Aircraft Vertical Separation Question
Hi,
I normally post on Military Aircrew, however the question I have is more appropriate for here, I think. Hope I am correct.
I was flying back from a city in Sothern Germany yesterday when I spotted another aircraft (an A320 I think) flying forward of us and to our left. Being a spotter I went to reach for my camera. However, almost immediately, the aircraft passed directly over the top of us at an angle of about 90 degrees. I would suggest that the aircraft was approximately 100 – 150 feet above us. There were audible gasps from many of the passengers that witnessed the event.
Having spent 30 years in the RAF and due to the nature of my work and holidays etc, I have been flying hundreds of times. However, I have never seen anything pass that close.
The aircraft was initially clearly visible (to us the passengers) due to a lovely blue sky and the contrails of the other aircraft. The question that I have is this:
With today’s technology and sophisticated ATC methods is it now the normal for aircraft to pass, vertically, that close??
Thanks