USN Request - Remain clear of USS George Bush
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: England
USN Request - Remain clear of USS George Bush
Nuclear-powered Nimitz class carrier USS George Bush is now moored in the Solent.
US Navy police have asked Hampshire Police to ring the local flying clubs to say US Navy requests all aircraft to remain clear 1000ft vertically and laterally.
As chairman of Lee Flying Association I got the call from Inspector Hockley (Portsmouth).I have passed the message along to our members and other organisations based at Lee-On-Solent.
I have also explained to the police, and the Queens Harbour Master (Portsmouth) that many non-locally based aircraft fly the Solent. For the USN to get the sort of airspace bubble they want they should try to get a NOTAM issued by the CAA.
Unless or until a NOTAM is issued my best understanding is that the USN would like 1000ft separation.
Please check NOTAMs in case the area is increased in size by NOTAM.
US Navy police have asked Hampshire Police to ring the local flying clubs to say US Navy requests all aircraft to remain clear 1000ft vertically and laterally.
As chairman of Lee Flying Association I got the call from Inspector Hockley (Portsmouth).I have passed the message along to our members and other organisations based at Lee-On-Solent.
I have also explained to the police, and the Queens Harbour Master (Portsmouth) that many non-locally based aircraft fly the Solent. For the USN to get the sort of airspace bubble they want they should try to get a NOTAM issued by the CAA.
Unless or until a NOTAM is issued my best understanding is that the USN would like 1000ft separation.
Please check NOTAMs in case the area is increased in size by NOTAM.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,631
Likes: 0
From: UK
Many years ago I lined myself up for a deck landing (cant recall which of their fleet it was) obvioulsy executing the go around at a "suitable" height without actually infringing the low flying rule. It didnt seem to cause a problem then 
.
Has something changed we should know about?
Moreover I am not sure if you can have a movable NOTAM - as she gets underway - let me see you would have a NOTAM defined by its centre with a 1,000 feet radius the position of which would change from 0 knots to cruising speed and the NOTAM assumes she departs using the centre of the shipping lane.
Dont know why but it reminds me of this one:
I see they have managed to set up a much smaller exclusion zone for other vessels in the Solent but Lyneham were somewhat surprised to be called up as their standard diversion field - when erhm Lyneham was closed - I wonder how that bit of RT went?
.Has something changed we should know about?
Moreover I am not sure if you can have a movable NOTAM - as she gets underway - let me see you would have a NOTAM defined by its centre with a 1,000 feet radius the position of which would change from 0 knots to cruising speed and the NOTAM assumes she departs using the centre of the shipping lane.
Dont know why but it reminds me of this one:
I see they have managed to set up a much smaller exclusion zone for other vessels in the Solent but Lyneham were somewhat surprised to be called up as their standard diversion field - when erhm Lyneham was closed - I wonder how that bit of RT went?
Last edited by Fuji Abound; 27th May 2011 at 13:53.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
Yeah, especially if you have trouble locating the AI, as in here
I do wonder what their rules of engagement really are. Think of the furore if they shot down a spamcan flying around the IOM. And everybody knows that the spamcan is not going to be monitoring 121.50...
I do wonder what their rules of engagement really are. Think of the furore if they shot down a spamcan flying around the IOM. And everybody knows that the spamcan is not going to be monitoring 121.50...
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: ...back of the drag curve
Think of the furore if they shot down a spamcan flying around the IOM.
If its that important to them, why not request and get a RA(T)? They got restricted airspace for Mr O'Barmy to fly in his helicopter to London..
If it's good enough for some dodgy sports comp in London 2012, i'm sure the USA could swing it with our leaders
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 4
From: Oakland, CA
I think you're extremely unlikely to get shot down in a spam can. Most likely post-landing tea and biscuits if you annoy them, or some unexpected formation flight with a USN helicopter if you're persistently annoying. If you're dumb enough to ignore that kind of warning sign then things may turn out really quite badly but you'd really have to work at it.
Don't know what the exact rules are. I know how a TFR bust works in the US (not from experience, I might add) but this is a bit more complex. If you really want to get yourself hurt by the US Navy, though, your best bet is to go into a pub in Portsmouth and start mouthing off.
Don't know what the exact rules are. I know how a TFR bust works in the US (not from experience, I might add) but this is a bit more complex. If you really want to get yourself hurt by the US Navy, though, your best bet is to go into a pub in Portsmouth and start mouthing off.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
If you really want to get yourself hurt by the US Navy, though, your best bet is to go into a pub in Portsmouth and start mouthing off. 
I believe it was started with the question, "What's it like in the second biggest Navy in the world?"--- "OK, what's it like in the second best?"
