I think what Hagar, Vodka Burner, and Myself are getting at is,..This may be tradition to the works to show off their work before it goes off. Much like at the end of an Air Show the next day when every thing is leaving, the do a "Thank you for all your help" type thing as they leav. Even though they did not call the base and ask can they do it, but they ask local permission to do one last thing for the works before they go. Is it right? no, but does every one like it? yes, and do they do any thing unsafe? no. But some one who just happen to be their plane spotting, told the parent company that this guy is reckless and showed them the video. **now I don't know if I'll be able to film the practice for our up coming air show, because some one might tell their home base that these pilots are doing stuff before the air show and the restrictions are lifted.**
Now will this tradition of low level fly-bys of departing planes lead to more dangerest stunts? No. But we understand your thinking that if you let it slid it could get worst, and better to nip it in the bud now, before it gets out of hand. But as the Cheif 77 pilot he knows the plane better then any one and would not do any thing out side the scope of performance of the plane.
Now if he had came back doing a fly by with the left wing pointed at the runway and right pointed straight up at the sky, while maintain perfect flight like a fighter, then yes he should get fired, along with the Co-pilot and every one else he trained to keep that from ever happening agine.