RAF C17s

[Hartington]

I've seen reports of RAF C17s doing touch and gos at Luton and Southend. In both cases local "normals" seem surprised suggesting this is unusal. Is it unusual?

[DaveReidUK]

I've seen reports of RAF C17s doing touch and gos at Luton and Southend. In both cases local "normals" seem surprised suggesting this is unusal. Is it unusual?


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/465x476/zz171_4971abc6cfeb42cbad31156775a7c38388c932f1.jpg

[wiggy]

Apparently Manchester has been visited as well..

[trim it out]

I’d say it’s fairly abnormal for a military aircraft to get the opportunity to bash the circuit at busy commercial airports.

I grew up down the road from Luton and had plenty of old friends asking what was going on including videos to “prove” they weren’t pulling my leg and there really was a ‘Herc’ circling Luton so it was abnormal enough for ‘normies’ to notice.

[Ex Cargo Clown]

Definitely Manchester, did three circuits and appeared to be doing a procedural approach as the outbound leg was bang on down the 05 outbound track, wasn't your normal vectored approach.

[rustyflyer]

A few pictures here

https://www.pprune.org/airlines-airports-routes/599775-manchester-2-a-195.html#post10744532

Russ

[Hartington]

The obvious follow up questions is............. Why?!

[SpringHeeledJack]

Most likely getting familiar with various airports and their arrival/departure characteristics as part of the govts contingency planning if this virus business should get notably worse.

[Hartington]

I was hoping someone actually knew.

[PDR1]

I was hoping someone actually knew.

Someone did.

So we had to shoot him.

PDR

[DaveReidUK]

I was hoping someone actually knew.

Let me try to help.

In both cases local "normals" seem surprised suggesting this is unusal. Is it unusual?

Yes, they definitely meant unusual - unusal isn't a word.

[PDR1]

Yes, they definitely meant unusual - unusal isn't a word.


Yes it is - it means "to remove any resemblance to the Kwisatz Haderach" - to de-dib one's muab, if I may slip into the vernacular.

PDR

[trim it out]

I was hoping someone actually knew.
I’m sure the friendly folks at Brize media and communications team will be able to satisfy your thirst for information.

[email protected]

[treadigraph]

A C-17 has been entertaining the locals at Exeter and Birmingham this afternoon. Occasionally noticed A400s doing circuits at St Mawgan and imagine it's handy to have the opportunity to do so away from Brize which I imagine is fairly busy anyway, and so demonstrates a little good neighbourliness, particularly in the case of the A400 which make quite a lot of din when they pass over here at 30000' and I should think all the more so when getting airborne from Brize.

[PDR1]

particularly in the case of the A400 which make quite a lot of din when they pass over here at 30000'

Can you really hear them when they're at FL300? That's what I call LOUD!

PDR

[bobward]

It's not that uncommon to have C17's do ILS approaches at Norwich as well.
We've also had A400's and, very rarely F35's , Tornadoes and Hawks have done the same.
Could it be that,due to the reduction in military airfields they do this to make sure hey are familiar with potential diversion airfields?

[BirdmanBerry]

A C-17 has been entertaining the locals at Exeter and Birmingham this afternoon. Occasionally noticed A400s doing circuits at St Mawgan and imagine it's handy to have the opportunity to do so away from Brize which I imagine is fairly busy anyway, and so demonstrates a little good neighbourliness, particularly in the case of the A400 which make quite a lot of din when they pass over here at 30000' and I should think all the more so when getting airborne from Brize.

The Brize A400's are often using Staverton for approach practice, quite a lot this week too really low over town. A few shots a friend took.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1130/img_2672_9cf94c8cf7c0389fe9d3cd1ea8cb9719395d27ce.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1658x939/img_2671_d7f27ce07c2f10b47e4b00f8bbfd7e6a398c2f68.jpg

[treadigraph]

A400 doing a bit of circuit bashing at Bournemouth now.

Can you really hear them when they're at FL300? That's what I call LOUD!

Friend in Worthing had one overfly outbound Brize at around 30000' this morning - he said it was very noisy.

I had a Turkish example overfly me earlier at about 27000' also outbound Brize - the noisy bit is relatively brief as it passes overhead and almost gives the impression of resonance. On occasions it is quite harsh on the ears.

Still rather quieter than the incredible An-22 though which really does rattle one's fillings, even at 30000' plus.

[Martin the Martian]

Get a couple droning over west Cornwall daily, approx FL300. They are very distinctive and quite noisy -and always welcome for it.:ok:

[paulc]

Wish something would do circuits at Southampton. Its very quiet since Flybe went under.

