Why were two Ryanair jets circling the Peak District?
Discussion
At about quarter to midnight last night I looked out of the window and two aircraft caught my eye. They were seven or eight miles away from me and somewhere over the High Peak area. I don't know much about this sort of thing but if I had to guess I would say they were at about 10000ft.
Their behaviour and proximity to each other held my attention. One appeared to be quite closely 'following' the other, flying in circles. I watched them for several minutes when another aircraft approached and seemed to join them. Eventually one of them turned north and passed out of my view. I'm pretty sure this one was propeller driven. It may have gone on to land at Manchester. Gradually, the other two peeled off and followed, again passing out of my view and possibly heading for Manchester. These were jets.
I had a quick look at Flight Radar 24 this morning and two Ryanair aircraft were indeed circling over the High Peak at the time. I couldn't find the prop. aircraft on there.
What might they have been doing?
Their behaviour and proximity to each other held my attention. One appeared to be quite closely 'following' the other, flying in circles. I watched them for several minutes when another aircraft approached and seemed to join them. Eventually one of them turned north and passed out of my view. I'm pretty sure this one was propeller driven. It may have gone on to land at Manchester. Gradually, the other two peeled off and followed, again passing out of my view and possibly heading for Manchester. These were jets.
I had a quick look at Flight Radar 24 this morning and two Ryanair aircraft were indeed circling over the High Peak at the time. I couldn't find the prop. aircraft on there.
What might they have been doing?
RPastry said:
That's what they appeared to be doing; I was wondering why. Traffic into and out of Manchester appeared to be quite light, if that makes a difference.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff