View Full Version : QRA Sonic Boom
They don’t seem to make them as loud as they used too.....
https://news.sky.com/story/sonic-boom-after-raf-jets-sent-to-intercept-private-plane-12185918
Sonic boom after RAF jets scrambled to intercept private plane
G-ARZG
12th Jan 2021, 14:05
Is this the culprit? D-AFAL
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/920x2000/screenshot_20210112_150503_com_flightradar24free_cc91ec55e88 44115205e17c38a3c4d8c57ffb8d8.jpg
Hot 'n' High
12th Jan 2021, 14:34
They don’t seem to make them as loud as they used too.....
Recall doing a RAS (Ammo) in the South West Approaches one Summers evening. Then, unknown to all, a Concorde decided to do its accel out into the Atlantic heading off to the States..........
That is NOT what you want to hear during a RAS (Ammo)!!!!!!! If the Concorde crew could have seen the looks on our faces bobbing about on our "war canoe" 50,000+ ft below them.......... :ok:
caiman27
12th Jan 2021, 14:48
They don’t seem to make them as loud as they used too.....
https://news.sky.com/story/sonic-boom-after-raf-jets-sent-to-intercept-private-plane-12185918
Sonic boom after RAF jets scrambled to intercept private plane
It was loud enough here. Windows duly rattled. But we are getting used to them - second one this year.
chopper2004
12th Jan 2021, 15:05
Heard it over here in Cambridge earlier ..and RTb
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x720/27ddb4a1_9657_4e12_883a_f3268e81788a_78042b3d4d28a976ed3b0c6 082bda8a7c77338f7.jpeg
cheers
Tashengurt
12th Jan 2021, 15:19
Is this more common or is it just a social media thing?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9138503/Millions-hear-sonic-boom-RAF-Typhoon-breaks-sound-barrier.html
Bombardier Global Express D-AFAL
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/634x200/image_8d42ea0a092560257ad4c127465e9752a23c3e3e.jpeg
treadigraph
12th Jan 2021, 18:13
Are those ripples in the paintwork down to the shockwave?
Non Linear Gear
12th Jan 2021, 18:26
Question is, What was it doing flying into UK airspace without a known flight plan or communications with ATC? I hope the owners get billed the cost of the QRA shout. Travel into this country is essential work only, not leisure. If it is not for business reasons inside the government restrictions.
Rt Hon Jim Hacker MP
12th Jan 2021, 19:34
That is one shocking paint scheme. Good to see the Brits intercepting the Germans again.
Herod
12th Jan 2021, 20:30
Good to see the Brits intercepting the Germans again.
Just an old habit. :ok:
air pig
12th Jan 2021, 22:09
Question is, What was it doing flying into UK airspace without a known flight plan or communications with ATC? I hope the owners get billed the cost of the QRA shout. Travel into this country is essential work only, not leisure. If it is not for business reasons inside the government restrictions.
They will be billed according to a pilot colleague as one day we were flying a fixed wing aeromedical flight from Europe to the UK, he called me up to the front and said a well known airline had an aircraft with two Typhoons sat off their wings some miles ahead and it was going to cost the airline a lot of money unless it was a system failure. Knowing the airline it was probably the pilots who were going to be paying and I suspect a short sharp interview with the CAA.
Caboclo
12th Jan 2021, 22:15
I rather like the paint scheme. I wonder if I should apply for the newly opened position?
Apparently mocking journalistic standards today is too easy to even bother with anymore.
Non Linear Gear
12th Jan 2021, 23:02
They will be billed according to a pilot colleague as one day we were flying a fixed wing aeromedical flight from Europe to the UK, he called me up to the front and said a well known airline had an aircraft with two Typhoons sat off their wings some miles ahead and it was going to cost the airline a lot of money unless it was a system failure. Knowing the airline it was probably the pilots who were going to be paying and I suspect a short sharp interview with the CAA.
Hope the passengers, if no essential travel pay for it. They paid the bucks and likely told the pilots so. If not essential, they should get a flea in the ear too.
NutLoose
13th Jan 2021, 02:11
I just hope he didn’t have any ham sandwiches on board, or he’ll really be in it.