[Airbanda]

Leeds has had both C17 and A400 do practice approaches before the current Covid19 issues started. They've used Birmingham regularly but not frequently for casualty evacuations during Afghan/Iraq operations.

[pax britanica]

One overflew my area heading about 110 degrees -Camberley/Sandhurst yesterday very distinctive noise compared to the C130 steady thrumming noise .

Seemed to vanish off FR 25 5 n=minutes later although it was over head me at FL270. They could come and play at LHR all day if the almost complete absence of LHR traffic is anything to go by which adds to the general air of stillness and boredom

[Airbanda]

One overflew my area heading about 110 degrees -Camberley/Sandhurst yesterday very distinctive noise compared to the C130 steady thrumming noise .

The noise is utterly distinctive. They route over here 2-3 times a day around FL100 going in or out of Brize towards N Sea or mainland Europe. I presume FL100 keeps them, in normal times, above BHX or EMA inbounds and below traffic routing north out of the London TMA or from Med etc sunspots usually in general direction of Trent>Pole Hill.

Not usually visible on FR24 but ADS-B exchange shows then up nicely.

[caiman27]

Two Qatar C17s just departed Stansted heading west.

[dixi188]

Used to see two Qatar C17s at Milan Malpensa once a month in about 2011/12.
They were picking up Italian super cars.
I wonder what they are collecting from the USA.

[KelvinD]

An RAF C17 just now passed over my house at around 1700 ft. Although the engines sounded obviously "heavy" they weren't particularly noisy. What was unusual was the destination; RAF Odiham. Seems to have originated in Cyprus. Perhaps a "Here's your broken Chinook. Get it fixed" mission?

[DaveReidUK]

An RAF C17 just now passed over my house at around 1700 ft. Although the engines sounded obviously "heavy" they weren't particularly noisy.

I think the noisy references started when the thread got hijacked and posters started talking about the A400. :O

[hgsherpa]

Was any activity of this sort seen/heard at Exeter yesterday? Friends of mine in the area, close to the airport, said there was something big and heavy circling around but they weren't able to give any details.

[KelvinD]

Dave: Thanks for that. I had to wonder yesterday when a BA 787 passed fairly close overhead my place and despite it being a lot higher, it was a lot more noisy than the C17!

[TEEEJ]

An RAF C17 just now passed over my house at around 1700 ft. Although the engines sounded obviously "heavy" they weren't particularly noisy. What was unusual was the destination; RAF Odiham. Seems to have originated in Cyprus. Perhaps a "Here's your broken Chinook. Get it fixed" mission?

The RAF C-17s into RAF Odiham have been airlifting Chinooks that have been on exercise. The flights came in from Akrotiri, Cyprus.

https://twitter.com/RAF_Odiham/status/1248980541996707841

https://twitter.com/RafPhotog/status/1248602248218902528

[SpringHeeledJack]

Another Qatari C17 heading from STN westwards yesterday and today a Kuwait AF steed heading over the UK NW presently.

[treadigraph]

Canuck C-17 just bustled past my place at altitude...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x342/c17_de97bbb340f2514ddcba4103ed37faf9dff9455b.jpg

[SpringHeeledJack]

The advantage of not going near the pub in the present times is having steady hands ;-)

[treadigraph]

Four weeks since I last had alcohol! With that amount of digital zoom on my Olympus, just breathing makes it hard to stay framed - the trail makes it easy to pick up again!

Edit: USAF C-17 belted south past me a little while ago out of Mildenhall, just noticed it. Quite rare over my manor, the USAF C-17s & C-5s inbound Germany give Belgium a wide berth...???

[pax britanica]

Going back to the big Airbus Atlas any one know where the distinctive noise comes from-I would guess its the unusual propeller shape but there is probably more to it than that??

[treadigraph]

Eight blades and also the inboard and outboard engines counter rotate, maybe those both affect the acoustics? Quite a distinctive whistle when throttled back in the descent as well.

[Gulf4uk]

HI

177705 CFC 4003 CC-177 Globemaster III (C-17A) Landed Belfast i was told

[SpringHeeledJack]

Two Qatar Amiri Flight C17's, one after the other floated in over LHR into STN earlier this morning, (before 8am).

[Gulf4uk]

Very early movements

A7-MAP Boeing C-17A Globemaster III C/N F-279 Qatar Emiri Air Force

A7-MAN Boeing C-17A Globemaster III C\N F-275 Qatar Emiri Air Force

[treadigraph]

HI

177705 CFC 4003 CC-177 Globemaster III (C-17A) Landed Belfast i was told

That's the one - it did go into Belfast - Canadian A310s and C-17s seem to use Belfast for tech stops...

