Army flashed by mob
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: 45 yards from a tropical beach
Roadster 280
One evening back in the 70's, I was joining the circuit at Townsville (North Queensland) in an SP2H. The runway threshold was adjacent to the town common, a nature reserve. One of our mates from a local flying school was conducting night circuit training in a Cessna 150 and we heard him complain to ATC that he was being spotlighted on finals by some hoons (yobs) in the common. Sure enough, as we came down finals, the hoons flashed their quite powerful spotlight at us. Not to be outdone, we returned the favour with our 9 Million Candlepower searchlight. We then treated them to a decibel concerto as our two Wright Cyclones plus two Westinghouse jets reached full power in a low go-around. They were still stumbling around trying to recover their night vision when the police arrested them. Seemed to fix the problem.
Neppie
One evening back in the 70's, I was joining the circuit at Townsville (North Queensland) in an SP2H. The runway threshold was adjacent to the town common, a nature reserve. One of our mates from a local flying school was conducting night circuit training in a Cessna 150 and we heard him complain to ATC that he was being spotlighted on finals by some hoons (yobs) in the common. Sure enough, as we came down finals, the hoons flashed their quite powerful spotlight at us. Not to be outdone, we returned the favour with our 9 Million Candlepower searchlight. We then treated them to a decibel concerto as our two Wright Cyclones plus two Westinghouse jets reached full power in a low go-around. They were still stumbling around trying to recover their night vision when the police arrested them. Seemed to fix the problem.
Neppie
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 93
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From: UK
It just might be that the crew departed the location in an effort to be neighbourly, after all we are told to do so all the time!
Might also be that the press release was "sexed" up a bit to impress upon the idiots involved just how dangerous it is to shine bright lights into the cockpits of low flying aircraft, imagine what could have happened if the crew had been wearing good old NVG!
Might also be that the press release was "sexed" up a bit to impress upon the idiots involved just how dangerous it is to shine bright lights into the cockpits of low flying aircraft, imagine what could have happened if the crew had been wearing good old NVG!
Joined: Aug 2005
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,599
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From: Tennessee - Smoky Mountains
Neptunus Rex:
Good drills, well done. Retina-scorch is an effective deterrent. As is blast and downwash. As are 30mm rounds, but that's for war use only.
If the Dorset farmers were in Iraq, which of the three options would they have got? And how many Iraqis point torches at military helicopters?
Good drills, well done. Retina-scorch is an effective deterrent. As is blast and downwash. As are 30mm rounds, but that's for war use only.
If the Dorset farmers were in Iraq, which of the three options would they have got? And how many Iraqis point torches at military helicopters?
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 150
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From: UK
On a training mission to a specified target, suddenly from all round the target bright light shines at you, backing down the googles so you can't see...
Actions on google failure are climb to a safe altitude, going back to the target is pointless as you'll get shined on by torch light again, so going home seems to me a perfectly sensible idea...
All the above is of course just hypothisis, but those who suggest the crew deserve white feathers are I feel, going too far.
As for low flying just over dedicated small training area's such as the plain, what is the challenge in flying over an area where you work in all year round. Low flying is annoying, but the training has to be done... Unless of course you think it should wait until the crews get out into theatre for the first time.
Actions on google failure are climb to a safe altitude, going back to the target is pointless as you'll get shined on by torch light again, so going home seems to me a perfectly sensible idea...
All the above is of course just hypothisis, but those who suggest the crew deserve white feathers are I feel, going too far.
As for low flying just over dedicated small training area's such as the plain, what is the challenge in flying over an area where you work in all year round. Low flying is annoying, but the training has to be done... Unless of course you think it should wait until the crews get out into theatre for the first time.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Joined: Nov 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Alles über die platz
JTIDS;
Like around Long Crichel, Dorset ?
Seems to me that the 'protest' was about the persistant use of the local area for training.
So that's it then! All that an enemy has to do is send out the bicycle troops to cordon off a target area.
When you hear an Apache coming, switch on the light!
Mission aborted!
I hope I haven't said anything classified!!!
SS
As for low flying just over dedicated small training area's such as the plain, what is the challenge in flying over an area where you work in all year round.
Seems to me that the 'protest' was about the persistant use of the local area for training.
Actions on google failure are climb to a safe altitude, going back to the target is pointless as you'll get shined on by torch light again, so going home seems to me a perfectly sensible idea...
When you hear an Apache coming, switch on the light!
Mission aborted!
I hope I haven't said anything classified!!!
SS
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Alles über die platz
Or should they have pressed on, lost visual references and run the risk of flying into UK civilians?
Sorry, I have only ever sat in one, on my EWI course, and not actually flown one, but are these aircraft like moths, or are you able to fly away from light???
I didn't realise the MMR can distinguish between UK civis and civis of other nations!!
SS
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6
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From: Wales
I know a guy whose immediate IA is to stow his goggles in the boot
Seriously though, this is an arrestable offence and is something that the Police Air Support Units are taking a very active interest in - Just wait until the yobs discover industrial green lasers! That will make you run away.
Seriously though, this is an arrestable offence and is something that the Police Air Support Units are taking a very active interest in - Just wait until the yobs discover industrial green lasers! That will make you run away.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 38
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From: now an exobs but still flying
Happens up here on a regular basis, not as if you get many Helos flying around at night, particularly enjoy it on a very dark night while on a SAR shout.
But then what do you expect from the uneducated masses that are found in these parts!!
But then what do you expect from the uneducated masses that are found in these parts!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 102
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From: UK
PESKY CHOPPERS
Bl00dy Hell! I nearly got suckered into it - if only you lot knew you would realise how silly you are making yourselves look with this thread and how ill informed Sky News (and the rest of the media) is with this story.
I was about to offer some guidance, but am now enjoying it that I cannot wait for the next post, article or news video footage! Also, if you lot can't be bothered to find out/ask about AH before jumping in with both feet then you are on your own.
Hey - I am with you all on this one - why let the truth get in the way of a good story and this is a good story - isn't it?
I was about to offer some guidance, but am now enjoying it that I cannot wait for the next post, article or news video footage! Also, if you lot can't be bothered to find out/ask about AH before jumping in with both feet then you are on your own.
Hey - I am with you all on this one - why let the truth get in the way of a good story and this is a good story - isn't it?
Last edited by Front Seater; 20th November 2005 at 06:42.
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 144
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From: ?
Stupid though, if those pilots would have dies then how would the bloody farmers have felt, simple answer take a couple of chinooks over with a few miniguns on the back loaded with balnks and lay a few thousand shots out towards em....that will make em !!!! themselves!
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Joined: Nov 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,753
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From: Alles über die platz
...brave or incredibly stupid in a hot zone to be shining anything anywhere near an Apache I would have thought.
All your 'front seat' technology won't get you away from the old cold war threat of the man waiting round the corner!!
Front Seater, you don't seem to realise how silly you lot appear to everyone else.
"Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave Sir Robin" , springs to mind!!
"When Danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled
Yes brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly chickened out.. "
SS