| Highclere Air Crash |
| The issue: |
Dear Sir George,
I wonder if I could prevail upon you to assist us, the inhabitants of one of your North Hampshire villages?
As a regular attender of events in Highclere, I'm sure the recent reports in the media concerning a local pilot and his microlight did not escape your notice. Some reports claimed he was attempting to land at a 'private airfield'. This 'private airfield' is in fact, a paddock of approximately 15 - 20 acres, immediately behind houses on the west side of Tubbs Lane and the south side of Pantings Lane. It is surrounded on three sides by tall trees and houses. It has been used regularly as a landing strip for approximately two years, providing great consternation to many of the local residents, particularly those at the northern end of the runway in Pantings Lane - one of whom has logged most of his arrivals and departures.
I am reliably informed by a local professional aviator that he is within the law to do this because the craft is classed as a microlight and not as an aeroplane - he is apparently allowed to land anywhere he deems fit for the purpose. The unfortunate aspect of this is that his craft is still just as capable of killing those unfortunate enough to be in the way when he makes an unplanned descent as if he was in a Cessna or some other type of 'proper' aircraft.
It seems reasonable to me to allow someone with basic qualifications to risk his own life while flying, but it does not seem reasonable that he should be allowed to so flagrantly put the lives of others at risk.
While I am no supporter of the recent trend towards a nanny state, I would be grateful if you could raise this matter in appropriate quarters with a view to achieving some basic rules on what could be considered a reasonably safe distance between these 'private airfields' and residential property.
Your help in this matter would, I'm sure, be appreciated by most of us living here in Highclere.
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| Date Issue Raised: |
17 Apr 2008 |
| My response: |
Many thanks for the email and I had indeed read of this accident. What a mercy that no-one on the ground was hurt, and we must hope the pilot recovers from what sounds like some serious injuries.
I agree that this raises some important issues. In the first instance I would like to clarify the position with the local planning authority and, if it does indeed appear that the law needs strengthening in the interests of public safety, I will take the matter up with Ministers.
I will let you know how I get on.
Best wishes, George Young
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Sir George Young Bt MP: Constituency and Parliamentary Website 