Angela Whalley (40), from Kintessack, claims that she narrowly escaped an accident after her horse was "scared to death" by a low flying and noisy formation of five jets which flew overhead when she was in Culbin Forest, before turning on their afterburners and coming back the same way, lining up to land at the nearby RAF base.

"I am glad that we have an RAF base here and appreciate the work they do," she said, "but this issue of low flying has to be addressed, because it is only going to get worse with more jets coming to Kinloss in the future."

Mrs Whalley said that she was left shaking after the incident, which happened on January 29, and that her horse was terrified, suffering signs of stress some days afterwards.

"I about turned and managed to get straight home afterwards," she said.

"I was shaking. I am used to aircraft flying overhead, but the noise was deafening, and they seemed so low."

She said that it was bad enough when you get one or two aircraft, but she thinks that five was "out of order".

She phoned RAF Kinloss after the incident, but felt that the person on the other end of the phone wasn't really interested in what she had to say.

"I told her what had happened," she said.

"I felt like I was being fobbed off. She said she was sorry if my horse had been spooked.

"I told her that a horse could spook at a plastic bag and I'm used to that, but he was basically scared to death. It's a wonder I didn't have an accident. I could feel his legs going from underneath me."

She received a letter from RAF Kinloss following her complaint, which left her in little doubt that although the public could complain about the issue, they would probably just have to put up with it.

She also received information about current and future exercises, about which she was already aware, but felt that there was very little interest on the part of the RAF to listen to what she had to say about the long-term effects on the local community of low flying, which prompted her to contact the "Forres Gazette" about the issue.

"I know we have to expect noise, but it is going to be a problem," she said.

"I got the impression from the girl I spoke to that she didn't expect me to ride my horse for the six weeks when the exercises are on. Surely that can't be fair, and what about other riders who might be caught in a situation like I was, especially younger riders who might be out in the woods, out of harm's way, and stand a real possibility of having an accident?"

Mrs Whalley said that the issue needs to be addressed long term.

"Are we just supposed not to say anything?" she asked.

"The situation is only going to get worse, and I know there are a lot of visiting aircraft, but surely the situation needs to be looked at."

An RAF spokeswoman confirmed that they had received a complaint from a horse-rider in Culbin Forest.

"The aircraft referred to were a mixed five format, positioning for an approach to land at RAF Kinloss," she said.

"We make every attempt to warn local residents about the exercises in the 'Forres Gazette', in the local community council meetings and by writing to local organisations."

She said although that particular exercise was finished, another exercise got underway on Monday, with helicopters and Tornados expected to participate.

"RAF Kinloss is an operational flying base and NATO crews are operating in volatile and hostile parts of the world," she said.

"These exercises amount to a few weeks per year at RAF Kinloss; the training of aircrew is an important part of the work-up for areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and it is vital that the crews get the opportunity to practise their skills."

Meantime, low flying was also on the agenda of the Findhorn and Kinloss Community Council at their most recent meeting. They have previously complained to RAF Kinloss following concerns raised in the village.

At their last meeting, they asked the community council liaison officer to confirm that the circuit for aircraft keeps them from overflying Kinloss village and the local school.

This follows complaints raised last year by a parent who claimed that Kinloss Primary School was being subjected to unacceptable noise and risk by inconsiderate visiting pilots. He also accused the pilot of one aircraft of buzzing the school.

During the public session of the November meeting, retired air traffic controller Brian Parsons told members that he had safety concerns for the village, and in particular the school, after receiving complaints of jets flying at low level over the school.

Speaking after the meeting, an RAF spokeswoman said that the station orders were clear about low flying, and added that Kinloss school was warned in advance of any exercises taking place on the base.

Findhorn and Kinloss Community Council chairman Rick Walker said that most pilots adhered to good practice, but from time to time it was unavoidable that there would be some noise.

The general feeling was that the issue did not arise with the Nimrod aircraft, which had a larger turning circle and therefore tended to avoid the village, but visiting jets were able to take a shorter circuit inside the existing one, and were flying directly over the village.

Mr Walker said that there was no necessity for this, as all pilots at the base were aware of the flying rules, and visiting pilots would have to sign the flying orders book to state their understanding of the local protocol.

At the last meeting of the community council, which was held at the James Milne Institute in Findhorn, RAF liaison officer John Innes said that there were orders and procedures for low flying which were passed to visiting aircrew.

Not satisfied with the response, Mr Walker asked him to have the station confirm that neither the school nor the village of Kinloss was in the direct flight path.

It is anticipated that air traffic noise will become worse this month due to a large amount of visiting aircraft, including Tornado jets, taking part in an exercise which will involve night flying.

An RAF spokeswoman said that as a rule Nimrods did not overfly the village, but said from time to time there were problems with visiting aircraft.

"RAF Kinloss has regulations in place that are designed to minimise disruption in the local area and, where possible and safe to do so, to avoid over-flight of particularly noise sensitive areas," she said.

"Our orders and procedures are regularly reviewed, and we are content that they remain sufficiently robust to cater for all Kinloss-based flying."

She said Nimrod crews were fully aware of these regulations, and visiting aircrews were thoroughly briefed before their exercise flying starts.

"That said, the extremely close proximity of Kinloss village to the station means there will inevitably be occasions when aircraft will pass close by," she added.

"While we will continue to do all we can in this respect, our regulations and procedures will always be balanced with aircraft safety and the need to train for demanding operational flying."

t.mclaren@forres-gazette.co.uk

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