CRUNCH decisions are about to be made on the future of flight paths for trainee RAF pilots learning their craft in the skies above the Vale of York.

Members of the ruling cabinet at Hambleton District Council Cabinet will meet on Tuesday to make a key judgment on a 12-month trial of flying routes for RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Councillors decided to trial new circuits last April to bring a fairer geographic spread for the noise caused by Tucano trainer aircraft from the base.

Since 1995, planes had been directed to the north, north-west and south of the base. The trial meant nearly half the flights were moved to the east and south - angering residents in Linton and Newton-on-Ouse, who called for a return to the original circuits.

Councillors are being advised to approve circuits similar to those currently on trial, with one exception - aircraft using runway 28 will change direction. This will ensure no aircraft flies over Newton-on-Ouse, which has been subjected to noise disturbance from the runway being used for prolonged periods.

Newton resident Richard Pulleyn reluctantly welcomed the proposal, but still favours a return to the original circuits. He said: "It is a step in the right direction. But it still leaves one circuit flying over Linton. I would urge the council to rethink that. It is better for Newton, but it could go further."

He said the original circuits flew over fewer people and were the "ideal" solution. "That's why the RAF picked it to start with."

He added: "It is a contentious issue. We have come a long way and there's been a lot of consultation. I think views have certainly been aired - it isn't an easy problem to resolve as it affects a lot of people."

Members of a new protest group - Safety And Fairness Alliance (SAFA) - also favour the original circuits, claiming the new circuits bring greater risk.

However, residents in Aldwark, along with villagers in Alne, have complained persistently about aircraft noise since 1995 and feel they have shouldered the brunt of the noise.

The trial means Aldwark village will not be flown over, but it will be subjected to more noise disturbance from aircraft using runway 28.

Hambleton council leader Arthur Barker said: "We have given this a thorough trial. Any decision we make can be seen to have a sound basis. I fully realise that there are no perfect circuits for that area. That is the quandary we have been in from day one. But we have run the trial for 12 months and I am sure we can recommend something that can have wide support."

A motion by Shipton-by-Beningbrough ward councillor Molly Haigh will be considered before the debate. It calls for flying circuit changes at RAF Linton to be considered by the whole council, rather than just Cabinet members.

Parishes affected will be consulted, and a recommendation will go to RAF Linton-on-Ouse about the council's preferred option.

The meeting follows a tour of the airbase in January by Hambleton and Harrogate councillors to see how flying operations are carried out.

The trial has also triggered the formation of a new liaison group, bringing together parish and district councils with officials from RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Updated: 09:28 Saturday, March 12, 2005