From Major I. M. Consiglio AFM

The general public can rest fully assured that all measures were taken to respect safety and not to endanger the concert’s spectators under the overflying helicopter. It was pre-established and fully agreed with the understanding MTV camera-crew that, given the venue’s geography, wind on the day and the nature of the activity itself below, helicopter manoeuvring below certain parameters would not be done.

The flight lasted a mere 25 minutes, and flying time over Floriana was just 20 minutes. On arrival over the area, only clockwise patterns were performed over the Granaries, flying over the Inland Revenue Department premises, the CMP Car Park, St Anne’s Street, and the Congreve Memorial Hall at Island Scouts’ Headquarters. These patterns were done at a safe height from the ground.

The only two instances when the flight was directly above the concert’s audience was when the AFM helicopter hovered sideways from atop the bell towers of St Publius parish church

towards the main stage, and similarly back from the stage towards the church, all the while facing into the wind and in full sight of the Floriana soccer fields, which were predestined for emergency landings.

Ivan M. Consiglio

Staff Officer 2 Public Information

Headquarters

Armed Forces of Malta