Airbus intercepted by Mirage 2000
Discussion
I would be absolutely bricking it if I was in the airbus...
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=94f_1306963246
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=94f_1306963246
thatone1967 said:
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
Why?
I was under the impression that they only sent up interceptors for a reason... ie: lost contact with the pilot, and if neccassary, lethal force....
thatone1967 said:
I was under the impression that they only sent up interceptors for a reason... ie: lost contact with the pilot, and if neccassary, lethal force....
Interceptors need to practice...intercepting I guess, seems logical to use airliners since there are plenty around. As long as you let them know you're coming it's not like it inconveniences anybody. TVR1 said:
you know there is a thread on pprune about this? Its similar to pistonheads pay per post...but its called pay per pic? Basically, if on an excercise etc the warbird pilot spots a civil aircraft, if he can get a pic of it without the other pilot getting one back, guess who buys the drinks that night.
Hmm, that seems awfully Top Gun. Still, if fighter pilots were 'normal' they wouldn't be fighter pilots...Abeam is no problem, it's when he goes behind you need to worry.
I am not a proper pilot just a student PPL but it seems like the military aircraft followed the Air Law rules for interception.
Still, if I was bimbling along from Goodwood to Biggin Hill in my phut-phut with my stop watch and compass in hand doing the maths and double checking I was outside of controlled airspace whilst looking out the window to avoid anything flying directly at me and making sure I wasn't plummeting on to a school full of Daily Mail readers children, this would definitely focus my attention.
Still, if I was bimbling along from Goodwood to Biggin Hill in my phut-phut with my stop watch and compass in hand doing the maths and double checking I was outside of controlled airspace whilst looking out the window to avoid anything flying directly at me and making sure I wasn't plummeting on to a school full of Daily Mail readers children, this would definitely focus my attention.
Whatever fun and games the pilots are up to it's to be hoped they share their japes with the passengers.
Or at least buy them a stiff drink.
I dislike flying as it is but if a fighter pulled up along side - to my mind that means intercept and possibility of being shot down, for the greater good (the greater good) - I'd s
t myself.
Or at least buy them a stiff drink.
I dislike flying as it is but if a fighter pulled up along side - to my mind that means intercept and possibility of being shot down, for the greater good (the greater good) - I'd s
t myself.Hackney said:
I dislike flying as it is but if a fighter pulled up along side - to my mind that means intercept and possibility of being shot down, for the greater good (the greater good) - I'd st myself.
I'd wave or maybe grab some paper and some lipstick from somewhere and write 'WE'RE OK' and hold it up to the window. Passengers waving would indicate 'not hijacked' (unless the terrorsists tell them to wave of course) - dear me, where's Bruce Willis when you need him?t myself.I like New Zealand. Nobody tries to blow you up there.
Simpo Two said:
Personally I'd want to do a barrel roll around Joe Airliner. But I expect that is a Bad Thing...
When I was flying the larger a/c types I would quite regularly ask London Mil/Scottish Mil/Dutch Mil if there was any 'Trade' about and that we were happy for the practice intercept. There is a NATO Codeword for this but I believe it is Restricted so I won't mention it here.The Fighters would formate a whole lot closer than the Mirage in that video.
Probably the most impressive was down near Gibraltar - 2 x F14s formated, 1 on either wing. They then proceeded to barrel roll around me, 1 going above, the other going below. You don't really have any answer to that!
Probably the most embarrassing was on a trip back from Bruggen, Dutch Mil asked if we would countenance an intercept to which I agreed. Cue one F16 in close on the starboard (and I mean close!). My Co was noted for his huge porn collection (we had an agreement that he would keep it hidden lest I batter him over the head with the rudder gust lock). Anyway, he decides to place the centre spread of some smut magazine up against the cockpit windows. I did tell him that he should be careful because the RNlAF had female F16 pilots but he didn't listen. Cue said pilot raising her visor and flipping him the finger, followed by 2 barrels around my a/c followed by a vertical burner climb.
The Spice Girls had it wrong, that was 'Girl Power'!
Edited by Ginetta G15 Girl on Friday 3rd June 23:53
thatone1967 said:
I was under the impression that they only sent up interceptors for a reason... ie: lost contact with the pilot, and if neccassary, lethal force....
I would imagine that if the airliner was intercepted for the reasons you allude then you would know about it!Ie: Hijacked a/c - well you'd know about that!
a/c malfunction requiring an airborne inspection - I'd imagine the Captain would come up on the Public Address to allay passenger fears.
Practice intercept - ditto.
Intercept because airliner has lost Comms - well there are visual signals for this that the Mirage wasn't doing, aside from the fact he'd formate further forward (ie so the Flight Deck can see him).
You do realise that for a fighter to go 'weapons hot' there are a number of switch selections to be made even before the 'Stick Top' goes live?
Furthermore, at no time was that Mirage 'in close', so (trying to allay your fears) it's nothing to worry about really
Chuck328 said:
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
Why?
You've obviously not operated in the commercial world have you? 
I always chose the airline i fly, based on 'does this airline employ ex RAF/French/SA airforce pilots? Only on the basis that when it all goes wrong, you can at least know that they have actually 'flown' an aircraft, rather than spent hours on a sim.
Look up as many air crashes as you like...but the truth still remains, that most of the unrecoverables, where still recovered by ex military pilots. Gimli Glider,United 232...and many more. When put in a simulator....civilian pilots where dead.
So buzz me when im flying! crack on, and ill have a beer for you when i get back down to terra firma!
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