Fly-past bid falls foul of air rules

The Hull branch of the Royal Air Forces’ Association wanted the aircraft to fly over Paragon Square on Battle of Britain Sunday, September 18, when it will unveil a memorial to RAF servicemen and women.

But although the Association had started raising funds for the fly-past, which would cost £2,750, the CAA has informed them it could not sanction the flight – as single-engine civilian-registered aircraft are not allowed to fly over city centres.

Association spokesman Ian Russell said: “They said they will let it fly up the Humber but not over the town.

“We are very disappointed but there’s not a lot to do about it. We have to accept it but we had built ourselves up and a lot of people had heard about it and were pleased.”

The branch is still hoping for a good attendance at the unveiling, which will feature a service of dedication by the Bishop of Hull.

It will be the first time the RAF has had its own memorial at the site, which honours the armed services and is the focal point of the city’s commemorations on Remembrance Sunday.

The memorial consists of a light grey granite ledger standing on a Portland stone plinth.

Its inscription reads: “In friendship and in service one to another we are pledged to keep alive the memory of those of all nations who died in the Royal Air Force and in the Air Forces of the Commonwealth.

“In their name we give ourselves to this noble cause. Proudly and thankfully we will remember them.”