number, you should still report the incident to the CAA. Although without the aircraft's tail number, there may be little they can do.
• All UK registered aircraft tail numbers begin with a "G", and it is unlikely any non-UK registered aircraft would be carrying out any surveyance work or similar.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) does not take complaints lightly; in fact, they take them very seriously.

In the event of an incident, you can contact the MoD Low Flying Complaints and Enquiries Unit:

SWK-lowflying@mod.gov.uk

Telephone: 01780 417 558
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm (excluding bank holidays)

MOD Low Flying Complaints and Enquiries Unit
RAF Wittering
Peterborough
PE8 6HB

To make a complaint, send the following information to the MoD:

• your name
• full address and postcode
• telephone number
• date and time of the problem
• location of the problem
• type of aircraft, if known
• a brief description of your complaint

They will listen to your concerns, and you should get a response from MOD within 20 working days.

The Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team can investigate your complaint if you make a complaint about serious injuries or damage.

If you're worried about whether your ride will be affected by a low-flying helicopter, please call the MoD helpline on 01489 443100 (standard call charges apply).

The operator will ask for the postcode of the area where you intend to ride, and they should be able to let you know whether there will be any low flying activity in your local area.

More information is available on the MoD website.

The MoD has published information regarding any planned training exercises with low flying elements and the times when the Tactical Target Areas (TTAs) are active on their website.

The Operational Low Flying Timetable online covers three TTAs: RAF operational low flying training timetable

Military low flying: MoD sponsored air exercises.

The Tactical Target Areas (TTA) were created to provide the necessary competency in flying at operational heights when preparing fast jet aircrew and Hercules aircrew for operational deployments or overseas training exercises.

In the TTAs, fast jets can operate at no lower than 100 feet Above Ground Level, Hercules aircraft at no lower than 150 feet Above Ground Level.

Tactical Training Areas (TTAs) are located in sparsely populated areas of northern Scotland, mid-Wales and the border area of northern England and southern Scotland.

The three TTAs are:

• LFA 7(T) - Central Wales
• LFA 14(T) - Northern Scotland
• LFA 20(T) - The border area of Southern Scotland and Northern England

It is not possible to provide a timetable for routine activity due to several reasons, including security, serviceability of aircraft, and changing weather conditions.

For large equestrian events, there is the possibility of requesting military aircraft to avoid the area temporarily, although it may not be approved for some locations.

Currently, all BE events and most county shows are already avoids for military aircraft. The MoD encourage the use of this request for large activities, particularly when horses are coming from other areas of the UK who may not be so used to low flying aircraft.

Once you have contacted the MoD to apply, they will grant the request as long as it doesn't significantly disturb the low flying training.

When applying, remember to include:

• Your name and nature of the event
• Location and ordnance survey grid reference of the event
• Contact details for the people holding the event
• The date and time when you would like low flying to be stopped

The MoD cannot always avoid flying over all stables and riding schools.

However, all Riding for the Disabled (RDA) establishments are granted avoidance status for the period of their RDA activity following validated application. Applications should be made direct to the RDA at info@rda.org.uk.

The whole island of Anglesey is in a 'Military Air Traffic Zone', which means you need to make any requests for information or avoids for events directly through RAF Valley rather than the MoD.

If you are organising a large equestrian event, we advise that you contact RAF Valley, so they can make crews aware. While they can't avoid every event, please get in touch with them if you feel a particular event is at high risk.

If you live on Anglesey or just off the island, we advise that you join the RAF Valley Facebook and Twitter page. This gives information on night flying and any exercises being held at RAF Valley, which may have unusual aircraft such as Apache or Chinook operating from the base. The MoD try to avoid weekend flying, but this occasionally happens, and this is a good way to be aware of what is going on.

It quickly became clear that wearing hi-vis clothing on both themselves and their horse was the most economical and easy way for pilots to identify riders.

From extensive trials, working with two riders who acted as guinea pigs for the Chinook pilots, it was found that the pilot could see a rider and horse up to half a mile sooner when wearing a hi-vis jacket, hat cover and flysheet. This was plenty of time for them to avoid over-flight and avoid frightening the horse and rider.

Many riders wearing appropriate hi-vis clothing reported that they witnessed pilots taking avoiding action and remained safe because of this.

In addition, the MoD issued countless amounts of hi-vis equipment to riders in areas known to be hot spots for helicopter activity. They also raised the low level flying height limits where possible. There are still places where low level flying will take place at any time, but mostly the horses in these areas have become acclimatised to the noise and take little or no notice.