Guernsey Air Display - Wednesday 10 September, 6.30-8pm
He has called for drone users to not fly during the event.
The popular free display over the east coast is set to return at the start of September, with an evening display for the first time. But there are worries.
Mr Neal has warned of the ‘potential catastrophic outcome’ drone flying could have on the display, from possible collisions with participating aircraft to postponement and even cancellation of the display.
Drone operators would be liable to prosecution.
‘The legal permission I receive from the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation to run the display requires me to suspend the display if there is any drone activity in the vicinity of the display – anywhere in the Bailiwick – and for me to refer the matter to the police,’ he said.
‘Only once we are all satisfied that the drone activity has stopped, can I allow the display to continue.’
The display faced drone disruption as recently as 2023, when a man from the UK was fined £4,500 and had his drone permanently confiscated by the Magistrate’s Court for flying it in the display area above the harbour during the event.
Mr Neal said that particular incident was dealt with quickly, and meant the display did not have to be suspended for long.
However, he warned lengthy stoppages because of drone activity could put individual displays, including that of the Red Arrows, at risk.
‘Practically, [a suspension] means that whoever is flying in the display must suspend their display immediately and hold off until we can confirm the situation.
‘These things take time to be resolved and time is something that we do not have in abundance for the display.’
‘What if a drone appears during the Red Arrows display? We would be pretty much guaranteed to lose the rest of their display and, let’s face it, for many they are the highlight of the whole display.’
The display is required to finish by 8pm to allow for the re-opening of the airport to commercial traffic.
That is also when the block of restricted airspace – which is put in place for the display – finishes.
‘The display cannot be held with an open airport,’ Mr Neal said.
A Hawker Hurricane, a Jett Pitts piloted by Rich Goodwin, an RAF Typhoon and the Airborne Pyrotechnics team are among the aircraft expected to join the Red Arrows for this year’s display.
‘The Typhoon doesn’t usually do weekday displays as it’s operational, so it was a pleasant surprise being able to get it and we are really looking forward to having it come over,’ Mr Neal said.
‘We’re also hopeful the sky will be dark enough for the pyrotechnic team to be really visible.
‘Either way they will put on a great show.’
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