FOLLOWING the tragic accident at Shoreham there is now much focus on air display accident risks.

There have in UK been eleven air display pilot fatalities since 2000.

In the same period, worldwide, 150 display fatalities, including 80 spectators.

What then is most striking in terms of risk is the whole matter of G-force impacts on pilots.

The hugely dangerous part of the display industry that the industry, it seems clear to me, does not want to draw too much attention to.

When a pilot climbs sharply, at very high acceleration, and then loops back round to earth, the pilot is exposed to very high reversing G (gravity) forces. That means blood draining out of the head, then flooding back in. And very similar for pilots on any high acceleration whip centrifugal trajectory.

This is well known in the flying world as G-LOC – G-force induced loss of consciousness.

To quote industry papers: “Excessive sustained G-force drains blood away from the brain causing cerebral hypoxia”.

The pilot loses consciousness and blacks out.

Papers go on to explain, “Recovery is usually prompt but periods of several seconds of disorientation may occur.”

Nonetheless, “If G-LOC occurs at low altitude, this momentary lapse can prove fatal.”

And indeed on the inquiry findings of the Bournemouth 2011 crash this was the conclusion of the Coroner: “A-LOC – almost loss of consciousness due to G-force – was the likely cause of the crash.”

This then is the danger and risk behind the excitement of the displays.

And I think every reason to now put an end to all aerobatics over populated areas.

Richard Wickham

Parkwood Road, Boscombe