I KNOW it’s three weeks since M J Gloyens, of Norton, wrote in about his or her “flying sickness”, but I just had to reply.

The three correspondents need to sit down and take stock of their pathetic attitudes towards RAF flying training activities.

If our young (and not so young) pilots had not been so competent 70 odd years ago, we might all be living in a very different, very oppressive society today.

Also, would these three be very happy if they saw Russian Bear aircraft overflying our homeland instead of being intercepted and escorted away over the North Sea by the same “ego-trip” pilots that they are complaining about – not to mention RAF close air support in Afghanistan and attacks on ISIS insurgents in Syria etc, all in our interest.

I spent 30 years in the defence of our sovereign air space and the attitudes of these three and many others like them I take as an insult.

They don’t deserve the protection they are being given.

R Bowman, Pickering

 

• I SHARE the views expressed by some of your correspondents about the annoyance caused by light aircraft when repeatedly diving and climbing.

However, it would be most useful if it could be firmly established where they are coming from. A discussion could then be started with the airfield or airfields with a view to mitigating the effects as far as possible by modifying position, timing, altitude and engine noise while continuing with such vital activities as the RAF training, mentioned by your correspondent.

From Pickering the planes seem to be mainly in the south and west, several times a day, when they appear to be testing engines or practising aerobatics Is it possible that some planes come from airfields apart from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, which you mentioned?

Could I ask if any other airfield can confirm that they are a source and possibly explain the situation from their point of view.

Tim Boardman, Pickering