Low-flying complaints up in East Anglia
Took what appeared to be a low flying complaint recently in the South West - phoned through ATC.
When I rang the very nice lady back, she was actually concerned that our aircraft was deliberately making noise near her house so the local farmer, who had a planning application in for some wind turbines, could defend any criticism of his application on noise grounds by showing that it wasn't a quiet area.........
Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you
When I rang the very nice lady back, she was actually concerned that our aircraft was deliberately making noise near her house so the local farmer, who had a planning application in for some wind turbines, could defend any criticism of his application on noise grounds by showing that it wasn't a quiet area.........
Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you
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Years ago, there was a noise complaint about low flying JPs around Malham Tarn in a letter published in the Yorkshire Post. The next day, the local council published a reply saying they regarded the aircraft as a tourist attraction and asking everyone to ignore the complaint from someone who had just moved into the area!
A woman who moved into a house near the SW corner of the Dartmoor ranges, admittedly a low level choke point, complained endlessly. Her complaints could not be reconciled with know movements so she was asked to keep a log. Unknown to her, the RAF police also sat there for a week and recorded all movements. Every aircraft she saw, she multiplied the number by 10.
A woman who moved into a house near the SW corner of the Dartmoor ranges, admittedly a low level choke point, complained endlessly. Her complaints could not be reconciled with know movements so she was asked to keep a log. Unknown to her, the RAF police also sat there for a week and recorded all movements. Every aircraft she saw, she multiplied the number by 10.
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I'm all over Norfolk daily, and mostly f-15's medium level, once a week on average ish. since the new order at Marham…..saw 2 F35's under thick cloud over north Norwich around 2k feet around 3 weeks ago.
Aint seen one before or after? Are they actually flying them things or are they in the sim all day?
Aint seen one before or after? Are they actually flying them things or are they in the sim all day?
More complaints due soon (on or about 4 Jun) for HM's birthday flypast rehearsal. Hopefully this year they will be better and overfly my garden instead of being off-centre again.
RAF were plagued by low-flying and noise complaints as far back as 1951. My first experience of low flying noise complaints against the RAF was in Rhodesia.
In 1951 I was at 5 FTS, RAF Thornhill, S. Rhodesia and attach a photo of "Boggies Clock" decorated for Coronation Day 1953 in Main Street in the centre of Gwelo (now Gweru) the nearest town to RAF THornhill.
Mrs Jean Boggie lived in Gwelo for many years and was one of the town's most colourful characters. Her husband was a pioneer, and a member of the first Legislative Council. After his death in 1928, she erected this memorial clock tower, a familiar landmark to all who passed through the town. There was also a memorial panel inserted in the tower, commemorating the women, children and cattle and donkeys of the pioneers.
Mrs. Boggie was well known for her protests against the noise created by training aircraft from RAF Thornhill which flew over her farm. The noise, she claimed, prevented her hens from laying and her cows from being content! She was always remonstrating with the authorities and often made her views known through letters to the press. RAF Airmen driving past the clock, in a bus for example, were in the habit of making their feelings known about her protests by blowing a raspberry - but she still protested.
One of the first things one learnt on arrival at 5 FTS was that it was de rigueur to blow the raspberry as one passed the clock!
It's still there, but Livingstone Avenue is now Robert Mugabe Avenue.
..and of course there was this lady who tried it on a couple of years ago and lost:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...nd/8408090.stm
In 1951 I was at 5 FTS, RAF Thornhill, S. Rhodesia and attach a photo of "Boggies Clock" decorated for Coronation Day 1953 in Main Street in the centre of Gwelo (now Gweru) the nearest town to RAF THornhill.
Mrs Jean Boggie lived in Gwelo for many years and was one of the town's most colourful characters. Her husband was a pioneer, and a member of the first Legislative Council. After his death in 1928, she erected this memorial clock tower, a familiar landmark to all who passed through the town. There was also a memorial panel inserted in the tower, commemorating the women, children and cattle and donkeys of the pioneers.
Mrs. Boggie was well known for her protests against the noise created by training aircraft from RAF Thornhill which flew over her farm. The noise, she claimed, prevented her hens from laying and her cows from being content! She was always remonstrating with the authorities and often made her views known through letters to the press. RAF Airmen driving past the clock, in a bus for example, were in the habit of making their feelings known about her protests by blowing a raspberry - but she still protested.
One of the first things one learnt on arrival at 5 FTS was that it was de rigueur to blow the raspberry as one passed the clock!
It's still there, but Livingstone Avenue is now Robert Mugabe Avenue.
..and of course there was this lady who tried it on a couple of years ago and lost:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...nd/8408090.stm
Avoid imitations
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One couple moved into a house right on our airfield boundary and subsequently complained about aircraft flying at weekends. Well, that's what they had always done since 1941 when a UAS was first based there...
We had one old lady ring up to complain that the Chipmunks were deliberately changing gear over her house.
We had one old lady ring up to complain that the Chipmunks were deliberately changing gear over her house.
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During my Army Chipmunk training on one particular morning every student was ordered to report after landing. At the base of the control tower we were told a lady had telephoned to complain to the feared CFI about a low flying aircraft. She was said to have written down the serial number of the offender. We were all (or nearly all) worried as we had been in the area and might just have been lower than we ought by several hundred feet. The DCFI came out and asked if anyone wanted to admit their transgression. Nobody answered. The DCFI went back to his office and we continued to wait for what seemed like ages. Eventually we were dismissed and went to change out of flying gear. Shortly after we learned that the CFI who was not at his telephone when the lady had made the complaint phoned her up and asked for the serial number. Apparently the lady spelled out A.R.M.Y.
During my Army Chipmunk training on one particular morning every student was ordered to report after landing. At the base of the control tower we were told a lady had telephoned to complain to the feared CFI about a low flying aircraft. She was said to have written down the serial number of the offender. We were all (or nearly all) worried as we had been in the area and might just have been lower than we ought by several hundred feet. The DCFI came out and asked if anyone wanted to admit their transgression. Nobody answered. The DCFI went back to his office and we continued to wait for what seemed like ages. Eventually we were dismissed and went to change out of flying gear. Shortly after we learned that the CFI who was not at his telephone when the lady had made the complaint phoned her up and asked for the serial number. Apparently the lady spelled out A.R.M.Y.
Incidentally, isn't A.R.M.Y. how you spell 'Joint'?
Back in 66 at valley there was a noise complaint call from Holyhead Hospital about a Gnat circling, at night. Unsympathetic response from Duty Instructor in the tower was that the aircraft could not lower its undercarriage and that in the absence of a successful outcome the pilots might well become patients, if they survived!
Immediate change of tack from complainant, apologising for bothering and keenly offering any necessary assistance
Immediate change of tack from complainant, apologising for bothering and keenly offering any necessary assistance
2TWU @ #23
It was similar in 1962 with the Nav School Varsities. The 9 aircraft departed on the same route at 15 min intervals, and arrived at Dursley, for return to Hullavington, at random spacing dependent on the capabilities of the various student navigators.
A gentleman (retired Colonel no less) living near Dursley regularly telephoned with complaints about low flying aircraft, complete with all of their numbers. The aircraft numbers were on the underside of the wings and were about 3 feet high. The complaints only came on days with a high cloud base. The Varsity stream/gaggle was at FL60.
Eventually the RAF Police went to his house (on a day with a high cloud base) and took photographs of him sitting in an armchair in his garden copying down the aircraft numbers with the aid of a telescope! The Station Commander's letter explained that if did not use a telescope perhaps he wouldn't have a problem.The complaints stopped.
It was similar in 1962 with the Nav School Varsities. The 9 aircraft departed on the same route at 15 min intervals, and arrived at Dursley, for return to Hullavington, at random spacing dependent on the capabilities of the various student navigators.
A gentleman (retired Colonel no less) living near Dursley regularly telephoned with complaints about low flying aircraft, complete with all of their numbers. The aircraft numbers were on the underside of the wings and were about 3 feet high. The complaints only came on days with a high cloud base. The Varsity stream/gaggle was at FL60.
Eventually the RAF Police went to his house (on a day with a high cloud base) and took photographs of him sitting in an armchair in his garden copying down the aircraft numbers with the aid of a telescope! The Station Commander's letter explained that if did not use a telescope perhaps he wouldn't have a problem.The complaints stopped.
4 x VC10K departing at MTOM at 30 min intervals in the early hours didn't exactly cause expressions of pleasure from the locals some years ago - the aircraft were all trailing to Akrotiri. Which in those days would close at around mid-day...
