The iconic Red Arrows display team has been given permission to conduct low-flying training over a Nottinghamshire airbase as the team looks for a new training location. The RAF has announced the Civil Aviation Authority has allowed the practice flights to take place from January 9 until April 17 over RAF Syerston, in Flintham, near Newark.
The low-flying training would previously have taken place at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, the former home of the Red Arrows, which closed in September as part of cost-cutting measures by the Ministry of Defence. Outlining the reason for the temporary airspace change, the RAF said: "The MOD is selling RAF Scampton which it hopes to complete in early 2023 and the [Red Arrows] will relocate to RAF Waddington prior to this date.
"The MOD is exploring alternative airspaces to enable the Red Arrows to continue to train. RAF Syerston has been identified as potentially suitable. To determine whether RAF Syerston is a viable option for establishment of new permanent airspace, a temporary airspace structure is required to test the site and assess what the impact would be on local aviation and ground stakeholders."
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Minutes from a meeting between the RAF and Newark and Sherwood District Council show that there are hopes of "minimal impact" on local residents. The minutes read: "There would likely be an impact on local communities.
"It was made clear that it was hoped that any disruption would be minimal. However, it was expected there would be an increased immediate noise footprint during the training slots. It was however explained that it was very unlikely that [the Red Arrows] would use all the slots over the 90-day period, with a focus on maximising use of the slots [in the first 6 to 8 weeks]."
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