Jeremy Clarkson, well-known for his role in the series "Clarkson's Farm," recently took to social media to express his discontent regarding noise from a private aircraft flying in the Evenlode Valley, nearby Chipping Norton. The television presenter shared a screenshot of the flight path on Instagram with his 8.9 million followers, captioning it provocatively: "Fit it with a f*g silencer."
The aircraft in question, a Pitts S-2A Special registered as G-BADZ, took off around 11.52 am and circled the valley for approximately ten minutes before landing in Oxford a mere 13 minutes later. The noise generated by the flight was reportedly audible from Clarkson's residence at the Diddly Squat farm and likely from nearby locations, including a local farm shop.
The incident has drawn attention not only for Clarkson's reaction but also for the irony noted by comment sections on social media. Many users highlighted the contrast between Clarkson's past as a presenter of high-performance cars, which are typically known for their loud engines, and his current complaints about recreational aviation noise. One user remarked, "Made a career out of reviewing high-performance sports cars, dislikes high-performance sport airplanes flying over his property," while another commented, "Man drives the loudest cars forever. Retires and complains about noise."
Despite the humorous undertones, there were also expressions of sympathy for Clarkson, with one commenter joking that the next series of "Clarkson's Farm" might involve him seeking planning permission for an anti-aircraft gun in response to the aerial disturbances.
This incident highlights ongoing discussions about noise pollution and the impact of private aviation in rural areas, a subject that is increasingly relevant as communities balance the interests of aviation enthusiasts and local residents seeking tranquillity. The Oxford Times reports that conversations around similar issues have arisen previously, signalling a broader concern about the implications of such recreational activities on local quality of life.
Source: Noah Wire Services