ANZAC Day Brisbane: Flyovers banned over coronavirus concern

A group of southeast Queensland pilots have been told they can't undertake their usual flyovers for ANZAC Day because of the coronavirus pandemic, despite calls it would boost morale for ageing veterans.

A GROUP of southeast Queensland pilots have been told they can't undertake their usual flyovers for ANZAC Day because of the coronavirus pandemic, despite calls it would boost morale for ageing veterans.

David Crowe, from the Warbirds Group at Caboolture Aerodrome, had his request for an exemption to fly overhead several RSLs knocked back by authorities.

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Mr Crowe, an ex-air force pilot who’s also flown for Qantas, asked whether he and his three colleagues could fly separate planes, from separate hangars.

The pilots would be the only people in the WWII-era planes and promised to social distance if needed while on the tarmac.

Broadwater MP David Crisafulli yesterday wrote to Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young urging her to review her decision, claiming there was no risk to the men or the public.

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But Dr Young would not sway from the decision, instead referring to Queensland Health’s support for tomorrow’s Light the Dawn initiative so the state could continue its proud tradition of honouring the nation’s servicemen and women.

David Crowe of the Warbird Group in Caboolture with Broadwater MP David Crisafulli. Photo: SUPPLIED

“Sadly, many of the people we are paying tribute to are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19,” she said.

“These people have protected us and now it’s our turn to protect them.”

Mr Crowe said given there would be no gatherings on Saturday, having their usual presence in the sky would be good for morale.

"This may be their (veterans) last ANZAC Day,” he said.

"They won't have this moment and it's a very important moment to them."

Mr Crowe said while some of the pilots would need to leave their local areas, they could easily social distance and wouldn’t be closer than 50ft in the air.

The group, which has undertaken the commemoration since 2005, wanted to fly over various locations including Samford Valley, Caboolture, Kedron, Pine Rivers, Nambour and Bribie Island.

In his letter, Mr Crisafulli said the refusal was incomprehensible.

“I can assure you the distance between the general public on the ground and the pilots in the sky will exceed 1.5 metres,” he wrote.

Originally published as ANZAC Day Brisbane: Flyovers banned over coronavirus concern