BMI Intercepted by French?
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BMI Intercepted by French?
It would appear that G- BMDT was intercepted this morning by a French jet.
Quite easily done, this is the third interception I have heard on 121.5 whilst operating during the last six months.
Probably would not happen on a weekend as the French Air force are busy "Going Down In Flames"
Quite easily done, this is the third interception I have heard on 121.5 whilst operating during the last six months.
Probably would not happen on a weekend as the French Air force are busy "Going Down In Flames"
Was it r/t failure or failure to keep a listening watch ? Still happens too often and in the present day security climate it just ain't a good idea. Come on guys, if you're flying in busy European airspace and you don't hear anything for five minutes or more doesn't it tell you that something might be amiss?
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When I've got a longish flight with nothing to do, I like to turn the second VHF box to 121.5 and keep an ear open... but it never ceases to amaze me how many captains would rather tune it to an ATIS that won't actually come through for another 200 miles... 
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Dogma, you would then be able to add to your post that the pilot sensibly requested a frequency from 121.5 , as the one he was given was incorrect and he couldn't find Reims on any of the other frequencies he had/knew. Bit of good thinking to contact 121.5, as they solved the problem immediately as they were already aware of the situation.
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Come on guys, if you're flying in busy European airspace and you don't hear anything for five minutes or more doesn't it tell you that something might be amiss?
Errr, no. Five minutes of silence is not uncommon at some times of the day. Ten minutes maybe I'll start worrying. Besides, since when has maintaining a listening watch prevented you from being intercepted in France? My company has had several incidences of aircraft being intercepted by the French despite being in normal radio contact with ATC. Some were even told in advance they were going to be intercepted whether they liked it or not.
Errr, no. Five minutes of silence is not uncommon at some times of the day. Ten minutes maybe I'll start worrying. Besides, since when has maintaining a listening watch prevented you from being intercepted in France? My company has had several incidences of aircraft being intercepted by the French despite being in normal radio contact with ATC. Some were even told in advance they were going to be intercepted whether they liked it or not.
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The pilot sensibly requested a frequency from 121.5 , as the one he was given was incorrect and he couldn't find Reims on any of the other frequencies he had/knew.
I have done likewise in the past, unlucky really.
When in France, have your charts out and listen to 21.5 all the time.
I have done likewise in the past, unlucky really.
When in France, have your charts out and listen to 21.5 all the time.
Ut Sementem Feeceris
Doesn't everyone put 121.5 on box 2 (or 3 
) ??? That's basic airmanship. And what's wrong with "Bordeaux, radio check" - takes about 2 seconds and confirms all is well with the world.
I'm sure the comments about interceptions when in normal contact are probably for the benefit of the French airforce - a bit of practice ready for those who don't keep a listening watch or have their charts to hand.......
I am dumbfounded that all airlines don't demand it in SOP's since 911. Can you imagine being intercepted at NIGHT and just seeing a nav light very close.
If you (a) don't come up on 121.5 immediately i.e. not having to dial it up etc and (b) start to make evasive manouvers, things could get very sticky, very quickly.
Just monitor 121.5 and do a radio check if it's been quite for a few minutes ............ it's not rocket science!
) ??? That's basic airmanship. And what's wrong with "Bordeaux, radio check" - takes about 2 seconds and confirms all is well with the world.I'm sure the comments about interceptions when in normal contact are probably for the benefit of the French airforce - a bit of practice ready for those who don't keep a listening watch or have their charts to hand.......
I am dumbfounded that all airlines don't demand it in SOP's since 911. Can you imagine being intercepted at NIGHT and just seeing a nav light very close.
If you (a) don't come up on 121.5 immediately i.e. not having to dial it up etc and (b) start to make evasive manouvers, things could get very sticky, very quickly.
Just monitor 121.5 and do a radio check if it's been quite for a few minutes ............ it's not rocket science!
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Hi All;
This is amazing stuff to me....first I've ever heard of such a thing. Excuse my stupidity but what do they do when they "intercept you"? Shepperd you in once they ascertain that all is OK?
Is all this just post 9/11 or has it always gone on? Certainly would make you feel more secure if you felt the airforce are watching all that is going on up there along with ATC.
Ncusack
This is amazing stuff to me....first I've ever heard of such a thing. Excuse my stupidity but what do they do when they "intercept you"? Shepperd you in once they ascertain that all is OK?
Is all this just post 9/11 or has it always gone on? Certainly would make you feel more secure if you felt the airforce are watching all that is going on up there along with ATC.
Ncusack
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Just for info, my company has been intercepted once by a french fighter in ... IMC. They failed to contact the next sector (or ATC forgot to call them) but they were still able to listen communications. The fact, it seems that the french air force take any chance to practice interception as they even didn't call the company for a SELCAL. It's so true that I heard once ATC calling a AC if he would accept to be intercepted. And more, it seems for us it was a sort of revange as we had 2 airmiss with french fighters who failed to keep separation. Then don't worry and just enjoy the view.
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It may be that he did nothing wrong and radio contact was maintained. My company was intercepted 4 times thru French Airspace in a period of one month.
ATC just announced 'you are to be intercepted'.
ASR's filed and the decision was taken to file as loss of seperation as the crew were given no choice in the matter. They were told it was for training and ID.
ATC just announced 'you are to be intercepted'.
ASR's filed and the decision was taken to file as loss of seperation as the crew were given no choice in the matter. They were told it was for training and ID.
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A little less condemnation might (again) be necessary here. The FAF are in the habit of making practice intercepts, whether the a/c on the receiving end likes it or not, or whether theyve done anything 'wrong' or not. Theyve been asked to stop it, as its potentially dangerous, but won't. Plus ca change.
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Frankly, most of the posts on this thread miss the point: it's actually reassuring to see that the French Air Force keeps on top of the post 9/11 security situation by practicing intercepts on commercial a/c, whether they like it or not. Remember, when we are up there in French airspace, THEY are the police. Also, that may teach some operators to keep a listening watch on 121.5 sometimes! Then again, if flight crew dislike the sight of a Mirage 2000 on their wingtip, maybe, just maybe, they're in the wrong line of work...
P.S.; just as flight crew need to practice autolands every now and then, likewise fighter pilots need to hone their skills at real-life intercepts.
P.S.; just as flight crew need to practice autolands every now and then, likewise fighter pilots need to hone their skills at real-life intercepts.
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1. Why can't military aircraft practice intercepts on other military aircraft, rather than concerning passengers on board commercial aircraft?
2. What notice would a hijacker take of being intercepted? That is: what is the point of the military intercepting commercial aircraft? They can hardly pull them over to check their licence can they? Shooting down a commercial aircraft would kill everyone on board and a substantial number of people on the ground. Is that better or worse than allowing an aircraft to continue? I think, in their own words, it just gives them a raison d'etre.
2. What notice would a hijacker take of being intercepted? That is: what is the point of the military intercepting commercial aircraft? They can hardly pull them over to check their licence can they? Shooting down a commercial aircraft would kill everyone on board and a substantial number of people on the ground. Is that better or worse than allowing an aircraft to continue? I think, in their own words, it just gives them a raison d'etre.
Pegase Driver
`True story :
B737 not talking to anyone since 20 min N of Paris ( stuck on a wrongly dialed frequency ) ., one month aftetr 9/11
2 Mirages sent to intercept . When the Capt sees the first Mirage, ( the other one was behind in position, ) he veers 60 degrees off track and starts diving, comes up on 121,5 and shouts, XXX, we just have ad an airprox with a fighter North of Paris ! ( he descended nearly 10.000 ft with the 2 Mirages right up his tail.) A Portuguese 737 capt (who was also monitoring 121,5 ) reply, XXX with your position , maybe you should call Paris or Reims.. .
Then comes up a voice with s French accent : White and ... 737 , 22 NM south of Cambrai, what are your intentions ?
Ah ! Paris ! replies our pilot, we just had a airmiss with one fighter ..
The voice replied : Sir, I am the fighter ....
The rest is history, but as this was heard in all ATC units below ( who monitor 121,5 ) we kept saying ourselves that the guy was extremely lucky. If this had been in the USA it could have ended up differently..
B737 not talking to anyone since 20 min N of Paris ( stuck on a wrongly dialed frequency ) ., one month aftetr 9/11
2 Mirages sent to intercept . When the Capt sees the first Mirage, ( the other one was behind in position, ) he veers 60 degrees off track and starts diving, comes up on 121,5 and shouts, XXX, we just have ad an airprox with a fighter North of Paris ! ( he descended nearly 10.000 ft with the 2 Mirages right up his tail.) A Portuguese 737 capt (who was also monitoring 121,5 ) reply, XXX with your position , maybe you should call Paris or Reims.. .
Then comes up a voice with s French accent : White and ... 737 , 22 NM south of Cambrai, what are your intentions ?
Ah ! Paris ! replies our pilot, we just had a airmiss with one fighter ..
The voice replied : Sir, I am the fighter ....
The rest is history, but as this was heard in all ATC units below ( who monitor 121,5 ) we kept saying ourselves that the guy was extremely lucky. If this had been in the USA it could have ended up differently..