GA Bashing From The RAF
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 1
From: uk
Whats the betting that, just like the millenium and the billions spent on perceived computers falling to bits, this lot will pat themselves on the back when its all over, for a job well done as nothing happened, due to them of course. Farce is not the word. Bet we win buggahall medals as well!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: London UK
A GA aircraft doesn't have to be full of terrorists to be a "threat".
Surely a more plausible threat from a GA aircraft is to accidentally bust airspace and then fly blindly near/through a scrum of media helicopters, police helicopters, UAVs, etc. I remember Dale Farm got NOTAMed for that reason and, sadly, I think the Olympics will be an even bigger nuisance than Dale Farm was.
Shutting down vast areas of airspace is overkill, but it isn't totally stupid to consider the threat.
Surely a more plausible threat from a GA aircraft is to accidentally bust airspace and then fly blindly near/through a scrum of media helicopters, police helicopters, UAVs, etc. I remember Dale Farm got NOTAMed for that reason and, sadly, I think the Olympics will be an even bigger nuisance than Dale Farm was.
Shutting down vast areas of airspace is overkill, but it isn't totally stupid to consider the threat.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 2
From: GLASGOW
1%, keep the 99% 'afraid'. That is how our politicians now operate, this to mask their corruption, incompetence, and global agenda.
The threat of terror, ever present, is continually kept at the forefront, aka the total thrill of airport security
Obviously the Olympics, given past history, requires careful and considered security and state planning. However, the OP, was regarding the part played by BBC reporting, and the piece by the RAF. It was all very unhelpful, and did not engender GA, or the competence of those involved in GA, to anyone. Nor to the event.
The Air Commodore was extremely unfortunate, and perhaps he was doing the interview with tongue firmly in cheek, which would be odd given the severity of the situation. All in all a pretty bizarre set up, but to be expected nowadays
The threat of terror, ever present, is continually kept at the forefront, aka the total thrill of airport security
Obviously the Olympics, given past history, requires careful and considered security and state planning. However, the OP, was regarding the part played by BBC reporting, and the piece by the RAF. It was all very unhelpful, and did not engender GA, or the competence of those involved in GA, to anyone. Nor to the event.
The Air Commodore was extremely unfortunate, and perhaps he was doing the interview with tongue firmly in cheek, which would be odd given the severity of the situation. All in all a pretty bizarre set up, but to be expected nowadays
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Middle England
Forgive me, I'm still mystified. Why did the Royal Wedding only warrant a modest prohibited zone, when Westminster Abbey was stuffed to the rafters with just about every world leader, yet we now need apparently need flight plans, Typhoons and all sorts of other stuff to protect a bunch of people running around a race track?
I don't blame the RAF. Fine chaps and chapesses and a wonderful ATC service when you ask for it. They've kept their stiff upper lip as most of their aircraft have been taken away. An as for the Navy, those poor souls have got to think up a name for a new type of ship. You obviously can't call it an aircraft carrier if it hasn't got any aircraft on it (answers on a postcard). I can't help thinking of the Monty Python Black knight when I see all this happening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4://
I don't blame the RAF. Fine chaps and chapesses and a wonderful ATC service when you ask for it. They've kept their stiff upper lip as most of their aircraft have been taken away. An as for the Navy, those poor souls have got to think up a name for a new type of ship. You obviously can't call it an aircraft carrier if it hasn't got any aircraft on it (answers on a postcard). I can't help thinking of the Monty Python Black knight when I see all this happening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4://
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: London
The GA comment was probably more an indication of what the RAF has actually planned for. Other than being vigilant I don't really see how you can plan against terrorism, but you can plan against VFR fliers that are "temporarily unsure of their position". The majority of commercial traffic should after all be busy following the magenta line or similar.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wish for more terrorists, just for existing terrorists to be dealt with in a fair and efficient manner.
I object to anybody wishing there were more terrorists to shoot.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,114
Likes: 1,088
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
A GA aircraft doesn't have to be full of terrorists to be a "threat".
Surely a more plausible threat from a GA aircraft is to accidentally bust airspace and then fly blindly near/through a scrum of media helicopters, police helicopters, UAVs, etc. I remember Dale Farm got NOTAMed for that reason and, sadly, I think the Olympics will be an even bigger nuisance than Dale Farm was. Shutting down vast areas of airspace is overkill, but it isn't totally stupid to consider the threat.
Surely a more plausible threat from a GA aircraft is to accidentally bust airspace and then fly blindly near/through a scrum of media helicopters, police helicopters, UAVs, etc. I remember Dale Farm got NOTAMed for that reason and, sadly, I think the Olympics will be an even bigger nuisance than Dale Farm was. Shutting down vast areas of airspace is overkill, but it isn't totally stupid to consider the threat.
We are already in a situation where crews of private aircraft are being frisked and having their bags X-rayed on the apron. It's happening now! God help us when the Olympics restrictions actually begin.
