Breitling Super Connie in the UK
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As someone who often goes for walks in the Western Swiss countryside between Basel and Lake Leman (the Breitling Connie's natural habitat, especially on those BSL-BSL weekend flights), my advice from experience is: they fly VFR and when I've seen it, it's been at maybe 2000 feet, and probably much lower. So the first sign I get is the throaty tone of four radial engines. Then she comes into view.
If you want a picture, you better have your long lens mounted and ready, because by the time you see her, you've got a few seconds before she shows you her triple tail.
So, look low on the horizon, and use a divining rod: they pick up those low-frequency Superconnie vibrations first.
If you want a picture, you better have your long lens mounted and ready, because by the time you see her, you've got a few seconds before she shows you her triple tail.
So, look low on the horizon, and use a divining rod: they pick up those low-frequency Superconnie vibrations first.
Somehow I doubt that the fantastic Connie will be floating through the London TMA at 2,000ft, but I live in hope 
Will it route north or south of the capital I wonder ? Btw, will it be static or flying at Fairford ?
SHJ
Will it route north or south of the capital I wonder ? Btw, will it be static or flying at Fairford ?SHJ
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Switzerland to Fairford should route south of London. Most Swiss flights route over LYD and towards OCK so I would expect that to do something similar. But, of course, I might be totally wrong. I would be surprised if it came all the way VFR.
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My only experience is around here, and last month, when yet again the cows around here got buzzed by a low-flying Connie, I did some digging around.
On the FAQ, they state (in addition to refusing to give any information on where and when they'll fly by somewhere):
Of course, the question is posed from the perspective of what they're doing around their Basel base; and I think they took it to NA in the past, so who knows at what altitude they'll be doing it?
On the FAQ, they state (in addition to refusing to give any information on where and when they'll fly by somewhere):
My father will celebrate his birthday e.g. this February – where do you fly around that date?
For meteorological reasons we can fly in the summer season only (VFR, low-altitude flights). Our season is from late May to early October.
For meteorological reasons we can fly in the summer season only (VFR, low-altitude flights). Our season is from late May to early October.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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The Pilatus PC-21 prototype HB-HZD apparently zipped over Purley a short while ago, now in the Swindon area so presumably on its way to Fairford - wonder if the Connie will follow suit. I'll need to be looking out of the office window (in Croydon) though...
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Dang!
Friend just eamiled me a pic of her gracefully flying westwards along the South Coast past Worthing about 4pm...
Friend just eamiled me a pic of her gracefully flying westwards along the South Coast past Worthing about 4pm...
Gnome de PPRuNe
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You would have done - about 4pm with an Aztec. Lucky so and so!
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I saw it flying over Dover Harbour in company with what looked remarkably like a Short Skyvan. I Have pictures of both Connie with the Breitling B clearly visible on the fins and the Skyvan. I am away from base until tomorrow so will upload photos then.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Ahhhhh....
Oddly enough the pic my mate sent me from Worthing appeared to be with an Aztec - wonder if there were various air to air assignments set up...
Oddly enough the pic my mate sent me from Worthing appeared to be with an Aztec - wonder if there were various air to air assignments set up...
Last edited by treadigraph; 22nd Jul 2013 at 20:41.
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