Although that wasn't quite as bad as the time the Boss took off on a Q scamble in mid-June 1986. Hot, humid morning at 05:30-ish, the very light wind put us just within limits for a full power take-off on RW08. Rather than climbing at V2+20, he then accelerated to Min Flap Retract speed...hence a shallower climb than normal. As the squadron had been nagged at for low level turns, he then decided to set a good example and waited until we'd passed 500 ft before turning. Thus we went over the West Witney estate rather lower than ideal and with the gentle purr of 4 x Conways at max chat to entertain the locals...whose windows were doubtless open because of the heat. That caused the Radio Oxford switchboard to light up like a Christmas tree - and the Boss was later invited to have a chat with the Stn Cdr! A 7hr trip and we didn't even catch any Bears!
Although that wasn't quite as bad as the time the Boss took off on a Q scamble in mid-June 1986. Hot, humid morning at 05:30-ish, the very light wind put us just within limits for a full power take-off on RW08. Rather than climbing at V2+20, he then accelerated to Min Flap Retract speed...hence a shallower climb than normal. As the squadron had been nagged at for low level turns, he then decided to set a good example and waited until we'd passed 500 ft before turning. Thus we went over the West Witney estate rather lower than ideal and with the gentle purr of 4 x Conways at max chat to entertain the locals...whose windows were doubtless open because of the heat. That caused the Radio Oxford switchboard to light up like a Christmas tree - and the Boss was later invited to have a chat with the Stn Cdr! A 7hr trip and we didn't even catch any Bears!
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BEagle #33
I think you are confusing two Tansor sortie in Jun 86, it was a busy time as I flew 5 sorties in 5 days.
I was with the Boss on that Take Off on 13 Jun at 0332Z. i remember it well as I was at home in bed 6 miles away when the Scramble call came at 0302Z. In the days before traffic calming in Brize Norton village it was possible to do 70mph through the village. After Rapid Clearance at the Main Gate and 70mph across the airfield, I joined the Boss in running to the aircraft. The Air Engineer was starting the engines as we boarded. The Ground Crew arrived, as the last engine was starting, to pull the chocks out. We set the speed bugs on the ASIs and switched the Nav Kit on during the Take Off roll. Needless to say No IN alignment. The rest is as you describe except we caught 2 Bears (Door Numbers 30 and 33). As I remember it we handed the F4s to you off the Hebrides on our return. We got 2 more Bears the next day and 3 on the 16th. I flew with you and the Boss on the 17th for 7 hours and No Bears.
I think you are confusing two Tansor sortie in Jun 86, it was a busy time as I flew 5 sorties in 5 days.
I was with the Boss on that Take Off on 13 Jun at 0332Z. i remember it well as I was at home in bed 6 miles away when the Scramble call came at 0302Z. In the days before traffic calming in Brize Norton village it was possible to do 70mph through the village. After Rapid Clearance at the Main Gate and 70mph across the airfield, I joined the Boss in running to the aircraft. The Air Engineer was starting the engines as we boarded. The Ground Crew arrived, as the last engine was starting, to pull the chocks out. We set the speed bugs on the ASIs and switched the Nav Kit on during the Take Off roll. Needless to say No IN alignment. The rest is as you describe except we caught 2 Bears (Door Numbers 30 and 33). As I remember it we handed the F4s to you off the Hebrides on our return. We got 2 more Bears the next day and 3 on the 16th. I flew with you and the Boss on the 17th for 7 hours and No Bears.
Tengah Type, in which case he must have flown the same profile twice - it was definitely 17 June 1986 but I'm not sure why I was called in as I'd been on leave and was supposed to have been on a 2130 trip on the 16th, but that seems to have been Cnx'd…
I vividly recall looking past the Boss through the left window in the left turn over Witney, thinking how close it looked! It was my last trip with that Boss. JF woke up in Thorney Leys as we thundered overhead - his wife thought we were coming through the roof!
You couldn't have handed over to me over the Hebrides on the 13th (Friday!) as I was on leave, so it must have been to somebody else.
But a busy time as you say!
I vividly recall looking past the Boss through the left window in the left turn over Witney, thinking how close it looked! It was my last trip with that Boss. JF woke up in Thorney Leys as we thundered overhead - his wife thought we were coming through the roof!
You couldn't have handed over to me over the Hebrides on the 13th (Friday!) as I was on leave, so it must have been to somebody else.
But a busy time as you say!