RAF spin on 'We've sold too many airfields!'
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/w...st/6977044.stm

"A beach in Carmarthenshire is helping to train RAF pilots land a huge Hercules aircraft.."

You gotta hand it to them this time, I almost kinda believe it. Darfur? Genius!!

Last time I checked RAF Pembrey Sands was an RAF station.:rolleyes:

Not quite! Pembrey,like the other AWR's are now owned by DTE(Army),although still operated by RAF controllers.

So its still owned by the MoD then, of which the RAF is part of?

Pendine not far from Pembrey is the usual favourite along with Saunton Sands in North Devon for this.

Certainly not quite not quite.

It is not DTE(Army) although it seems like that but DE (DTE). It is known as the purple veneer to change the shade of the old Army Training Estate (ATE) from green to less green.

This time as you may remember http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...=beach+landing

I stand illuminated, thank you. When they can get a Herc into Caswell Bay, then I'll be especially impressed. :ok:

Keep checking.

When they can afford a new sign it will say DTE Pembrey Sands in natty white and green :(

Pembrey seems like a good place for this with the Control Tower overlooking the beach. As long as the level bomb pattern is taken out of use! :E

Good old BBC, I suppose a non-Lyenham based Herc crew could have flown there first?

The good folk of Lyneham were kind enough to host a few of us hacks yesterday. A flight to Pembrey and a lot of take-offs and landings, which were most impressive to watch, both from the cockpit and the beach.
I did feel a tad sorry for the newer pilots busy honing their tactical landing skills. Not only were instructors and boss of 47 breathing down their necks but they then had a bunch of hairy journos piling onto the flight deck and peering at them. They took it with very good grace, and all landings were within the box! I guess worse things happen where they're going.
Speaking as one who's been stuck down the back for plenty of dark landings in far-off places, it was fascinating stuff, and thanks for putting up with us.
Albert drivers are unsung heroes, IMHO.
:D

One presumes the LZSO checked the tide tables this time, or least stood between the sea and the LZ!
Last time we did beach landings at night, our Herc almost became a boat!

Youtube Video
 

It is not a new thing.
Search youtube for "Hercules beach landing".
or try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uzpDy3n3Vs.

Had a fantastic time over two days down on Saunton Sands last year when they were figuring out out the numbers for the Mark 3, one hell of a crosswind, but at least the sun was out...

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/tonyosborne1/other/5.jpg

tony: Is the hotel still on the cliff at the northern end ?

Was billeted there many years ago while on exercise Runaground at Chivenor when the mess was full.

Yep, the hotel is still there, but was quite a distance from where the Hercules was landing...

Tony, thats a great picture. Forgive my ignorance, but is that someone's head in the blobby window thing on top? My next question would be, if it is, can you strap in there?

Got that tick, it's a great view - you just need to hang on. No straps.

Gotta love the hacks, :ugh::{"A Hercules C130K using Pembrey Beach near Llanelli, for training in emergency landing and take off. Photo: Dimitris Legakis, Dragon News


How many times have YOU done an emergency take off? :ugh::D:}:{