Low flying military training

A Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR4

Soko J-22 Orao in low level flight, 2007

Low flying military training involves military aircraft flying at low altitude to prepare their aircrew, and other military personnel (e.g. air defence troops), for nap-of-the-earth flying in wartime. The aircraft types can include advanced trainers, ground-attack aircraft, transports and helicopters.

Some countries have sufficiently large military reservations for such training to take place without affecting the civilian population. In smaller countries, such as in Europe, there can be tension between the military and the local population - mainly because of aircraft noise.

Hazards

Low-level flying involves air safety hazards such as:

• Collision with the ground, electricity wires etc. as a result of pilot error (e.g. Cavalese, 1998) or failure of aircraft systems - at low level and high speed there is little time to react to any problem.
• Mid-air collision with light aircraft (e.g. Norfolk, 1974) or other military aircraft.
• Bird strike.

The noise can also disturb animals and hence cause a hazard to horse-riders etc.^{[Note 1]}

By country

United Kingdom

Low flying Tornado near Grasmere, UK

In the UK, low flying means fixed-wing aircraft at less than 2000 feet from the ground or light propeller driven aircraft and helicopters below 500 feet from the ground.^[2]

Low flying is permitted across the majority of the UK except for large urban areas, civil airports and some industrial and medical sites. Fixed-wing aircraft can fly down to 250 ft above ground level at a speed of up to 450 kt. Lower height limits apply for helicopters and in certain parts of mid Wales, Northern England and Northern Scotland, designated Tactical Training Areas.^[3]

For safety and to minimise disturbance to the public, military aircrew training at low level is constrained by rules. A specialist military police unit conducts covert monitoring using mobile radar and investigates alleged infringements.^[4]

See also

• Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS)
• Controlled flight into terrain
• Lists of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft
• Military operations area
• Military training route

Notes

References