[treadigraph]

Bahrain Defence Force C-130 just overflew, either out of Mildenhall or Cambridge... tried for a pic, couldn't get the damn camera to focus. Bloody automated technology! :}

[SpringHeeledJack]

Another Qatari C-17 currently floating into STN in the empty skies.

[Gulf4uk]

The third different Serial This week

A7-MAC C\N5250 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III

[SpringHeeledJack]

All coming from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Perhaps someone bringing their belongings back home ? Or maybe medical supplies ?

[treadigraph]

Nice to see an RAF Herc low level over Purley/Kenley from the west this evening - looks like he did a touch and go at Biggin; we had a nice view of him cranking round after the T&G, I wondered for a second if he'd do a "Mach Loop" down the Godstone Road valley; another turn over Biggin then back over us and westwards back to Brize - he is still doing circuits there now! A little treat...

[Dockwell]

Passed over Farnborough at around 2k both ways, great site as you say :-)

[treadigraph]

C-17 looking like it's going to nip into Gatwick...

A full stop on 08L - following a go around at Yeovilton and a touch and go at Hurn.

[KelvinD]

Beat me to it! It does seem to have landed at Gatwick, having arrived there via the most circuitous route. (Chippenham, Bournemouth, Portsmouth)

[treadigraph]

RAF 146 on approach now... coming in from Edinburgh...

C-17 on the move again, looks like it will be off shortly.

[SpringHeeledJack]

A Kuwait AF C-17 has just arrived at STN after coming in relatively low over SE England. He was at 16,000ft at the coast and under 5,000 by the Thames.

[treadigraph]

Had a peer out of my bedroom window as I can usually see the eastern end of the Biggin stack from there and reckoned he might be visible, but he must have been below 10000' by then...

[Gulf4uk]

For those interested in the Serial KAF342 - Boeing C-17A Globemaster III - KAF3229 C\S

[Gulf4uk]

KAF342 - Boeing C-17A Globemaster III Noted leaving UK Via the South coast arround 1925z 2025 uklocal

[treadigraph]

Funnily enough I was walking back down the hill and noticed it was outbound - got a nice view of it this time!

[Ant]

ZZ178 From Belgrade arrived Northolt 2210z 28 April.
Is it common for RAF C-17 to visit Northolt? Would have expected Brize Norton.

[QWERTY9]

I've seen reports of RAF C17s doing touch and gos at Luton and Southend. In both cases local "normals" seem surprised suggesting this is unusal. Is it unusual?

The current situation is the perfect opportunity for the RAF crews to familiarise themselves with civil approach procedures, different routings, different types of approaches, particularly LCY which will carry out steeper approaches. It is not unheard of, but certainly not a common site. It's a great opportunity for training 'outside the box' for when it's needed it other climates.

Same thing is happening in NYC with C17s/KC10s using LGA.

[Gulf4uk]

RAF Brize Nortan every day there UK only flights put on TW------ER Where these flights are taking place and type. They make it plane that it is nothing to do with the Virus
yesterday there were flights in Scotland and north of England..

[treadigraph]

RAF C-17 just came over me at 7000' and is going in to.... wait for it! Looking like Northolt... Yep.

[Gulf4uk]

In the westcountry arround Newquay and exeter today

ZZ176 RRR803 was In the swest area to 1530 and a A400 Is now in the area now c17 has left ZM402 Over newquay at 1550

[Gulf4uk]

03/05/2020

C17 177703 CFC4004 Passed through South UK Arround 1035 to 45 at the coast

[critter592]

About an hour ago, I spotted ZZ177 flying over my home town. It performed a few touch-and-goes at EGNX before heading south. As I write this post, FR24 is tracking it near Cheltenham.

[treadigraph]

C-17 ZZ178 just sailed over me (Sarf Croydonia) at 8000', looks like it's inbound Odiham ex Akrotiri.

Edit: still at 7000' approaching Boscombe, overflown Odiham, Yeovilton...? ooh the excitement! :p. Ah, descending and currently on a downwind for 05 at Boscombe. Think I might be bored and putting off the painting...

Incidentally, there is a Lear 25 N304VS operating out of Boscombe - I've noticed it frolicking in the area several times, anyone know what it does?

Another Boscombe oddity, ETP88 has just taken off which ADSB says is B757 G-BIKX, apparently scrapped at Madrid last year...

[DaveReidUK]

Another Boscombe oddity, ETP88 has just taken off which ADSB says is B757 G-BIKX, apparently scrapped at Madrid last year...

Strictly speaking, ADS-B doesn't identify aircraft by type or registration, you need an external resource to determine what aircraft corresponds to the 24-bit address that ADS-B/Mode S is sending.

