RAF launches hi-viz clothing campaign

The RAF has launched a hi-viz clothing campaign in Shropshire, to prevent accidents caused by horses spooking at low-flying aircraft.

Be Seen, Be Safer

The Be Seen, Be Safer campaign, which has the support of the British Horse Society (BHS), is calling for riders to wear hi-viz clothing making them more visible to helicopter aircrew.

“Low flying is essential in reducing the risk to helicopters, as we have to train to fly in extremely demanding environments, whether these tasks are in support of peace-keeping, war-fighting or humanitarian relief,” said Alastair Smith, station commander at RAF Shawbury. “This training does sometimes bring our aircrew into contact with riders.”

Trials run held in 2003, in conjunction with the BHS, showed how effectivehi-viz clothing is in reducing the risk to horse riders.

‘Impossible to see’

“We are delighted to be working with RAF Shawbury once again,” said Sheila Hardy, BHS senior executive of the safety department. “If there is one message I would like to reinforce, it is the need for horses and their riders to be more easily seen by wearing high visibility attire. High visibility is not just for riding on the roads, but every time you go out.”

According to station flight safety officer Gary James it can be difficult to spot riders because horses and darkcolouredclothing often blend into the background.

“Against awood line, a cropped field or a stone wall, for example, it can be almost impossible to see the rider until the aircraft is less than a few hundredmetres away,” he said. “By wearing an item of hi-vizwhile on horseback, the rider gives the pilot a far greater chance of seeing them”.

Engage with riders

As part of their safety campaign, the RAF recently attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show in a bid to engage with the horse riding community – and understand the effect their work has on rider safety. They also wanted to communicate to riders what the RAF does and the constraints they face when flying. Watch their video interview with Jenny Rudall above.

The RAF has released a leaflet to go with the campaign and more information about low-flying aircraft and safety for horse riders can also be found on here.