Menwith Hill
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Doesn't exist, does it? So how can you fly over it?
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Can't see anything on the chart
I wouldn't recommend it - quite apart from all those radio waves the close proximity of such places as RAF Leeming with its fast, pointy aircraft with teeth, which may like to take a very close look at you, should give you pause for thought. 
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Who ?
Would that be SAM Smiths ??? 
From what I've seen they live very well with all USA type home comforts.
AFAIK it's only a listening post, so there may not be any radiation to fret about...
So normal low flying rules apply.
From what I've seen they live very well with all USA type home comforts.
AFAIK it's only a listening post, so there may not be any radiation to fret about...
So normal low flying rules apply.
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cornwall
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Overhead, taking pictures, selling them to Russians... That close
I know an Ex USAF Colonel who still goes to Menwith Hill to do his shopping for American Food.
I know an Ex USAF Colonel who still goes to Menwith Hill to do his shopping for American Food.
Oh Shazbat!
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Personally I'd avoid Menwith Hill, I have been up there & seen light aircraft flying close by but I've also been on a commercial flight into Leeds & have been on a hold flying around the base. I'd give it a wide berth just in case the LBA ATC guys put someone over there.
Used to go up there with a youth baseball team. A few years ago they had a great chap doing the liaison, and we had the young players sat eating their lunch when he came over to talk to the lads & lasses. One of the younger guys pointed at the white domes & innocently asked "What are those?"
Liaison officer points at one and says "See that one?". Youngster replies "Yes", so chap says "That's where we keep the missiles...See that one?..." (now pointing at another) "...That's where the nuclear submarine comes up after it's sailed up the Humber..."
Young player is sat wide-eyed not sure whether to believe him or not when we hear gunfire from a group practicing on the rifle range to which liaison chap points at another dome and says "Oh, thats where we take folks to shoot 'em"
For some reason we had no problems getting the players to do exactly as we asked after that
Quite likely, we had a American lad playing for us whose father used to stand with his nose pressed against the PX begging the Menwith parents to get him "proper polony"
Might be a stupid question but do you think they have SAM?
Liaison officer points at one and says "See that one?". Youngster replies "Yes", so chap says "That's where we keep the missiles...See that one?..." (now pointing at another) "...That's where the nuclear submarine comes up after it's sailed up the Humber..."
Young player is sat wide-eyed not sure whether to believe him or not when we hear gunfire from a group practicing on the rifle range to which liaison chap points at another dome and says "Oh, thats where we take folks to shoot 'em"
For some reason we had no problems getting the players to do exactly as we asked after that
I know an Ex USAF Colonel who still goes to Menwith Hill to do his shopping for American Food.
Tabs please !
Look for "Menwith Hill Balloon" on Youtube. The whole escapade is split across a number of episodes but it is well worth watching.
Awesome but Affordable
Around 25 years ago I was invited to fly in a hot air balloon at the Brass Monkey balloon meeting organised by the Pennine Region of the BBAC centred in Harrogate on a cold January weekend. The flight was taking part in a "fly-in" competion where the pilot chooses a launch site from which the prevailing winds will take the balloon as close as possible to a pre-determined landing place selected by the organisers. He selected a farmers field immediately adjacent to the Menwith Hill facility. As we were laying out the balloon in preparation for takeoff a couple of "Ministry" police cars drew up and the occupants approached us. "You cannot take off from here" they said to which the pilot and I responded "Oh yes we can, as we have the landowners permission". They closely watched our departure but declined to wave us goodbye. We climbed out in stately fashion over the "golf balls" and radio antenna eventually landing after an hour or so in the grounds of Ripley Castle, a well known stately home.
I imagine the reactions and attitude of the policemen were not assuaged by the fact that the balloon was one sponsored by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament with the CND logos emblazoned on the envelope. Happy Days.
Cheers,
Reaper 69
I imagine the reactions and attitude of the policemen were not assuaged by the fact that the balloon was one sponsored by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament with the CND logos emblazoned on the envelope. Happy Days.
Cheers,
Reaper 69
Last edited by G-KEST; 6th Mar 2010 at 22:33. Reason: changing a word
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There isn't and I have taken station personnel for sight seeing flights over and around it. There was never a "zone" around Greenham Common in its day either. Keep a good look out as usual, but it is best to choose a weekend to avoid low fly military in the area.
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G-KEST a similar thing happened to somebody i know...
He was on his way back from a car rally and stopped for a "wee", right up against the fence. Thinking it was a great photo op he started taking pictures of him, his Girlfriend and the car.
Literally after two snaps an MOD Police LandRover pulled up next to them...
Copper - What you doing?
Mate - Nothing just looking
Copper - We know exaclty what you've been doing, we've been watching you for the past 5 mins. Give us the phone.
The nice cop the proceeded to delete the photos before finally sayin...
On your way and next time piss on yer own fence
He was on his way back from a car rally and stopped for a "wee", right up against the fence. Thinking it was a great photo op he started taking pictures of him, his Girlfriend and the car.
Literally after two snaps an MOD Police LandRover pulled up next to them...
Copper - What you doing?
Mate - Nothing just looking
Copper - We know exaclty what you've been doing, we've been watching you for the past 5 mins. Give us the phone.
The nice cop the proceeded to delete the photos before finally sayin...
On your way and next time piss on yer own fence
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TTH,
I know it's a listening post but I used to skydive with a guy who worked for 'Ford' at the base.
He said there were plenty of things that communicate both ways.
Also, if you drive past on the A59, the GPS always goes off line as you pass by - funny old world
I know it's a listening post but I used to skydive with a guy who worked for 'Ford' at the base.
He said there were plenty of things that communicate both ways.
Also, if you drive past on the A59, the GPS always goes off line as you pass by - funny old world
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I've flown over Menwith Hill many times. Its not restricted airspace, but you are close to LBA. I suggest you give them a call if flying around there. Look for the white golf balls.
Upto The Buffers
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The nice cop the proceeded to delete the photos before finally sayin...
I fly over Menwith on a regular basis. No problem whatsoever. In fact it used to be a VRP if I remember rightly.
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Menwith has never been an official VRP in the 27 years I have been flying from Leeds, but up to 9/11 was used as an unofficial VRP by both pilots and controllers. (It is magnificent for that purpose) These days Leeds ATC advise me that direct overflights although not forbidden, are discouraged.