Half Of Britain's Air Shows Could Be Banned

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) could ban more than half of the UK's annual air shows after many of the organisers refused to sign up to new rules.

Following last year's Shoreham Air Disaster, in which 11 people died, reforms on safety, risk assessment enhancements, training and pilot checks were introduced.

The CAA has also increased inspection fees from £2,695 to around £20,000.

Speaking to The Times, the deputy chairman of the British Air Display Association, George Bacon said: "We agree with many of the changes. The angst is about the pace of change so close to the start of the new season."

"There is also angst about the charges, but that's a separate issue."

CAA boss Andrew Haines told Forces TV: “We understand that people care passionately about air shows and we want all events to be a success, but we are also very clear that we will not compromise on safety."

"Enhancing the safety of air shows is essential and events that do not comply with the safety measures we are introducing simply won’t be able to go ahead."

“We welcome the opportunity to address with air show organisers any questions or concerns they have around their planned activity for 2016, but safety must be the priority and we are committed to doing all that we can to make air shows even safer in the years to come.”

Unless an agreement can be reached the aviation watchdog could withhold licences for hundreds of air displays scheduled to take place later this year.

"The CAA firmly believes that these changes are essential to ensure air shows are even safer for the millions of people who attend them each year. Unless the new requirements are met, the regulator will be unable to permit the shows to take place."

READ: Shoreham Disaster Pilot Revealed To Have Been Involved In Previous Incident 

A preliminary report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch into the Shoreham crash has revealed that the pilot Andy Hill was just 200ft above the ground when he began the manoeuvre which he failed to pull out of.

An experienced former RAF instructor and commerical airline pilot, Mr Hill's licence only permitted him to perform stunts at a minimum height of 500ft.

Having survived the Hawker Hunter crash, which killed a number of motorists and spectators, Andy Hill was finally well enough to be interviewed by police in December, four months after the tragedy.

A pre-inquest hearing into the accident is set to begin on March the 22nd.

MORE: Shoreham Air Show Disaster: The Facts