Gliders' near-misses with military planes

MILITARY planes and helicopters were among about 40 aircraft involved in midair “near misses” with gliders in the past three years.

- EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES KNUCKEY

The RAF has confirmed 16 of its aircraft had alarming incidents, with an insider “amazed” none of the close-calls resulted in deaths. A safety awareness article, seen by this newspaper, has been shared with military and civilian pilots to encourage them to take “extreme care”.

Gliding clubs near air bases are being invited to safety briefings, while talks have also been held with the US Air Force, which has a major presence in the UK.

The RAF source said: “Some of these near misses over the past three years have been so close that we are amazed there hasn’t been loss of life.

“The thought of either British or American aircraft, with or without bombs and missiles, crashing after a midair collision with a glider is too horrible to contemplate.”