Friesland on hind legs for low-flying route F-35
The provincial government is standing on its back legs to bring a low-flying route for F-35s above eastern Friesland to life.
Leeuwarder Courant 30-01-20, 10:30
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The Ministry of Defense wants jet fighters to practice at a height of 75 meters. That saves money, because the pilots now have to go to Canada for similar activities.
Provincial States are preparing a motion. Various groups are trying to get their party members to take action in the Lower House. Politicians feel robbed. They do not think it is a good idea that the Defense organization did not first consult properly.
Sleeping existence
The low-flying route has been dormant for eighteen years. He sails from Moddergat to Kollum, Harkema, Ureterp, Nijeberkoop, Noordwolde-Zuid, Vledder and Steenwijk. Fighter jets may fly at least 75 meters above this line. That is lower than an average windmill. Municipalities are not allowed to allow tall structures on the route.
The Provincial Executive wanted the route to be removed from the books for that reason. After all, it had not been used by Defense since 2002. Kites went to Canada for their low flying training. But like a thunderbolt in a clear sky, the ministry came with the message that it wants to reactivate the route. The Ministry of Defense reports this in the application for a new environmental permit for military flight activities.
The members of Parliament were informed on Wednesday about the flight plans. "Skande", states States member Sijbe Knol (FNP). The party has started a petition and will submit a motion at the next States meeting. The support for this turned out to be massive on Wednesday; PvdA, Party for the Animals, ChristenUnie, GrienLinks, D66 and Forum for Democracy, among others, asked critical questions. ,, And no: noise yn De Haach. It is just oars. "
"Low flying is a skill that a kite must practice"
The ministry had sent Jelle Zijlstra, airspace revision coordinator, to Provinsjehûs for explanation. Defense wants to start the conversation, said Zijlstra. But from a legal point of view, there is little to say against reactivating the low-flying route. He could not tell anything about how and why. ,, There are costs associated with practicing in Canada. I can imagine that the Ministry of Defense says: we prefer to do it in the Netherlands. Low flying is a skill that a kite must practice. That is not possible above the sea, they have to navigate on terrain characteristics. "
Displeasure in letter
The Provincial Executive has expressed their dissatisfaction in a peppery letter to the Ministry. The college is "very surprised" about the intention, it is afraid of noise nuisance and dangerous situations due to the location of Drachten Airport. In addition, there are several quiet areas on the route. She calls the use of the low-flying route "very undesirable".
Directors of Frisian municipalities will be briefed next week. The same applies to provincial administrators from Drenthe and Groningen. At the end of March there is administrative consultation with the responsible State Secretary Barbara Visser (Defense) and Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management).
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