UK police helicopter captures photo of rare full circle rainbow

[Tickle]

The St Athan-based National Police Air Service (NPAS) South West & Wales Region unit managed to capture the rare phenomenon over the Vale of Glamorgan, a county borough in the southeast of Wales.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/rainbow_sisxmxlvm_04b78f3404edfced7772361414ca14cbd9609021.j pg

Full article here:

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/travel-stories/rare-photo-of-full-circle-rainbow-captured-from-police-helicopter/news-story/2c751ea5778341a67125b1b743a24d9b

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I'm curious to know - how often do pilots see the full circle version from the air? First time I've ever seen it.

[megan]

Not uncommon. Flying above cloud you can see what is referred to as a "Pilots Glory", the shadow of the aircraft encircled by a rainbow.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/590x413/b2b3v_336ca6d5ecc1d0bf40c7b88d29c78aaafd01b14a.png
In the video you'll see a good double rainbow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w62AHrpU7nI

[601]

I'm curious to know - how often do pilots see the full circle version from the air? First time I've ever seen it.
Too many to count or remember all of them.

[rudestuff]

A rainbow seen from the air will always be a full rainbow (full circle double rainbow) given enough water droplets.

[Dan Dare]

Pilots' glory is predictable enough that I used to make a point of taking my passengers to see it when the clouds were low enough.

[teeteringhead]

Not heard the term "Pilot's Glory" before, but I've certainly seen one or two when "Victor Mike on top". The aircraft shadow in the middle of the circle is amazing to see.

[ShyTorque]

Yes, seen many of them. Depending on the viewer’s position, all rainbows are fully round. If you’re on the ground, the earth gets in the way of the lower part.

[MightyGem]

The aircraft shadow in the middle of the circle is amazing to see.

Can anyone explain why the shadow(on the ground) goes from the normal black shadow to a bright spot as you get higher?

[inmate]

Never any rainbows at St Athan during my BE days (44th Airframe) but on a lighter note flying tours over Maui in the 70's nothing like flying into the rain and sun, getting a full circle rainbow while playing "Over the Rainbow" many a tear was shed and tips improved.

[Union Jack]

Never any rainbows at St Athan during my BE days (44th Airframe) but on a lighter note flying tours over Maui in the 70's nothing like flying into the rain and sun, getting a full circle rainbow while playing "Over the Rainbow" many a tear was shed and tips improved.

Raining whilst the sun is shining and creating a rainbow is known in my family as a "monkey's wedding", probably due to southern African influence.:ok:

Jack

[albatross]

When I took my mom for her last helicopter ride before her death I flew he through one. She was thrilled. Then she pointed and said “Do you know that when I was pregnant with you George Pauli flew me under that bridge over there in a Norseman!” It all went pear-shaped after that.

EDIT 11-11-25 Today I attended Remembrance Ceremonies at the “National Field of Honour” in Pointe-Claire Quebec. Brought some flowers and visited George Pauli and his wife Audrey who rest there.
They were great friends of my parents.
George flew Halifax bombers with the RCAF in WW2 and became a well known bush pilot in Canada thereafter.
One of his sons Bob also became a pilot and was lost in a tragic DC-3 accident in the late 70s. One of his daughters, Mary Ellen, became a helicopter pilot and worked in the business for years.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1337x1240/img_7103_9a775a9e85111d3424ec1c6501d641e0e9b14aa1.jpeg

[Martin Barclay]

Not rare really. As my instructor said, standard aviation rainbow, no pot of gold!

[mykolamelynk]

What’s even more rare is that there was actually an aircraft available to fly that wasn’t on restricted hours, AND there was a pilot, AND a crew all in the same place! The stars align!

[detgnome]

Pretty sure that 'pilots glory' means something entirely different.

[megan]

Pretty sure that 'pilots glory' means something entirely differentNot for the fair sex.