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Civvy Pilot Lands At Mil Base

  • 02-07-2008 11:31am
    #1
    Steyr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭


    A newly-qualified pilot landed by mistake at a busy RAF base, instead of a small airfield 10 miles (16km) away.

    He confused RAF Valley on Anglesey with Caernarfon and kets were warned to keep clear as the pilot was picked up by radar approaching the military site.

    After touching down his light aircraft he was escorted to a "holding location" until his details were checked.

    The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the pilot was given a "good talking to" before being allowed to take off later.

    "A recently qualified and inexperienced private pilot mistook RAF Valley for Caernarfon airfield and made an unauthorised landing his his light aircraft," said an MoD spokesman.

    "Air Traffic Control at Valley, who was not communicating with or in control of the aircraft, had been monitoring it on radar and alerted other airfield users of the perceived situation and likely intention of the pilot."

    Following the landing last Tuesday, the pilot was escorted away while the situation was established.

    The pilot was spoken to and advised of the "possible implications" of doing something similar again in the future, he said.

    A report to the MoD is being prepared.

    A spokesman for Caernarfon airfield said: "We don't know the pilot, he's not one our our locals."


Comments

  • #2
    therecklessone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    Sure a professional did it in Derry on wet lease to Ryanair!


  • #3
    kermit_ie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 164 ✭✭kermit_ie


    Derry was slightly different!

    Valley is on the Isle of Anglesea, and is a much larger airfield (3 runways) than Caernarfon, on the mainland, and with 2 short runways.


  • #4
    Local-womanizer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Local-womanizer


    Did they not send something up to try and intercept him?I mean he done well to land at a RAF base!


  • #5
    Hagar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,793 ✭✭✭✭Hagar


    I've landed at Valley for refueling in the past, approx 15 years ago, in a Twin Squirrel when we were short and needed to keep within safety limits for flight times etc whilst en route from Dublin - Manchester - Dublin. All very civilised. no grief whatsoever, just radioed ahead and that was it. That said, we had all been pre-approved by UK Special Branch as non-security risks. Paddies in choppers at the time seemed to worry them a bit for some reason. ;):D


  • #6
    Steyr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    Dont land at RAF Fairford! for RIAT landing fees are £250 and thats WITHOUT a ticket.:eek:


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