'Red baron' driving us all plane crazy!

A mystery daredevil pilot who has been practicing a perilous stunt routine near Pershore has been driving some residents to distraction.

The red and white biplane, thought to be a Pitts Special, has recently been seen practicing loop-the-loops, barrel rolls and stall turns in the sky, high above Throckmorton airfield and the surrounding area.

But some people have been finding the noisy stunts unbearable and it has prompted a flurry of letters to the Journal.

The identity of the eye-catching performer is unknown but it is thought that the person is local.

Gary Robinson, of Wyre Piddle, said the noise was disturbing his peace when he was in his garden and he had complained to Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

“Every time there’s a nice day or clear weekend, that’s when you hear it,” he said.

“It just drives you mad. It really does. Whoever is doing it I suspect lives in the area.

They are doing loop-the-loops, going up and down at very excessive speeds. It just drives you insane.”

A Fladbury resident said: “I’ve seen it many times. My daughter lives in Middle Littleton and she’s heard it too.

“It goes right up and that’s what causes the noise, the acceleration of the engine.

It’s a nuisance. These people have got no consideration about how much noise they are making.”

But Wychavon district councilor Charles Tucker, who lives in Throckmorton, said: “It makes an awful lot of noise but what you see is spectacular. He does it over the airfield and does loop-the-loops and flying upside down.”

Wyre Piddle resident Nigel Wood, who is a pilot in his spare time, said: “It’s been going for at least 18 months.

He does a full routine.

“It’s quite nice to see. I’m quite happy if I’m gardening to break off for five minutes to have a free air display.

Likewise, I would image that some people would find it intrusive.” A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said: “If it’s in an open area it has to be 500ft away from the nearest vehicle, vessel, structure or person.

“If an aircraft is taking off from outside a controlled airspace – not near any major airports or major airways – they don’t have to tell anyone where they are going.”

    Do you know the identity of the mystery daredevil? Get in touch with the Freya Leng on 01905 742383 or fl@eveshamjournal.

Source:   http://www.tewkesburyadmag.co.uk