Shoreham Airshow disaster pilot to ask court for flying licence back

Airshow disaster pilot Andrew Hill whose vintage jet crashed into a busy a-road killing 11 men back in 2015, is due to ask a court for his flying licence back today.

It comes amidst the fury of his victims families who say they will seek to stop the former pilot from regaining his licence, stating he doesn't deserve to fly again. 

Hill, a former British Airways captain, nearly died at the side of the road after the Hawker Hunter he was flying crashed into a fireball on to the A27 in West Sussex. 

He will appear in front of a panel today to say his licence, which is currently suspended, should be reinstated.  

The former pilot suffered serious injuries in the crash, including several broken bones and a collapsed lung, and was placed into an induced coma. 

Relatives of the 11 men said they were furious at the prospect he could fly again.

Caroline Schilt's son Jacob, 23, was killed on his way to football.

Mrs Schilt said: 'We are furious that he even wants his licence back and considering his defence at the trial it is sheer arrogance that he thinks he deserves it.'

Speaking to the BBC, Anthony Mallison, whose father Graham was also killed in the crash, said he was working with other families to prevent future deaths.

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 'We never want to see anything like this happen to any other family,' he said. 

It is believed Hill is applying to have his private and commercial licences returned.

Hill was found not guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of the 11 victims in 2019. But three years later, a coroner found found all 11 men were unlawfully killed following a series of gross errors by the pilot. 

The flying had been exceptionally bad, the coroner said.

Investigations by air experts did not support Hill's claims the crash was caused by a cognitive impairment.

Hill is a Cambridge graduate who was top of the class in the RAF, winning competitions for his flying and being given the military nickname 'The Prof'.

He began studying engineering and then transferred to computer science, graduating with an honours degree in 1985. 

Going straight into the RAF afterwards, he won a competition when flying a Jet Provost and was a top performing student.

Quickly showing his rare ability while training on the Hawk T1 jet, he was selected – or ‘creamed off’ – to be an instructor. He won an RAF competition and became the RAF Linton-on-Ouse display pilot before he was selected to fly Harriers – one of the most difficult jets to master because of their vertical take off and landing capability.

Speaking about the incident when he gave evidence at his trial, he denied having a 'cavalier' attitude, insisting he was known for his safety record.

He has never watched footage that captured the moment of the crash and lowered his head when it was played to jurors.