[Lang]

Terry

The Crowd Line is a legal distance (differs in different countries) away from the do-not-cross Display Line. The aircraft have no interest in the Crowd Line all their attention is focused on the Display Line which is always very well marked eg a taxiway, canal, airfield boundary fence or large white panels.

Aircraft may not turn towards or fly over the crowd. Any flight over the crowd can not involve manouevres or be part of a show and is usually a straight line above 1,500 feet such as the arrival of a formation from the rear for effect. Most shows will not allow even this.

Mass loose flypasts are almost impossible to accurately separate horizontally.

It would be very unusual for two groups arriving on different paths to be separated horizontally at the same height. In fact I would go so far as to say never.

One other thing you must remember, particularly with fighters, is these aircraft are often flown by wealthy geriatrics well past their prime. Time and again you can tell from their operation and radio calls they are so far behind the aircraft and what is going on around them that they may as well be still on the ground. They can pass a check ride when nothing stressful is happening, operating in a show with others providing surprises around you is another thing. Nearly all of them have giant egos and don't know when to quit. The bombers on the other hand are also often ancient-mariner piloted but they have the benefit of a second opinion and many extra eyes looking out.

Groups can be very accurately separated vertically and I believe in this case they were and somebody got it wrong.

Lang