Sir – I entirely agree with Dr Ian East (Letters, July 24). Why are there literally no restrictions on the noise from light aircraft once they are in the air?

One or two people overhead in an aeroplane, flying for their own pleasure or convenience, can have an annoying and disturbing impact on thousands or tens of thousands of people on the ground.

This is a completely disproportionate balance of convenience which is neither reasonable nor fair.

Light aircraft should be required to have silencers to at least the same degree as cars. There is no technical difficulty.

Single- and twin-engine planes can be as whisper quiet as the Queen’s motorcycle escorts.

It would make flying more expensive in capital cost and fuel. But that is a cost which should be borne by the fliers, not by the people on the ground.

The same applies to the training aircraft which are such a large part of the light aircraft activity at Kidlington airport.

The cost should be borne by the training companies, not by the long-suffering residents of Woodstock, Islip, Charlbury, Stonesfield and a large number of other small towns, villages, and rural settlements in west Oxfordshire.

Flying is increasing every year.

It is time politicians got to grips with the problems it causes. It could even be an election winner.

Mark Hofman, Charlbury