Red Arrows Snappers Risking Lives For Photos

The Red Arrows training was stopped due to people standing too close to the runways.

18:18 20 January 2016

The Red Arrows has warned expectators not to “endanger themselves” by standing too close to the runways. On Friday, a pilot was not able to land a plane as people were directly under flight paths at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

 

Red 10 Sqn Mike Ling said that “unnecessary risks” taken by people just to take pictures during Red Arrows training “jeopardise their safety.”

Photographer Claire Hartley, who regularly takes pictures of the Red Arrows at the base, said: "I was on the other end of the runway at the time, but we saw the pilot abort the landing.

 

"We heard people were walking across the direct centreline as they were coming into approach.

"It's quite dangerous and quite worrying.

 

"The jets come in quite low, so it hinders their visibility as they are approaching and the person's safety as well."

 

Mr Ling tweeted the message: "Truly enjoy seeing the photographs that are taken everyday but it has come to the point where people are taking unnecessary risks to get those photographs.

 

"On Friday, Air Traffic Control had to stop our pilots performing circuits as there were people on the centreline of each runway.

 

"People are endangering themselves and others and ATC had no choice but to stop us. Thereby curtailing crucial training for our pilots.

 

"Could we please request that people think sensibly about where to stand in order not to jeopardise their safety and our operations?"