In the only such zone in Bavaria, memories are resurfacing of times when fighter jets regularly thundered over residential areas with a deafening roar.
The roar of jet engines in the 1980s and 90s was part of daily life for residents in Low Flying Area 7 (LFA 7). The Air Force regularly conducted training maneuvers in this territory, which stretches from northern Swabia through the districts of Ansbach and Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen almost to Eichstätt.
High Noise Pollution for Local Residents
The noise back then was a severe ordeal, recall former members of the protest movement against ultra-low-altitude flights. “It was ten minutes of unbearable thunder, then silence, and an hour later it would all start again,” said Friedrich Kugler from Treuchtlingen. Former teacher Waltraud Schuler-Kugler noted that the fighter jets were particularly distressing for children.
Air Force Pilots to Train More Effectively
Since late November, Eurofighter and Tornado aircraft can once again practice maneuvers in LFA zones. This means that fighter jets have the right to descend to a level of 75 meters above the ground for a maximum of two minutes. This innovation will improve tactical training, according to an Air Force press release. Thanks to these new training opportunities, pilots will be better prepared for missions against ground targets. Furthermore, the authority stated that it will enable more realistic target approaches and terrain-following flights.
Limited Hours and Rotating Routes
In response to an inquiry, the Bundeswehr assured that flights would be restricted to the minimum level necessary to complete the assigned tasks. Additionally, aircraft will only take to the skies during specific periods: from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Routes are planned to rotate so as not to place an excessive burden on individual communities, explained a spokesperson for the Bundeswehr Aviation Office.
The exact training schedule remains open, as it depends on factors such as weather conditions, personnel availability, and technical readiness. The Bundeswehr Aviation Office has established a citizen hotline so that the population can contact the military department directly with their questions.
Concerns Over Impact on Tourism
The citizens’ initiative “Enough is Enough” from the Ansbach district, part of which lies within LFA 7, fears negative consequences, particularly for the tourism sector. “The difference from the eighties is that the Franconian Lake District did not exist then, and it is a very important factor for the regional economy,” emphasized Boris-André Meyer of the “Enough is Enough” association.
Whether the burden will be as high as it was 35 years ago is a point where former flight opponents disagree. “I think it will happen somewhat less frequently, as low-altitude flights no longer play the same role as they did during the Cold War. But I am very concerned about the stress on people,” shared Thomas Till from Gunzenhausen. The Air Force Command cannot yet specify exactly how often the fighter jets will appear in the sky.
Source: German Air Force
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