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View Full Version : Gulf Air hero averts mid-air Iraq collision


SiberianLion
2nd Oct 2006, 13:39
I don't understand why they don't just say that the pilot was Captain Paul Reid. He's an amazing guy and very funny!!


Gulf Air hero averts mid-air Iraq collision
MANAMA
MANAMA: The quick thinking and skill of a Gulf Air captain avoided a mid-air collision with a military aircraft over Iraq.

The drama unfolded early on Saturday morning as Gulf Air's flight to London with 156 passengers on board was crossing Iraqi airspace, said an airline spokesman.

Radar and the plane's hi-tech sensors revealed that an object was hurtling towards it. The captain was forced to change both route and altitude suddenly to avoid a collision, said the spokesman. He had only 10 seconds to manoeuvre.

"As the airspace over Iraq is controlled by allied forces, this had to be a military aircraft which should not have been flying at that altitude," said the spokesman.

"All our planes are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that will send early warnings to the pilot, enabling him to avoid mid-air collision."
The spokesman praised the captain's skill. "All our pilots are trained in the simulator to cope with such emergencies, but in real life it is another ball game!"

The flight continued to London without any problem.



http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=157443&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29196

Carnage Matey!
2nd Oct 2006, 16:08
In other news, aircraft receives TCAS RA and responds appropriately, the Pope is catholic and a bear sh*t in the woods.

picu
2nd Oct 2006, 16:58
Does Gulf Air fly through Iraqi airspace?

Human Factor
2nd Oct 2006, 17:01
Radar and the plane's hi-tech sensors revealed that an object was hurtling towards it...

This has happened to BA aircraft in the past in a similar neck of the woods. What's the betting the "object" was aeroplane shaped. Also, I was always taught you had three seconds to react to TCAS.:ugh:

Carnage Matey!
2nd Oct 2006, 17:02
Lots of airlines fly through Iraqi airspace and this sort of thing happens relatively regularly.

AfricanSkies
2nd Oct 2006, 17:35
They fly above FL290 which is Class A airspace.
So they get an RA... and get in the paper???? please. Sounds like the first one they've ever had. Our mob average about one every 2 or 3 days. Try 5 RA's in about 8 minutes on one flight into Baghdad. :suspect:

fox niner
2nd Oct 2006, 17:43
mmmmm.....At least they GOT an RA. In Brazilian airspace things seem to be a little different nowadays. Or so the rumour goes.

Jerricho
2nd Oct 2006, 19:12
I'm guessing this is describing a TCAS event, but..........

The captain was forced to change both route and altitude suddenly to avoid a collision

Methinks the spokesman needs to learn just how TCAS works. :rolleyes:

ChicoChico
2nd Oct 2006, 19:20
Gulf Air has obviously hired the former Iraqi Minister of information - got to admire that positive spin put on a near-miss!
CC

discountinvestigator
3rd Oct 2006, 02:18
Well, I got to read a nice letter from a CEO of a well known national air traffic service (provider) which stated that TCAS would tell the pilots to steer left or right to avoid a collision during a resolution advisory.

So maybe it is not just the journos who need to know a bit more. Still, his boss, the Chairman did ask what time ATC closed at night when in a radar centre.

isfahmy1
9th Sep 2011, 06:13
Acctually The First officer of the flight is the one who took the action and not Paul. Just for your information:ok: