Low flying things and ATC

[RRS_Staffs]

Hi

Im lucky to be able to waste the odd afternoon in the Peak District midweek now and again on 'school days'

Its not unusual to see several helicopters traversing the country, plus the odd light aircraft, the local gliding club and mad men in paragliders

I also see fast jets and other RAF planes eg Hercs flying just above the treetops through the valleys - which are always pretty stunning it must be said

Now my question really comes from watching a pair of Tornadoes tear through the air about 2km from another pair of gliders at the local club

Is the low level airspace regulated?
And if so does that apply to everyone including the paragliders?

And while Im asking numpty questions (thanks for your patience!) do the helipcopters have strict lanes to keep to?

cheers from a non flyer

[grumbledoak]

It is generally pretty well regulated. The paragliders are supposed to read NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) too. As a beginner I wasn't involved in actually doing that, but the instructors were aware if there were going to be low flying jets nearby and choose the locations accordingly.

[mattdaniels]

Airpsace is divided into different classes. Generally speaking outside of control zones (class A) under Flight Level 195 is class G airspace which is - again generally speaking - a free-for-all. You don't need a radio or a transponder to fly in class G airspace. If you are flying Visual Flight Rules (VFR) you just look out of the window and make sure you don't hit anything. Contrary to popular belief, not every aircraft in the sky is "on radar" or "talking to ATC".

[ninja-lewis]

That's the theory - doesn't always work out that way in reality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kARw7SKta5I

[Condi]

My old boss would take off in his light aircraft from the runway down the bottom of the garden (I jest not - the joys of being a farmer and having space to do such things), he would then have to get above the hedge at the end of the field, and go under a set of high voltage power lines just a few meters after the hedge. His wife was always worried whenever he went anywhere, but at 75 years old he had been doing it long enough to take it in his stride.

[LukeSi]

ninja-lewis said:

That's the theory - doesn't always work out that way in reality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kARw7SKta5I

I could quite imagine the tornado coming round for another pass to give the paraglider the finger

[jjones]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=wWoFc4vyPm...

[FUBAR]

Speaking of low flying stuff, a mate sent me this you tube clip

Rolling that thing must take some large kahoonas

At about 1minute it appears the starboard engines where cut, why would that be?

[Munter]

FUBAR said:

At about 1minute it appears the starboard engines where cut, why would that be?

As a military plane I presume they want to show how good it is a still doing stuff despite damage/engine failures.

[pacman1]

jjones said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=wWoFc4vyPm...

Sabre?

[pacman1]

FUBAR said:

Speaking of low flying stuff, a mate sent me this you tube clip

Rolling that thing must take some large kahoonas

At about 1minute it appears the starboard engines where cut, why would that be?

Showing its capability to fly on two I'd say.

Feck me, some display that!