Noisey Jet at BOH 20.05 25/9/18
 

A noisy Jet approached 08 at Bournemouth tonight about 20.05.
I could see it at about 1 mile finals from my garden going from right to left. I could see two green lights which would make it inverted if they were nav lights. There were several large increases and decreases of power and after I lost sight of it, it sounded as though it went around and departed to the east. The noise was something like a Tornado or Typhoon on dry power.
Any ideas?

From my friend on the ramp, it was an F35.

Many thanks.
I did wonder if it was an F35. The throttling up and down was reminiscent of the Harriers I used to see when I lived near Yeovilton.
But why did I see two green lights?
I see from images that they have various green lights for formation flying or similar.

Confirmed as being an RAF F-35, radio callsign was "Marham99".

This afternoon at about 1630 a very noisy low flying jet passed over here,near Manningtree,it had a strange whistling overtone to the jet noise.For the last couple of years our jet excitment comes from a pair of Jet Provosts out of North Weald.When I first lived here we had Warthogs entertaining us from Bentwaters/Woodbridge and Tornados on low level trips. F35 ?? Unfortunately I was half through a pint of Woodfordes Wherry at the time so didn't see it.
Colin

Just a curious question, why would a 'loud' military jet want, or need to do an approach to a civil airfield at such a time when there are (still) plenty of military airfields where no disturbances would occur ?

I've since learned it was a Tornado which made 3 passes low and fast. It created a lot of comment on local FB sites.

There were many more military airfields in the 1960s, but in those days it was not uncommon to see Lightnings (usually a pair) doing approaches to Edinburgh Airport.

The reason given then was "practice diversions". I don't know whether that would apply to the above instance(s).

On the subject of F35 diversions, are most runway surfaces able to withstand the jet blast from this very big engine?
I imagine that Bournemouth might be a diversion for Yeovilton.

Practice Diversions by military aircraft have been carried out at both Military and Civil Airfields for many years. If one was to suffer a Real Emergency whilst in the vicinity of BOH it might help to be aware of what Type of Instrument Approach would be available. BOH Air Traffic Controllers may also benefit from the experience dealing with fast moving traffic.

I would say there are not plenty of military airfields left now either.. Count them!

Finally, what makes you think that Loud Military Aircraft do not disturb anyone at military airfields. Strange idea :confused:

JET NOISE -- THE SOUND OF FREEDOM :ok:

F-111s (I think) would occasionally ask to make low approach and go-around at Heathrow late at night., which was always approved. One night one of them lit the sky by dumping fuel and applying re-heat. The populace in Hounslow went bananas and jammed the lines to the local cops - they thought the world had ended! After that we couldn't approve it any more. Happy days.....

I suppose you can see their point:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....95bef7db4a.jpg

F-111 display pilots took advantage of the fact that the fuel dump valves weren't on the swing-wings, for obvious reasons, but in between the engines ...

Fantastic picky Dave!

Another Riverfire this weekend here in Brisvegas without the famous night dump and burn: ISTR that it was unique to the RAAF as the USAF were somewhat more conservative about igniting AVTUR whithout going through an engine first!


Why the great unwashed are so keen to find offence at a bit of passing noise from a Mil Jet (or helicopter) never ceases to disappoint and depress me :rolleyes:

Practice diversions, using BOH as a diversion airfield for Yeovilton makes sense. As I'm sure you're well aware, noise complaints from residents living near airports are more concentrated and powerful than in past times, when ironically passenger/cargo aircraft were very much louder. The penalties for exceeding certain noise levels and certain time curfews are not without a sting for the operators, so they aren't transgressed without good reason. The laws covering military airfields are different due to the need to operate 24/7 if necessary, so anyone who lives in the vicinity would know and be accepting (in as much as they can't change the circumstances). Not everyone likes aircraft, or the noise they emit and especially not 'the sound of freedom' that might cause those of us here to scramble to get a look, the majority only want to see an aircraft when they need to go on holiday etc.

Read the post again.

The Tornado reference was in relation to post #5, asking about a low-flying jet over Essex. Nothing to do with the F-35 at BOH.

The green lights could be the electro illuminescent strip 'formation' panels.

DaveReidUK

My apologies..i misread the thread..post removed.

Reminds me of the time when the phantoms were in service. Quite often I would see a pairs approach followed by a high pitch engine noise, then a low one, then a high one. By the way does anyone know if the temporary flying ban on the RAF F-35 as being lifted?

Yep, they are back flying again.

https://breakingdefense.com/2018/10/...ing-on-hms-qe/