Monarch flight intercepted by Rafale
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Monarch flight intercepted by Rafale
http://http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/aviation/11930777/Monarch-flight-from-Madeira-to-Birmingham-intercepted-by-French-fighter-jet-in-mid-air-drama.html
Over the Atlantic Mr Regan...?
(I doubt the pax would have been aware of the recent Russian carrier transits in the area, so my point stands that they thought land-based Russian AD aircraft are a possible threat over the Atlantic!)
Mr Regan, 70, said: "It's a terrible world at the moment. When I saw the jet I didn't know what to think. I remember thinking about all the stories on the news about planes going down and worried about it being a Russian jet.
"I don't think you can help but fear the worst when this sort of thing happens - we thought it was the Russians straight away. The disaster in Ukraine has been in the news so much I think it's only natural
"I don't think you can help but fear the worst when this sort of thing happens - we thought it was the Russians straight away. The disaster in Ukraine has been in the news so much I think it's only natural
(I doubt the pax would have been aware of the recent Russian carrier transits in the area, so my point stands that they thought land-based Russian AD aircraft are a possible threat over the Atlantic!)
Doesn't look much like a Rafale to me...
And perhaps they ought to hand round a handy guide to national air force ID markings with the inflight emergency card.
And perhaps they ought to hand round a handy guide to national air force ID markings with the inflight emergency card.
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Mine is the usual crusty rant at the general ignorance of military affairs and geopolitics displayed by 99% of the population of this country today. Along the lines of 'Army Chinooks at airshows' etc.
Seriously, the pax should have looked at a map to see where 1) France, and then 2) Russia/Ukraine, fit into the whole European geography thing...
Seriously, the pax should have looked at a map to see where 1) France, and then 2) Russia/Ukraine, fit into the whole European geography thing...
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More to the point is how and why did the Monarch crew lose comms with French ATC for long enough to warrant interception?
"Monarch Airlines can confirm that Flight ZB983 from Funchal to Birmingham on October 12 was out of communication for a very short time while in French airspace. As is standard procedure when any loss of contact occurs, military aircraft were launched to intercept the aircraft. Communication with air traffic control had been re-established by the time the intercept occurred. The flight continued as planned with the aircraft landing as scheduled."
They didn't define "very short time", but maybe an over reaction by the French?
Maybe there was already a fighter in the air and in the vicinity so they vectored it to the airliner to have look see?
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From the article:
"Monarch Airlines can confirm that Flight ZB983 from Funchal to Birmingham on October 12 was out of communication for a very short time while in French airspace. As is standard procedure when any loss of contact occurs, military aircraft were launched to intercept the aircraft. Communication with air traffic control had been re-established by the time the intercept occurred. The flight continued as planned with the aircraft landing as scheduled."
They didn't define "very short time", but maybe an over reaction by the French?
Maybe there was already a fighter in the air and in the vicinity so they vectored it to the airliner to have look see?
"Monarch Airlines can confirm that Flight ZB983 from Funchal to Birmingham on October 12 was out of communication for a very short time while in French airspace. As is standard procedure when any loss of contact occurs, military aircraft were launched to intercept the aircraft. Communication with air traffic control had been re-established by the time the intercept occurred. The flight continued as planned with the aircraft landing as scheduled."
They didn't define "very short time", but maybe an over reaction by the French?
Maybe there was already a fighter in the air and in the vicinity so they vectored it to the airliner to have look see?
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Originally Posted by Courtney Mil
You're absolutely right, TR. They should all have been carrying their copy of the Times World Atlas.
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T9/T16 don't go through French airspace or require communication with French ATC. Most likely a problem on the airways over the bay of Biscay when they should have been talking to Brest/Bordeaux.
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If you're going to lambast poor Mr Reagan for his geography, TR perhaps you could brush up on your aircraft recognition.
The French do carry out a lot of interceptions, at one point about 40 times as many as UK. They also have retained a lot more fast jets; form your own conclusion on whether these two facts are linked.
The French do carry out a lot of interceptions, at one point about 40 times as many as UK. They also have retained a lot more fast jets; form your own conclusion on whether these two facts are linked.
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I heard this over 121.5 on Monday night, had us chuckling, the fella on radio called up Brest and said"err Brest control monarch xyz on 121.5, we appear to have 2 mirages on my wing tips, any idea why?" Atc replied,"yes sir,your being intercepted!"
Felt sorry for the guys, no doubt they will see the colour of the carpet in the chief pilots office when the French send the airline the bill!
Felt sorry for the guys, no doubt they will see the colour of the carpet in the chief pilots office when the French send the airline the bill!