RTÉ: RAF plane make unapproved landing at EINN
A wee while ago...
.....went with a two a/c det to Elmas in Sardinia.
While the crews sorted out the a/c I set off with detcom to introduce him to OC Ops (whom I knew, personal touch and all that). As we walked across the dispersal a car came up to us at high speed containing a VERY cross OC Ops.
"Get in" shouted and back to the ops building.
0ooer missus. Not a great start.
Back in his office we were treated to a huge tirade using words like "arrogance"
"lack of respect" "disregard of normal procedures" bla blah.
Another crew had done the same thing the week before.
I protested that I had signalled CommanderXXXXX (Someone else I knew)at Maristat and if a call was made to him it would be sorted out.
Grudgingly he did so and visibly, as the conversation went on, he deflated.
The fax machine behind him chuntered into life and the dipclears for both flights appeared.
As we went back to the a/c detcom said WTF was all that about? as he didn't speak Italian. I'll tell you later.
As alfie_the_great said above it was a local, national screw up rather than any fault of the FCO.
It ain't what you know it's who you know.
The Ancient Mariner
While the crews sorted out the a/c I set off with detcom to introduce him to OC Ops (whom I knew, personal touch and all that). As we walked across the dispersal a car came up to us at high speed containing a VERY cross OC Ops.
"Get in" shouted and back to the ops building.
0ooer missus. Not a great start.
Back in his office we were treated to a huge tirade using words like "arrogance"
"lack of respect" "disregard of normal procedures" bla blah.
Another crew had done the same thing the week before.
I protested that I had signalled CommanderXXXXX (Someone else I knew)at Maristat and if a call was made to him it would be sorted out.
Grudgingly he did so and visibly, as the conversation went on, he deflated.
The fax machine behind him chuntered into life and the dipclears for both flights appeared.
As we went back to the a/c detcom said WTF was all that about? as he didn't speak Italian. I'll tell you later.
As alfie_the_great said above it was a local, national screw up rather than any fault of the FCO.
It ain't what you know it's who you know.
The Ancient Mariner
I've been interested to see mentions of the FCO regarding this incident. From what I recall from 1973/74, whilst at Upavon, the Dipclear Office (next to mine) was a Sergeant and a Clerk, using a FCO manual for reference but responsible for all the signals traffic to Embassies themselves.
I've shared a Guinness or two with the current GOC of the Irish Air Corps - a very nice man indeed and very pro Irish/Brit relations. As others have said, this looks like more 'fake news' and a politician making headlines for her own political agenda; no more than an admin error I'm sure.
Once a pilot...
There is standing dip clearance for training/non armed/ non mission related aircraft.
On this day, due to poor weather at Kef, the crew had to go via Shannon for fuel/ pre position out of Brize ( also due to weather)
In an ideal world, a retraction by the various news agencies should occur, as this was just hyped up, false reporting over a normal flight.
There is standing dip clearance for training/non armed/ non mission related aircraft.
On this day, due to poor weather at Kef, the crew had to go via Shannon for fuel/ pre position out of Brize ( also due to weather)
In an ideal world, a retraction by the various news agencies should occur, as this was just hyped up, false reporting over a normal flight.
Once a pilot...
There is standing dip clearance for training/non armed/ non mission related aircraft.
On this day, due to poor weather at Kef, the crew had to go via Shannon for fuel/ pre position out of Brize ( also due to weather)
In an ideal world, a retraction by the various news agencies should occur, as this was just hyped up, false reporting over a normal flight.
There is standing dip clearance for training/non armed/ non mission related aircraft.
On this day, due to poor weather at Kef, the crew had to go via Shannon for fuel/ pre position out of Brize ( also due to weather)
In an ideal world, a retraction by the various news agencies should occur, as this was just hyped up, false reporting over a normal flight.
Do you know if the correct standing dip was on the flightplan? If it was, there is no case. OAP
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Nail, head, exactly my thought. The Dipclear must be quoted. However I admit to overflying a couple of islands without dipclear, one Spanish or Faeroes, the Greeks however created 7 bells if you even entered their FIR.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
........ the Greeks however created 7 bells if you even entered their FIR.
I believe there were some interesting conversations.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
We once had an issue with the French in 1964 too. Flying home, FL 450, minding our own business .
"What is your aircraft type" elicit the reply, "4-Jet".
On further probing we expanded to " RAF 4-Jet 4-Jet"
They replied "Are you Vulcan XM645?". Fair cop. They had 2 Mirage port side and two RCAF F104 starboard. Something perked their interest but no idea what.
"What is your aircraft type" elicit the reply, "4-Jet".
On further probing we expanded to " RAF 4-Jet 4-Jet"
They replied "Are you Vulcan XM645?". Fair cop. They had 2 Mirage port side and two RCAF F104 starboard. Something perked their interest but no idea what.
No, it's not. I am not sure how you arrive at that turn of phrase. An invasion is a hostile act. Making a mistake is not by definition a hostile act, though it can be one if the error includes the use of, for example, live ordnance. It depends on the situation, and nations have embassies and comms to handle such situations. The only news here, which isn't really news, is that there is an Irish politician who is a blowhard. Given that he's a politician, it is par for the course.