TBM-Legend
13th Jan 2021, 07:10
Question is, What was it doing flying into UK airspace without a known flight plan or communications with ATC? I hope the owners get billed the cost of the QRA shout. Travel into this country is essential work only, not leisure. If it is not for business reasons inside the government restrictions.
Nothing unusual here. In 1940 they came into UK airspace without lodging a flight plan or checking in with ATC!
LeftBlank
13th Jan 2021, 08:05
Question is, What was it doing flying into UK airspace without a known flight plan or communications with ATC? I hope the owners get billed the cost of the QRA shout. Travel into this country is essential work only, not leisure. If it is not for business reasons inside the government restrictions.
The aircraft would have been on an IFR Flight Plan and would have been talking to ATC. From the info released so far it looks like an equipment problem (or finger trouble) leading to a prolonged loss of communication. If ATC can’t get hold of the crew using all means then an intercept in these circumstances is standard procedure.
Chris Kebab
13th Jan 2021, 09:16
If it was a box problem it was fixed pretty sharpish. It was on the ground at Stansted less than 90 mins, did a short hop over to Birmingham for a hour (presumably to pick up the original intended pax) and then legged it directly to Barbados! Nice for some...
wiggy
13th Jan 2021, 09:37
Question is, What was it doing flying into UK airspace without a known flight plan or communications with ATC? I hope the owners get billed the cost of the QRA shout. Travel into this country is essential work only, not leisure. If it is not for business reasons inside the government restrictions.
Do we have a credible source for "no known flight plan? It may be in one of the MSM links upthread and I've missed it but all I've read points to this being a loss of comms... as LeftBlank says " it looks like an equipment problem (or finger trouble) leading to a prolonged loss of communication."
Null Orifice
13th Jan 2021, 09:59
Another example of 'confused' journalism. Re the Daily Mail story - Learjet? or Global Express?.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9138503/Millions-hear-sonic-boom-RAF-Typhoon-breaks-sound-barrier.html
Imagegear
13th Jan 2021, 10:21
From what I read earlier, the handoff from Belgium (Eurocontrol) disappeared into the ether as they crossed the North Sea.
The plane was apparently a private aircraft from Nuremberg, Germany, according to flight trackers.
The RAF has since released a statement, saying: “QRA Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost communications; subsequently, communications were re-established, the aircraft was intercepted and safely escorted to Stansted Airport.
IG
treadigraph
13th Jan 2021, 10:34
Null Orifice, I think you'll find the type was a Garbled ExpressJet and they have an inclusive extraview with David Learjet of Fright International...
peterperfect
13th Jan 2021, 10:37
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9138503/Millions-hear-sonic-boom-RAF-Typhoon-breaks-sound-barrier.html
Bombardier Global Express D-AFAL
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/634x200/image_8d42ea0a092560257ad4c127465e9752a23c3e3e.jpeg
Looks like a Samoan tattoo artist's impression of the wartime Dazzle camouflage used on ships.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/575x600/575px_hms_argus_1917__a4532914b3b19e53f7286ff9fe8c2daf2b0d86 0c.jpg
NutLoose
13th Jan 2021, 11:04
This is the bizjet scheme I like, how cool is that!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x630/n5uu_9ff56029f1fd9043da33b061e52eb76e4cc3bec1.jpg
Non Linear Gear
13th Jan 2021, 14:28
The aircraft would have been on an IFR Flight Plan and would have been talking to ATC. From the info released so far it looks like an equipment problem (or finger trouble) leading to a prolonged loss of communication. If ATC can’t get hold of the crew using all means then an intercept in these circumstances is standard procedure.
Didn't change squawk code then. Cheers, I thought it was totally unannouced. Of course any break in comms is a shout. 9/11 taught everyone that.
OldLurker
13th Jan 2021, 15:40
FAI Completes Stand-Out Project Pearl Global Express Refurbishment (https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/press-release/21142547/fai-fai-completes-standout-project-pearl-global-express-refurbishment)
Hirer to interceptors: "Do you know who I am?"
