Low flying military aircraft

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rvw

Guru
Location
Amersham
My mother-in-law lives high up in one of the areas with rules. Over the years she's often seen planes which breach them.
And, just to confirm the anti-social bit, the neighbours' small boy (3-ish, IIRC) used to have full scale screaming hysterics every time they came over, and take ages to calm down again. Since that could be several times a day, several days a week, that was far from funny for his poor parents.
 

welsh dragon

Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
There are rules that they should abide by, IE they should not fly below 200 feet, however there are times when they are allowed to do just that. It depends on the circumstances and the type of training they are doing.

If they are going to be flying at night, or if they may be flying lower than normal, an announcement is usually placed in the local newspaper. My understanding is that they are allowed to do this on x number of days a year.

The fact is, they have to go somewhere to carry out these manoeuvres, they try to go to the best, least populated areas that they can. You can't plesse everyone all the time so the saying goes. Personally I don't think they are that bad, in fact I enjoy seeing them. Some people won't and don't however.
 

Spinney

Bimbleur extraordinaire
Location
Back up north
I have enough of an unreformed Y chromosome within me to identify with the visceral pleasure expressed in most of these posts ...
I don't have a Y chromosome at all, and I get visceral pleasure out of one or more screaming overhead. Which is why I went into engineering and worked with the things for 10 years...

When I lived in Carnforth, they often flew past the house (not particularly low) on their way to low level routes through the Lake District. Must get to an air show this year...

I get absolutely no visceral pleasure at all from a low-flying jet. It's an ugly and antisocial expression of military might and a reminder that the RAF still asserts absolute control over some of the more peaceful corners of this country.

Reported quote from an old chap somewhere near Hadrian's Wall, when asked if the jets bothered him.
"Were they ours?"
"Yes."
"Then what's the problem?"
 

screenman

Squire
And, just to confirm the anti-social bit, the neighbours' small boy (3-ish, IIRC) used to have full scale screaming hysterics every time they came over, and take ages to calm down again. Since that could be several times a day, several days a week, that was far from funny for his poor parents.
This made me laugh, sorry it just did. The RAF anti social, give them an ASBO. Personally I am happy they are there to protect our country.
 

screenman

Squire
Height distance from the house to the base of the valley is less than the legal minimum. So when you can look down on the plane as it flies through the valley, it's breaching the rules.
Only if it has not been notified first, one day you may be grateful that they had the practise. Sorry but it sounds like nimbyism from here.
 
I remember a few years back we were walking around Lake Buttermere and a Tornado came over the hill at the end of it and shot across the lake at pretty much 50 ft (may have been more but is seemed VERY low...) fantastic but the noise made me jump so high I nearly hit it......
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
This is the best aircraft pic I've seen for years. Look at the decompression mist and the glow of the head-up display. Amazing.

1130381.jpg
 

Mr Celine

Discordian
The fact is, they have to go somewhere to carry out these manoeuvres, they try to go to the best, least populated areas that they can.

Well if anyone tries to invade the Borders, the Highlands, Northumbria or the Welsh Mountains the RAF will be well prepared!!

Shouldn't they practice flying over that London or other cities they might have to defend?
 
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