WITH reference to the article “pilot cheats death” (The Press, March 13), I feel a few comments are necessary in order to put some kind of perspective on the same.

Firstly, while sympathising with the injured pilot, we here in Ryedale are only too aware of the many Tucano training aircraft (from RAF Linton-on-Ouse) that on five days a week, several hours a day, practise their dangerous acrobatics over our homes and livelihoods and make our lives a misery with their high levels of noise pollution.

These “training” flights are of course in addition to the problem of low-flying jets from other bases which batter our senses with their particular brand of noise pollution on a regular basis.

If this is the RAF’s idea of training, then somebody somewhere at HQ has got his head screwed on the wrong way.

The situation has been a problem in Ryedale for many years since the over-concentration of training at Linton-on-Ouse in the 1990s.

On many days throughout the year the noise from these “boy racers of the sky” is intolerable, creating stress and frustration for those unlucky enough to be at the receiving end.

Let’s face it, if young men were creating an equivalent amount of noise and nuisance on our roads we’d soon be stamping down on the practice.

From my study of environmental law, it seems that the Ministry of Defence is almost immune from the regulations that the rest of us mere mortals have to abide by.

Considering the nature of the incident referred to in your article, and the potential for more serious incidents occurring in the skies over (and the communities within) Ryedale, I would strongly advise that:

1 Tucano training be reduced.

2 The RAF be made more accountable for its ecological footprint.

3 All aspects of flying/training be more strictly regulated.

H Griffiths
Bulmer, near Malton.