As in this case, that isn't infallible - what you're seeing, if you haven't already twigged, is QinetiQ's Boscombe-baased RJ70 which appears to have developed a duff transponder in the last few days and is sending the 757's ICAO24 address instead of its own (they differ by only 1 bit).

Some background on the Learjet's mission: In-Flight Simulation Capabilities (https://www.calspan.com/services/aircraft-operation/flight-testing/inflight-simulation/)

[treadigraph]

Thanks for the info Dave, sorry for the confusion, by ADSB I meant the ADS-B Exchange site rather than the kit in the aeroplane!

Certainly interesting to see a Lear 25 about, they must be otherwise very rare in Europe I'd imagine. Incidentally, I noticed a Swedish AF Sabreliner heading in and out of Boscombe a couple of weeks ago, another rare bird these days. Always had a soft spot for them...

[wub]

A C-17 just went over my house at 2000ft and is now flying down the east cost of England at the same height.

[treadigraph]

Another just passed me at 6000' looks like inbound Northolt...

[treadigraph]

See a A400 droned past me at around 6000' while I was still in my pit at 8.30am - it's done a touch and go at Gatwick, a low level trundle round Jersey and Guernsey and now stooging around down near the wave tops just off Plymouth.

[wub]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1590x1290/screenshot_2020_05_15_at_13_06_10_copy_37de73f59c04509cbc770 8fd5ac0912fb73b0697.jpg
Watched this one going round Glasgow
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x492/c17_c68c5a53cc3743c445394ee6e6f4d81cd50baaa7.jpg
Then it flew over my house

[SpringHeeledJack]

An RAF C-17 flew in from Akrotiri to Brize this morning, normal enough except it flew up the Thames Estuary at 7,000ft following the LHR arrivals route and then carried on until Oxford at the same height. An unusual occurrence, but I suppose that in these times it's the new normal :-)

[Gulf4uk]

Things certainly Different , Lasham resumed Gliding yesterday . EGLK Blackbushe reopens tuesday

[Gulf4uk]

Things are opening up again Lasham resumed Gliding Yesterday and Blackbushe reopens 4 Days a week from Tuesday to Saturday
Farnborough yesterday was like a Normal Saturday movements .

[treadigraph]

An RAF C-17 flew in from Akrotiri to Brize this morning, normal enough except it flew up the Thames Estuary at 7,000ft following the LHR arrivals route and then carried on until Oxford at the same height. An unusual occurrence, but I suppose that in these times it's the new normal :-)

Noticed one the other day which came in from Baltic parts I think. It dropped down to lowish level over NE Norfolk and stooged around a bit, then transited across to Brize, and stooged around a bit more before landing. I wondered if perhaps it was bringing back paratroopers who chose to terminate their flight with a tactical drop in to a range or something!

[Gulf4uk]

3 C17 Transits this morning Southbound to the coast

17705 CFC 4001 Around 1030

17701 cfc 3493 Around 1045

KAF342 KAF3207 1135

[treadigraph]

I noticed the two Canucks which passed me by, missed the Kuwaiti! Plus the usual Reach flights - still irks me that USAF C-17s and C-5s nearly always route well to the north of London and give Belgium a wide berth! In days gone by C-5s and C-141s inbound Europe piled straight over Croydon en route Dover and "Koksy"

[treadigraph]

Kuwaiti C-17 has just gone into Newcastle.

[treadigraph]

Bangladesh AF C-130J just overflew out of Cambridge - not an everyday sight - not that I could see it anyway!

[SpringHeeledJack]

Yes I heard that as well, the soft, yet pervasive tone from the engines filled the gap in aural entertainment in-between LHR arrivals and the dustmen doing their thing. It seems to have both a civil registration and military (USAF style) serial number.

[treadigraph]

I'd assumed it was USAF out of Mildenhall, otherwise I might have looked a bit harder - I was just going to try my ultra digital zoom skills...

[DaveReidUK]

I'd assumed it was USAF out of Mildenhall, otherwise I might have looked a bit harder - I was just going to try my ultra digital zoom skills...

Ex-RAF Hercules C.5

[treadigraph]

Thanks Dave, so not quite as exotic as it seemed! Delivery ex-Marshalls?

[treadigraph]

First C-5 I've seen in a while, usual Compton - Clacton routing then SE towards Rotterdam. Can't see that routing so easily from my house, need to trim the sycamores at the back! Bloody weeds...

[treadigraph]

An Atlas has enjoyed a right old lowish level tour of the Welsh Mountains, Lake District, a touch and go at Prestwick and the Islands and Highlands with a run up the Great Glen this morning. Returning down to Brize at higher level.

[Gulf4uk]

02 c17 Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) Pápa Air Base in Pápa, . was in and out Of Farnborough this morning (05.06)