Complaints Handling

In this section:

• How to complain
• Action taken by us
• Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team
• Monitoring
• Skyguard
• Breaches of low flying regulations

We take seriously all concerns about military low flying. All complaints are looked at individually and examined in detail, commensurate with the amount of information provided. We hope that this website answers most of the questions you might have about low flying, but if it doesn’t, then please contact us at MOD Head Office.  In addition, we produce a leaflet about the need for low flying which we generally enclose with replies to the letters we receive on the subject. It is widely available at County Shows and other public events at which the RAF participates. Copies are also available in Welsh.

How to complain

Anyone who is concerned about any aspect of military low flying can register the details with us. Concern may be registered by telephone or in writing to a local Royal Navy, Army Air Corps or RAF flying station; or by telephone, in writing or e-mail to MOD Head Office. Those living in central Wales, southern Scotland or Cumbria and Tynedale may direct their concerns to the relevant Regional Community Relations Officer. A dedicated, 24-hour telephone line (0207-218 6020) at MOD Head Office has existed for many years to handle public enquiries and concerns about military low flying. The MOD switchboard can also connect callers to the MOD Head Office staff who act as the focal point for handling military low flying concerns. However contact is made, we will find it helpful if you have certain details of the activity concerned available, such as the date, time and location, the number of aircraft involved and, if possible, the type, colour and approximate direction of flight.

Action taken by us

This can range from a simple telephone call or letter acknowledgement to an in-depth, formal investigation carried out by the Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team (DFCIT). Depending on the nature of the complaint or enquiry, one or more of the following courses of action might be taken:

• No further action when it has been made clear to us that no response is required or the complainant is satisfied with the telephone explanation given at the time of calling.
• Arrangements made for a personal visit when the staff dealing with the concern judge that such a visit would be helpful and the enquirer agrees. A Community Relations Officer (CRO) from a flying station or a Regional Community Relations Officer will visit at a mutually convenient time; a member of the DFCIT may carry out the task if there is no flying station or RCRO in the area.
• Identification of the aircraft concerned. We endeavour to do this for most of the concerns we receive, but we need information on the date, time and location of the occurrence to be able to do so. We would certainly try to make a positive identification of the aircraft if the activity reported is sufficiently unusual, is reported separately by a number of witnesses, and/or includes evidence that we judge might indicate a breach of low flying regulations.

In all cases, the name and address of the enquirer and details of their concern will be recorded on our database. In addition, copies of correspondence between a complainant and a flying station, a CRO, RCRO or the Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team will be checked by experienced MOD Head Office Staff to ensure that the matter has been handled satisfactorily.

Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team

The DFCIT is comprised of specialist, experienced investigators, who conduct enquiries at a variety of levels to establish whether there has been a breach of the low flying regulations.  The involvement of the DFCIT can range from helping us to trace an aircraft to: a personal visit; checking the details of a claim for compensation; or a detailed investigation as part of which formal statements will be taken from witnesses and the aircrew concerned. The findings of detailed investigations are reported to MOD Head Office, where experienced staff will arrange for a summary to be forwarded to the originator of the complaint.

The DFCIT also carry out surveys of locations being considered for avoidance by low flying military aircraft. In addition, they conduct periodic surveys of individual Low Flying Areas in order to ensure that those locations already listed for avoidance remain appropriate and the details correct, and ascertain whether there are any additional locations which might require avoidance.

Monitoring

Military low flying is subject to stringent regulations, which are strictly enforced. Aircrew are made aware of their responsibilities to the general public and other airspace users when they begin their flying training and this is reinforced throughout their service careers. Their performance is monitored by more experienced officers and senior aircrew to ensure that the highest standards of airmanship are achieved and maintained.

The DFCIT carry out covert surveys of military low flying activity, frequently assisted by a mobile Skyguard air defence radar. Skyguard is able to track aircraft and can take recordings of the height and speed of aircraft.  It is deployed up to twelve times each year around the country in order to chect that aircrew are adhering to low flying regulations.  The decision where to deploy Skyguard is taken by the Low Flying complaints and Enquiries unit (which is part of the MOD Head Office) in consultation with the DFCIT and is usually sent to areas of the country or specific locations judged to be causing public concern.

When the area to be monitored is agreed, DFCIT personnel undertake a reconnaissance of the area in order to determine appropriate locations and the radar is then deployed.  This is done without notification to military airspace users or UK military bases in order to make the monitoring as effective as possible. 

Since 2004 Skyguard has been deployed in the low flying monitoring role as follows:

2004

2005

Last Updated: 1 Dec 05