PA23 overhead Gatwick area, nights

[Aero Mad]

Having heard the buzz of a piston engined aircraft repeatedly (on each occasion - flying in lines) in the small hours of a couple of mornings a week for the last three weeks it seems from Flightradar24 that a Piper PA23 Aztec F-BVTP does indeed fly as such. It seems to fly out of Southend, come down to Gatters and fly in these lines. Repeatedly.

Tracking is irregular but it can be heard at this very moment, just east of East Grinstead at about 2000ft. What is it up to?

Flightradar24.com - Live flight tracker! (http://www.flightradar24.com/FBVTP/484775f)

[Aero Mad]

I should mention that it seems to fly consistently south of the 08R/26L extended centre-line (though in a similar direction) so doesn't appear to be doing ILS calibration etc. - unless I'm wrong

[DaveReidUK]

so doesn't appear to be doing ILS calibration etc. - unless I'm wrong No, you're not wrong.

I don't know what the mission is, but the aircraft is equipped for "aerial data acquisition" (photographic and LIDAR), not for navaids calibration.

See Home - Imao (http://www.imao-fr.com/en/)

[SpringHeeledJack]

Perhaps a geosurvey that cannot be flown due to traffic reasons during the day time ? Either that or it's baguette smuggling ;)


SHJ

[KelvinD]

Aerial survey using Lidar (laser). It belongs to the French company IMAO.
Home - Imao (http://www.imao-fr.com/en/)

[FantomZorbin]

Is this a similar task to that of JUNGLE21? A different a/c, I know, but sounds like the same erratic tracks.