Non Linear Gear
13th Jan 2021, 18:26
I hope the hirer that flew out of the UK on the aircraft was actually allowed to do so by the current coronavirus travel restrictions. If whom were, then that is fine. If not they should pay for the QRA shout. If they can afford to rent a Global Express, they can afford to.
Stitchbitch
14th Jan 2021, 06:43
This is the bizjet scheme I like, how cool is that!
Almost as cool as the previous owners two Spitfires, although he may have sold up.
tmmorris
14th Jan 2021, 08:17
Hope the passengers, if no essential travel pay for it. They paid the bucks and likely told the pilots so. If not essential, they should get a flea in the ear too.
I'm sure visiting your tax lawyer in Barbados is essential work...
Vzlet
14th Jan 2021, 09:39
Nothing that would make a sonic boom, but his hangar contains many nice things!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vzlet/15373624302/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vzlet/15203108418/in/photostream/
SLF posting, if I may.
I thought standard procedure was to send two Typhoons up - but only one this time? Any idea why?
Nimmer
15th Jan 2021, 14:55
There were 2 typhoons.
toratoratora
15th Jan 2021, 14:56
I'm sure visiting your tax lawyer in Barbados is essential work...
Nah- that would be BVI, Bahamas or Caymans!
toratoratora
15th Jan 2021, 14:57
There were 2 typhoons.
Only saw the one contrail (live near to M11)-unless they were in close?
Only saw the one contrail (live near to M11)-unless they were in close?
Same here - one boom, one contrail, and only one aircraft on the screenshots of the tracking site...
Herod
15th Jan 2021, 19:42
Same here - one boom, one contrail, and only one aircraft on the screenshots of the tracking site...
That proves the stealth version works
That proves the stealth version works
Hah!
I'm not so sure now - the official RAF response referred to aircraft (plural).
DuncanDoenitz
16th Jan 2021, 09:24
Same here - one boom, one contrail, and only one aircraft on the screenshots of the tracking site...
Lots of military/security situations have 2 parties operating in cooperation; one that the antagonist (and casual observers) can see, and one that is more covert.
One half of the team (policeman/nightclub-doorman/patrol) makes itself known to the target, attempts to determine their intentions, and seeks to influence their behavior. Because of their observability and proximity, however, they are not necessarily best placed to respond to aggressive or non compliant actions by the perpetrator.
The other half of the team (policeman/ambush party/interceptor) stands back, normally carries a big stick, and prepares to intervene if required. If you've noticed him, he's lost part of his advantage.
Rather than ask why you couldn't see the second Typhoon, perhaps we should be considering why we could see the first? Why would a military aircraft on a live operation employ the tactic of making itself visible on a tracking website and (presumably) on TCAS?
Rather than ask why you couldn't see the second Typhoon, perhaps we should be considering why we could see the first?
Wild guess: physics?
DuncanDoenitz
16th Jan 2021, 14:26
Of course physics. Lots-of-noise physics, contrail physics, FR24 physics and Twitter physics.
All avoided by his buddy (not, I hasten to add, his wingman), who is quietly positioning himself in the target's 6.
phil9560
16th Jan 2021, 14:58
Thought only one of the pair authorised super sonic ?
TEEEJ
16th Jan 2021, 15:57
SLF posting, if I may.
I thought standard procedure was to send two Typhoons up - but only one this time? Any idea why?
2 Typhoons monitored by aircraft enthusiasts.
ZK357 was the Typhoon that went supersonic. ZK325 was the other Typhoon scrambled.
2 Typhoons monitored by aircraft enthusiasts.
ZK357 was the Typhoon that went supersonic. ZK325 was the other Typhoon scrambled.
Thanks all. I shall now return to my seat down the back, request another beverage from the cabin crew, and keep quiet.
Nimmer
17th Jan 2021, 12:10
I saw 2 as I was sat on the radar screen watching the situation. To quote the infamous Max Boyce “ I was there!!!”
FakePilot
15th Feb 2022, 14:18
Looks like a Samoan tattoo artist's impression of the wartime Dazzle camouflage used on ships.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/575x600/575px_hms_argus_1917__a4532914b3b19e53f7286ff9fe8c2daf2b0d86 0c.jpg
Hey it must work because no torpedos hit the plane.