Spitfires' flight changes agreed

Phil Medgett. 

Pictured are Cllr Frederick Scales and Malcolm Triggs at the Battle of Britain Memorial site in Capel.

 WHILST many people are fascinated to see Spitfires flying, some residents in Capel have been not so happy to see the iconic fighter soaring over their homes.

Canterbury firm Action Stations has been offering people the chance to watch and photograph the planes close-up from a helicopter since March.

But the flights have started to concern some residents who voiced fears about the planes flying low over their homes and refuelling in nearby fields.

District councillor Frederick Scales called a meeting with the firm in charge and residents, on Monday, September 26.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Scales said: "We discussed issues such as noise, fuelling and where it was actually flying.

"As a result Action Stations agreed to fly further out to sea to reduce the noise of helicopter blades. They will also not fly directly over the village and instead come along the coast.

"The fuel isn't actually flammable and it is quite safe to fill up in the fields, but the company has agreed no further refuelling will be held in the village.

"It ended very amicably."

Malcolm Triggs, who represented Action Stations, said: "We came out of the meeting with several changes to make people happier. Residents in Capel have been wonderful since we started and the last thing we wanted was to alienate those who are not happy.

"The flight with a spitfire has been very popular and we've had people booking with us from across the world, but we want to make sure everyone is happy."

For more information on the flights visit http://goactionstations.co.uk/

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk