Sonic Boom's Over West Yorkshire UK

[nokia]

Tonight approx 2100UTC (2200UK Local) Two Sonic Booms overhead this area. Aircraft Noise heard but going distant very fast. Many people out on the street as it was a really odd experience and 'felt' like the house 'moved'. I kid you not , I am an experienced aviation person and know this was rather unusual to say the least.

[BHenderson]

Speculating, but that could be the aircraft performing an escort into Newcastle, EGNT. They're still floating about as I type.

Someone with armchair mode S might have a better picture.

[Rhino power]

QRA launch from Coningsby to intercept/escort AF1558 into NCL, lost comms...

[highflyer40]

Friends all over what's app in Leeds saying people out in streets and car alarms going off

Seems very unusual to be going so low over a city super sonic?

[Airbubba]

Some Twitter updates in the link below:


2 May 2016 at 10:20pm

Typhoon fighter jet creates sonic boom across the region

A sonic boom has been heard over various parts of the region after a typhoon jet flew over Leeds-Bradford airport.

A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves created by an object traveling through the air faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate enormous amounts of sound energy, sounding much like an explosion.

An unofficial twitter account which monitors activity at RAF Coningsby says it believes the bangs were caused by typhoon jets.

Typhoon fighter jet creates sonic boom across the region | Calendar - ITV News (http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2016-05-02/typhoon-fighter-jet-creates-sonic-boom-across-the-region/)

[cwatters]

Deleted - Airbubba beat me to it.

[fireflybob]

Reports on social media saying intercept on AF1558 en route CDG - NCL due loss of Comms.

Tea and no biscuits, mon ami?

[Joe_K]

Is it me or is AF1558's flightpath a bit odd? Heading towards the sea after Leeds, instead of towards Newcastle?

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/af1558/#9976d61

[fireflybob]

Is it me or is AF1558's flightpath a bit odd? Heading towards the sea after Leeds, instead of towards Newcastle?

Maybe "under orders" being steered away from centres of population?

[Suzeman]

Is it me or is AF1558's flightpath a bit odd? Heading towards the sea after Leeds, instead of towards Newcastle?


I wonder if the 90 degree right turn over Harrogate was where the interception took place and thereafter the flight path was as advised by the Typhoons?

[highflyer40]

Authority to go supersonic for lost comms? Really!

Someone needs to rethink what is "exceptional circumstances"

[Airbubba]

I wasn't familiar with the term QRA and ran across this excellent television piece on the mission:

https://youtu.be/3hijzP1zzLI

Many of us know what's it's like to sit a short call reserve assignment. ;)

[Wycombe]

Tanker also up currently (drawing circles in the sky off Yorks coast), no doubt related.

[PDR1]

Authority to go supersonic for lost comms? Really!

Someone needs to rethink what is "exceptional circumstances"

"Lost Comms" is one of the identified attack profiles for a hijacked aeroplane on a suicide mission. If you ever feel you want some company while flying on a lonely nigh just enter UK controlled airspace with no comms. You'll get a couple of instant buddies with a brace of white missiles to chat with...

[Dct_Mopas]

We heard the commotion on 121.5 this evening.

The AF1558 was repeatedly called on the guard frequency, with no response. The aircraft was then ordered to turn right heading east three times. They then responded, turned and so that was that. At no point did they mention about being intercepted, but they were in contact with a London frequency by this point.

[Farrell]

Yup.

"Air France xxxx, if you can hear me…..etc etc"

No drama.

[paully]

Well done to the RAF ..it also sends out a message to er , those who need to know , just how quick our fast pointy wooshy things get up there..if it sets off your car alarm or wakes the neighbours dog up, then it's a small price to pay...be grateful we have it

[fireflybob]

Jet noise (and presumably sonic booms) - the sound of freedom!

The sound of freedom (http://toringamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Sound-of-Freedom_3.jpg)

[Capn Bloggs]

Authority to go supersonic for lost comms? Really!

If you're trying to catch somebody doing 0.8, you'll have to go a bit faster.

[safelife]

I once flew a Citation X across northern germany, was asked by Maastricht if we would agree to be intercepted for training purposes.
Sure we were. Flying at FL470 with Mach 0.92 at that time.
Like 15, 20 minutes later we noticed no interception still, and inquired with ATC.
Reply: they couldn't get you, too high, too fast, you were already way past them and they couldn't go past Mach .95 without risking a supersonic boom from some parts of their planes...

[Capn Bloggs]

...was asked by Maastricht if we would agree to be intercepted for training purposes. Sure we were. Flying at FL470 with Mach 0.92 at that time.
"Go ahead, give it your best shot!". :D

[RightHandMan]

I don't think the RJ would have caused them any problems. :}

Heard the commotion as well, I personally always monitor guard, but I know many who turn it down or off especially over the UK. Constant chatter with practice and location fixes etc. I know there's no better way to train than to do, but it becomes a massive distraction. Why not assign a freq for practicing?

[WHBM]

"Lost Comms" is one of the identified attack profiles for a hijacked aeroplane on a suicide mission. If you ever feel you want some company while flying on a lonely night just enter UK controlled airspace with no comms. You'll get a couple of instant buddies with a brace of white missiles to chat with...
I know it's all very exciting for those involved, and possible gets the station a picture in the national press, but really - Lost Comms has happened an infinite number of times compared to any mythical "suicide mission", besides which I can't think of any of the small handful that have occurred which gave enough time for any response to be effective. This applies particularly to an aircraft just following its filed flight plan. Whatever happened to a realistic Risk Assessment ?

[fireflybob]

Whatever happened to a realistic Risk Assessment ?

I think you will find it already exists. I understand each instance of loss of comms is evaluated in real time along with current threat state and many other factors before deciding whether to launch the interceptors.

[MATELO]

Must be more to this than just lost comms.

[HeartyMeatballs]

Well there was more than enough time to scramble and intercept the 9-11 jets. They were either in the wrong are, sent in the wrong direction or wasting time getting approval to take the necessary action.

The RAF did exactly what they should be and that this protecting the country. This is how you keep people safe, not bombing the Middle East to within an inch of its life. Having jets ready, armed and with the appropriate authority to do what's needed is far safer.

I do wonder what went wrong. Lots of frequency changes as you head north, the requirement to descend early to be FL280 by a certain point. Switching to Scottish. Not to mention the sound of others on frequency.

[notapilot15]

This is not the first time loss of comm and fighter jet intercept.

I have a feeling in post MH370 world supersonic intercept will be a norm if plane heading out to open seas, assuming country has quick/rapid action force and mid-air refueling capabilities. If I recall similar incident happened over France last year.

Even though MH370 presumed to crisscross the nation and almost over an airbase, they couldn't intercept because it had very few active all weather, mid air refuel capable fighter jets, and they were on the other side of the country.

Why so much media coverage. Contemplating between Brexit preparedness (or) Gripen vs Typhoon marketing.

[Koan]

Tea no bikkies with the DFO? (The sans biscuit?)

[RB311]

If the rj85 in question was doing .80 to .84 then that is a serious cause for concern!

[WHBM]

Tea and no biscuits, mon ami?
Although an Air France flight number, this flight is actually operated by our old friends from London City, CityJet, with an RJ85. Aircraft EI-RJC on the flight in question, I believe. Well, I presume the RAF never got close enough to report the airline livery. And it was dark by then as well.

[Tech Guy]

I wasn't familiar with the term QRA and ran across this excellent television piece on the mission:

https://youtu.be/3hijzP1zzLI

Excellent - thanks.

[Airbubba]

"The 'Q' in 'QRA' does not stand for 'Quiet'!"


Just give it time and maybe it will. I'm sure there will soon be a demand for an analysis of how many carbon credits were used by the interceptors and questions of who will plant the trees for each mission to compensate.

Years ago there were charted VFR low level military training routes in the U.S. that had the designation 'Oil Burner'. The Arab oil embargo in 1973 came along and the media activists (embedded as journalists) highlighted these OB routes as an example of environmental and economic insensitivity by the mean uncaring Pentagon war machine.

To assuage the desires of these 'whistleblowers' the training routes were renamed Olive Branch Routes. Nobody could oppose peace, right? :rolleyes:

Military Jet Noise - The Sound of Freedom. :ok:

[Pontius Navigator]

Royal Flights have one of the highest air traffic priorities with their own airspace zone. There is one higher, guess which one.

[ShyTorque]

"The 'Q' in 'QRA' does not stand for 'Quiet'!"

You'd think the RAF would fit silencers to stop those sonic booms.

[lomapaseo]

The problem is, that the visit is not mandatory, hence it is unlikely to happen.

They are called throttles :)

[douglasheld]

Royal Flights have one of the highest air traffic priorities with their own airspace zone. There is one higher, guess which one.

Category A?

[AI23B]

Too close to Fylingdales? - no comms - scramble QRA SOP

[wiggy]

The UK's a bit small and the Fylingdales restricted area is even smaller, and embedded in the open FIR. Plenty of stuff goes around it at medium/low level and even over it at high level every day.

I suspect if QRA scrambled for every single non-communicating aircraft that got near the restricted area they'd be kept somewhat busy.

It's even rumoured that over the years more than one solo student, slightly uncertain of position may have got a bit closer than they should done....

[skyman01]

Authority to go supersonic for lost comms? Really!

Someone needs to rethink what is "exceptional circumstances"

Loss of communications is one of the first indicators that an aircraft is not "compliant" and may have been interfered with.....as in 9/11.

[G-CPTN]

Is there much documented history about the negative effects of sonic booms?

[Granite City Express]

It was all due to a UFO coming out of the North Sea (http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/index2035.htm)


I read it on the internet, it must be true....

[etudiant]

If indeed a D notice was issued regarding this event, that would be interesting.
Afaik, they are not used casually.

[Abelard]

"Is there much documented history about the negative effects of sonic booms?"

The USAF boomed Oklahoma City eight times a day for six months in 1964 to test that. Over a hundred windows were broken, and public displeasure contributed to the cancellation of the SST program.

[TEEEJ]

Etudiant,

It is the mad cap world of an internet hoaxer known as Sorcha Faal. He/She simply picks a news story and spins it.

From the Yorkshire Post

No local media organisations were issued with any such notice.

SONIC BOOM: Conspiracy website says drama was start of WW3 as UFO shot down after rising from sea - Yorkshire Post (http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/sonic-boom-conspiracy-website-says-drama-was-start-of-ww3-as-ufo-shot-down-after-rising-from-sea-1-7892923)

These newspapers denied (in virtually identical articles[42][43]) that the British government had issued a Defense Advisory Notice prohibiting their publishing the facts of this event that Faal had alleged

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorcha_Faal_reports

[crippen]

I wondered if the Airforce pilots enjoyed their trip.?:O

[G0ULI]

Every time there is a thunderstorm there are sonic booms from the lightning strikes. Anyone would think no one had ever heard a sonic boom before the way people carry on. I suppose it is unexpected coming from a cloudless sky, but so do lightning strikes sometimes.

[Stu666]

Is there much documented history about the negative effects of sonic booms?


According to this, the overpressure of supersonic aircraft past and present is nowhere near enough to cause human injury, and damage to structures is rare, give or take the odd shattered window.

NASA - NASA Dryden Fact Sheet - Sonic Booms (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-016-DFRC_prt.htm)

[Coochycool]

Some Pruners may also find this of interest....

Stumbled across the aircraft preserved in Florida not far from the Kennedy Space Centre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaped_Sonic_Boom_Demonstration

[PDR1]

Is there much documented history about the negative effects of sonic booms?

Well there's this... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwI0P7AV7DE)

Has to me at least an "oops!", if not an "oh lummy!".

[StreetHippo]

Jets did indeed get close enough to VID the jet, and escorted it safely into Newcastle, tanker was launched as per SOP, to support FJ's and had a thoroughly miserable time as there was no tea onboard. Apparently.