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,807
Likes: 10
From: Ansião (PT)
Discussing the rules may be nice as an intellectual passtime, but adds little to practical safety. Common sense should suffice for steering clear of any person/organisation marching (or sailing, in this case) in arms far from home.
Those who insist on having the rules are, in all likeliness, spending too much time at absolute sciences and not enough at the sheer pleasure of flight.
Those who insist on having the rules are, in all likeliness, spending too much time at absolute sciences and not enough at the sheer pleasure of flight.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: here
Given the state of the world and recent events if you are perceived as a threat I doubt there would be little hesitation in stopping you getting close.
I can assure you that from a maritime point of view if you start getting close (and I was legitimately there) they WILL start tracking you with weapons. On this basis I think it is unlikely said weapons are not loaded and ready to be used. The decision to fire may not be a 'Command' decision either - a scared gunner who thinks he is about to be dive bombed may open fire first and ask questions later.
As an aside if you are stupid enough to buzz an American (or any country that is deemed to be at war) warship you deserve whatever you get.
HTC
I can assure you that from a maritime point of view if you start getting close (and I was legitimately there) they WILL start tracking you with weapons. On this basis I think it is unlikely said weapons are not loaded and ready to be used. The decision to fire may not be a 'Command' decision either - a scared gunner who thinks he is about to be dive bombed may open fire first and ask questions later.
As an aside if you are stupid enough to buzz an American (or any country that is deemed to be at war) warship you deserve whatever you get.
HTC
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: In a house
so how high out of the water is a carrier anyhow, should we avoid at 1000ft QNH or add a hundred feet or so to clear the top of it. It must be one of the most popular waypoints around for the novelty value. Wonder what they would do if you had an engine failure and opted to land on it instead of ditching in the Solent?
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 75
From: uk
I once overflew one of their carriers in the Solent and, as I passed overhead, I saw couple of bright flashes light up the cockpit around me. It took a little scary while to realise that my rear seat passenger was taking photographs and the flash was going off.
PPRuNe Bashaholic
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1997
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 2
From: The Peoples Alcoholic Republic of Jockistan
Q) EGTT/QRTCA/IV/BO/W/000/015/5046N00111W001
B) FROM: 11/05/28 11:44C) TO: 11/05/31 09:00 EST
E) RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) OWING TO A SITUATION AT STOKES BAY.
RESTRICTION OF FLYING REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE UNDER ARTICLE 161
OF THE AIR NAVIGATION ORDER 2009 IN AREA BOUNDED BY A CIRCLE RADIUS
1NM CENTRED ON 504612N 0011042W. PILOTS ARE FORBIDDEN TO FLY WI THE DESIGNATED AREA WITHOUT PERMISSION OF CHIEF CONSTABLE OF HAMPSHIRE POLICE (EMERGENCY CONTROLLING AUTHORITY) TEL 0845 0454545 ASK FOR FORCE CONTROL ROOM INSPECTOR.
ATC UNITS CLOSE TO THE INCIDENT AREA ARE REQUESTED TO ADVISE ACFT ON THEIR FREQ OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS NOTAM. MIL ACFT SHOULD COMPLY WITH JSP 552 201.135.9
LOWER: SFC
UPPER: 1500FT AMSL
B) FROM: 11/05/28 11:44C) TO: 11/05/31 09:00 EST
E) RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) OWING TO A SITUATION AT STOKES BAY.
RESTRICTION OF FLYING REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE UNDER ARTICLE 161
OF THE AIR NAVIGATION ORDER 2009 IN AREA BOUNDED BY A CIRCLE RADIUS
1NM CENTRED ON 504612N 0011042W. PILOTS ARE FORBIDDEN TO FLY WI THE DESIGNATED AREA WITHOUT PERMISSION OF CHIEF CONSTABLE OF HAMPSHIRE POLICE (EMERGENCY CONTROLLING AUTHORITY) TEL 0845 0454545 ASK FOR FORCE CONTROL ROOM INSPECTOR.
ATC UNITS CLOSE TO THE INCIDENT AREA ARE REQUESTED TO ADVISE ACFT ON THEIR FREQ OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS NOTAM. MIL ACFT SHOULD COMPLY WITH JSP 552 201.135.9
LOWER: SFC
UPPER: 1500FT AMSL
Joined: Apr 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 57
From: Surrey, UK ;
Thanks very much for those. We were down in Stokes Bay by chance on Sunday (on the way for lunch at the Osborne View) and saw the flat top.
Had been wondering why there was so much ferry boat traffic into the dockyard over the weekend.
Had been wondering why there was so much ferry boat traffic into the dockyard over the weekend.