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F-16 low approach, Wadders.

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F-16 low approach, Wadders.

Old 8th Jul 2014, 11:48
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Another MRP open to interpretation - define 'off-site viewing area'. Is that a promulgated/defined site or a random gathering?
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 12:27
  #82 (permalink)  
 
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At the risk of crossing threads...one wonders if the F-16 was using QFE or QNH, or indeed was confused between the two?
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 14:13
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Waterbeach had traffic lights to control the A10(Cambridge to Ely) We operated them from local control.If they were red for more than three minutes a buzzer reminded us.I recall one incident when a double decker bus jumped them and one of our Hunters had to do a quick avoidance.That would have been in 1958.
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 14:59
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The point was well made earlier in the thread that some people have little in the way of common sense. If there isn't a notice saying 'Don't do this...' people think they can.

When in the day job a few years ago I got into a full and frank exchange of views with a senior person on health and safety rules, my point being that we had too many, and people therefore stopped thinking. I tried to illustrate my argument with the following example: Our cooker at home does Not have a sign saying 'do not stick your head inside when the cooker is operating'. Since it doesn't say don't do this, it must mean I can. I suspect argument this stuffed my glittering career......(*)

Anyone with a bit of sense should not stand underneath fast moving objects, yet these idiots do so. People still try to cross railway lines against Stop signals, and pay the price. It's tragic but true.

(* For pedants, career has two meanings. One is a logical well ordered path throiugh life, work etc. The second is to rush about in an unco-ordinated fashion, crashing into things..... which one best describes you?)

Finally, I have my doubts that the waddi people were 'spotters' as such. Waddington is a great place to photograph aircraft, but only from about 100 yards on either side of the landing area.
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 15:16
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That's not a low approach.
THIS is a low one.
(German Transall at Ballenstedt, scheduled final landing to become permanent display a/c there):

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Old 8th Jul 2014, 16:32
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GM - probably my late ex Father in law driving the bus (Littleport-Ely-Cambridge and return). Strangely we had a family in one of our gites a couple of years ago, and the Father drive the same bus route now, and often picks up the former Mrs W, as she does not herself drive, and drives her too or from Cambridge to Ely.

Last edited by Wander00; 8th Jul 2014 at 16:43. Reason: syntax
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 17:54
  #87 (permalink)  
 
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Another angle on that approach! Selfie?

https://mobile.twitter.com/warrenadr...47490997817344
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 18:03
  #88 (permalink)  
 
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That is an awesome photo.

Thanks for posting.
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 21:57
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I was going to point out an obvious mismatch but filsdl...
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Old 8th Jul 2014, 22:13
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Used to love watching and feeling the Jags land at Coltishall on the road round the perimiter fence was the highlight of many a holiday back in the late 70's and early 80's the fire escape nearby was never as much fun.
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Old 12th Jul 2014, 19:09
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Another video of the landing.

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Old 12th Jul 2014, 20:27
  #92 (permalink)  
 
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Soioturk landing

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that landing. I speak with a great deal of experience as a fighter pilot and QFI.


Gz
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Old 12th Jul 2014, 23:16
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Well, it is an "Air" "Show" ain't it? Folks are supposed get a thrill out of watching the antics ain't they? Seems a success all the way round, some thrills, a safe landing, and lots of AH's and other shouts heard and no one hurt!

If one is so terminally stupid as to stand yourself at that particular location while Flight Ops are being conducted, well perhaps it is time to thin the Herd a bit if something goes all ugly.
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Old 13th Jul 2014, 09:52
  #94 (permalink)  
 
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I was at Waddington the day the event occurred but I left after the Vulcan arrived - couldn't be bothered to wait another 40 minutes to see an F-16. Before the Vulcan arrived an E-3 and Sentinel were doing overshoots and rollers, all of which were very impressive from the spot under the approach lights, but of course they were at about 50ft as they crossed the road.

As ever, the Police turned-up and told everyone to move away - which they did. I didn't, and as ever, the coppers admitted that they couldn't make anyone move, it was just advice. I pointed-out that I'd been standing there on and off since the 1980s, so I was aware of the risk and I was willing to take my chances.

I think that's fair enough. What I don't understand is why there is no sign that informs people of the risks. Surely, a simple sign could be erected that states the danger and that anyone standing there does so at their own risk. Obviously, even the lowest approach is safe, and it is rare that there is any true danger (I can't remember how long ago it was when a Starfighter actually hit the fence, but we're talking decades). The key problem is that most people don't even realise the potential danger and are therefore unprepared to do anything about it if they need to.

I was astonished to see one person actually standing on a stepladder right under the approach lights on the road side. Okay, he still wasn't nearly high enough to be at risk but he would obviously be in no position to make a swift exit if an aircraft really did come in way too low. Why would one need to be on a ladder in any case? Bizarre!

I suspect the whole issue will be resolved during the runway reconstruction. I heard dark rumours a long time ago about that stretch of the A15 being diverted or even closed (using the parallel road instead). I doubt if there's enough money to do this but I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of arrangements were made to simply keep people away from the area.

Although it smacks of "spoilsportism" I can see how frustrating it must be for the coppers, when people still dump their cars on the roadside, even though there's a dedicated car park. The A15 is a very busy road and some of the people you see there just act like idiots, throwing themselves into the road and running about as if it's Alton Towers. I don't think the police or the RAF will be happy until the whole area is cleansed of enthusiasts. Still, the way things are now with no show and no aircraft worth seeing, I doubt if many people are going to be standing there any more, so maybe the problem is solved by proxy!
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Old 13th Jul 2014, 13:24
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"I was astonished to see one person actually standing on a stepladder right under the approach lights on the road side. Okay, he still wasn't nearly high enough to be at risk but he would obviously be in no position to make a swift exit if an aircraft really did come in way too low. Why would one need to be on a ladder in any case? Bizarre!"

A few years ago, on arrivals day, the Police had to move a nutter who was on a step ladder in the middle of the A15 - lorries passing either side! They asked that the RAF prevent the spotters from leaving the viewing enclosure once they had parked up, to which we pointed out that we were not a prisoner of war camp and physically could not stop them. The next year we did not issue pass outs, but the spotters were always prepared to park their cars in the enclosure for a fiver, walk out of the enclosure to stand under the approach, then pay another pound to pick up their car at the end of the day.
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