I READ B Jefferson's letter about the Tucanos of RAF Linton-on-Ouse as "skyhogs" (January 30) with some disbelief.

I too live in Tollerton and, despite the various complaints made down the years about low flying at RAF Linton, I fail to see what these people are complaining about.

Before the introduction of the Tucano the skies reverberated to the sound of Jet Provost aircraft which were far noisier and much more intrusive.

Flying now only takes place between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday so anyone who goes out to work would not be at home to hear them.

Any night flying which takes place - about once every three months - is essential for training purposes and is invariably terminated at midnight, thereby not disturbing anyone's sleep in the early hours.

Anyone coming to live in this area knows there is an RAF training school down the road. If they do not want the aircraft noise all they have to do is seek property elsewhere.

Those of us who have lived here some time should not forget how much noisier the Provosts were and be grateful for the quieter Tucano.

I sometimes wonder if RAF Linton were to fly nothing but gliders would they still receive complaints from certain irate residents because the sun was momentarily blocked out as the aircraft flew silently overhead?

John Ward,

Pinfold Terrace,

Tollerton, York.

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, February 04, 2004