Apaches and Chinocks flying towards London

[jontennant]

Does anyone know why and if these helicopters land in London. Often see these 'copters passing along the Thames towards London in pairs but curious to know what they're doing.

[B16JUS]

sometimes see them come down at a army place at the top of moorgate near old street

[ninja-lewis]

Mainly because there is a heliroute along the Thames, which is convenient for crossing London (to and from exercises, Olidham, ranges etc) rather than taking the long way round.

[BLUETHUNDER]

B16JUS said:

sometimes see them come down at a army place at the top of moorgate near old street

That would be the HAC in city road.

[M-J-B]

I'm sure I was once told that any small aircraft flying over London (certainly those with only 1 engine) must as far as possible use the Thames as the flight path just in case it has a problem and has to ditch.

I wonder if that's why you see the Thames being used so often as a route in/through?

May be an old wives tale, but would seem to make some sense.

[ninja-lewis]

M-J-B said:

I'm sure I was once told that any small aircraft flying over London (certainly those with only 1 engine) must as far as possible use the Thames as the flight path just in case it has a problem and has to ditch.

I wonder if that's why you see the Thames being used so often as a route in/through?

May be an old wives tale, but would seem to make some sense.

I'm not sure if light aircraft are even allowed over Central London. Certainly Harriers are never allowed to take part in flypasts due to their single engine and poor glide characteristics (at least the Red Arrows might be able to make it to an open area). You also have to bare in mind that London is some of most congested airspace and all the buildings probably interfere with primary radar so unless light aircraft have transponders ATC may not let them in anyway.

But yeah, helicopters are limited to certain routes designed to follow as many open spaces (whether parks or the Thames) as possible in case of an emergency. You can find out more here.

Edited by ninja-lewis on Sunday 16th August 14:45

[Not Ideal]

Just saw a Chinook fly over Chelsea...was probably over the Thames as it was south from me,

[anonymous-user]

Went straight over me in Langdon Hills Essex, I took a couple of photos as it went over.

[Not Ideal]

And again this evening..!! Heading the other way over Chelsea this time.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Over the last two months i have seen a lot of night flying of Apaches around the time between. 23.00-00.00. Nearly always flying west to east. Middle Wallop to Wattisham perhaps??

[roryfizz]

Just had a merlin fly over putney over the river. Was dark so couldnt tell if navy or RAF. I often see apaches fly over at night in pairs as military helicopters seem to have a very destinctive noise, a lot louder and deeper than civvie helicopters.