How persistent noise complaints led to jet and copter near miss
AN obese health expert who was ashamed of telling diabetic patients to lose weight has now conquered the condition himself thanks to a life-changing TV show – and been congratulated by his footballing hero.
Top radiographer Kevin Jones, 53, from Dinas Dinlle, weighed in at more than 20 stone when S4C’s hit series FFIT Cymru began but by the end he lost 1st 13Ibs and became a lot fitter in the process.
Kevin, who regularly works at Ysbyty Gwynedd, achieved his goal of reversing his own diabetes after completely changing his lifestyle.
The irony was that Kevin helped keep world class sportspeople including members of the British Olympic team in tip top condition while totally unfit himself.
Among the highlights of the series for the father-of-three who supports Everton Football Club was receiving a video message of congratulation from Toffees hero Duncan Ferguson.
The format of the series had to be completely changed as a result of the lockdown.
The show focused on improving the physical health and mental well-being of five
A helicopter ended up in a near miss with an RAF jet after taking a new flightpath to avoid the home of a frequent noise complainer.
The Airbus Juno helicopter, used for RAF training, was being flown to RAF Valley following a mountain exercise when it came close to a Hawk T2 jet which was conducting circuit training at Mona.
According to a report released by the UK Airprox board, which investigates near misses between aircraft, the Juno pilot had deviated from the normal flight route to avoid the home of a frequent noise complainer.
He was flying at 500ft rather than the usual 200ft, and around 400m north of the normal route during the incident, on November 27 last year.
The report said: “The Juno pilot reports that he was recovering visually to RAF Valley following the prescribed helicopter leaders, including former chocoholic Kevin, who is now down to a relatively svelte 18st 7lbs.
While Kevin’s character remains larger than life, he has vowed to continue with his new healthy lifestyle and lose even more weight.
Viewers were engrossed watching Kevin and the others tackle their demons throughout the third series made by Caernarfon-based independent TV company Cwmni Da.
He said: “It really has been life-changing. I was committed recovery route but, in order to remove disturbance to a persistent noise complainer, he deviated slightly to the north, following a ground track approximately 400m right of the published track.
“This procedure had been agreed with RAF Valley through the Media and Communications Officer.
“Being aware of the proximity to RAF Mona, he pointed this out to his student as they had seen and discussed circuit traffic which was displayed on ACAS.
“At this point, the student and crewman called visual on the circuit traffic and neither considered there to be any likelihood of collision.”
The Hawk pilot, however, assessed the risk of collision as “high”.
They said the nature of the at the start seven weeks ago but I didn’t realise how much my life and that of my family would change. It wasn’t just about food or cooking it was about exercise and mental health too.
“But following the food plan by series dietician Sioned Quirke made me aware of what the sugar content of every ingredient was.
“The amazing news is that after seven weeks I’m no longer taking the diabetic drug metformin and that for me is huge, it’s a massive deal. My blood sugar is now in normal manoeuvre they were carrying out meant they spotted the helicopter and discontinued the circuit, but said it “would have been hidden during a normal finals turn, with the Hawk descending onto the helicopter”.
They had previously been carrying out “touchand-go” manoeuvres but due to cloud, reduced their altitude to 500ft to carry out low-level circuits instead.
They also extended the “downward leg” of their approach due to surface wind, giving them the chance to spot the helicopter more quickly.
According to the report, there has been a recent increase in ranges and has been for several weeks.
“My lung function has improved and is now equivalent to a fit 43 year old, my blood pressure is now normal too whereas it was bordering hypertension a few weeks ago.
“But you can’t forget the mental health benefits either. I used to hate the thought of walking but now Pam, my wife and I walk every day with the family. I’ve become aware of the sights and sounds and it’s really therapeutic.”
Kevin, who works in hospitals helicopters flying a particular route back to RAF Valley to avoid the sea as the Juno choppers are not fitted with a life raft. This led to a rise in noise complaints, and so helicopters were told to re-route around a “particularly sensitive site”. This new guidance was not forwarded to air traffic control or other operators at RAF Valley, the report said. The investigators were told that since the incident, low level circuits at Mona have been suspended as they felt safe separation could not be achieved if helicopters were using the new route.
The report said: “This [incident] highlights that even minor around the country using lithotripsy, ultra-sound waves to break up kidney stones without the need for the patient to undergo surgery, says he and his family have taken the positives from the Covid-19 lockdown.
He said: “We have done things together as a family. Our shopping trolley has never been greener.
“We are just seven weeks into what is a lifelong journey thanks to FFIT Cymru. Being part of the show has been amazing.
“My days of chocolate bars and junk food are behind me and when I finally get back to work those long days will be easier.
“I work with diabetic people often and I used to feel like a hypocrite because I had to tell them to lose weight while I am myself was a Type 2 diabetic. I won’t be embarrassed in future.
“I can’t thank the Cwmni Da and the FFIT Cymru team enough. Everyone has been incredible. This was the third series and whoever is chosen for the fourth series is in for a life changing experience.
“Seven weeks ago I’d have laughed if anyone suggested I run 5K, now I’m doing it in less than 30 minutes.” adjustments to published procedures, however well-intentioned, can have unforeseen consequences, especially if they are not communicated to other parties that might be affected.
“Ultimately, although there had only been only approximately 100ft of vertical separation, there was enough lateral separation for there to have been no risk of collision.
“That said, the board concluded that the lateral separation achieved was largely fortuitous because the Juno pilot believed that Mona circuit traffic would be contained entirely within the ATZ [aerodrome traffic zone] and, therefore, safety had been degraded.”
As a result of the incident, all aircrew operating in the area have been given additional education about the flight routes and their proximity to one another. Air traffic control in the area is also producing a procedure to notify traffic when helicopters are active through the area.