What Flew into Casement?

DOCARCH

Anybody know what just flew into Casement?

I live in Rathfarnham under approach to Casement and heard a 'strange' aircraft flying overhead. Went outside to see a 'fighter jet' of some sorts on approach to land. This was about 16.10

Anybody know?

Another one just passed over at 16.25

Tabnabs

I saw it too, for all the world it looked like a harrier, but probably not. Something unusual in the military jet department.

andy_g

welcome ireland into the black jet age. shhhhh dont talk about it on boards the men in black will knock at your door

Tenger

DOCARCH wrote: »

I live in Rathfarnham under approach to Casement and heard a 'strange' aircraft flying overhead. Went outside to see a 'fighter jet' of some sorts on approach to land. This was about 16.10

Another one just passed over at 16.25

Heard it myself. Am beside the Basketball arena. Looked out but didn't actually see it. very unusual engine noise, very deep throaty roar. Had the baby in my arms so couldn't run out to the balcony.

ian_m

One of the Eurocopters was parked in a field in Ballymount. I saw it at 16.00hrs.

Fratton Fred

andy_g wrote: »

welcome ireland into the black jet age. shhhhh dont talk about it on boards the men in black will knock at your door

The first time I went to Cyprus, about 25 years ago, we were staying with my uncle who was then in the Royal signals. He told us about a Blackbird based at RAF Akrotiri which "Wasn't there". At the time we thought he was joking, until later that week we were sat on the beach at Lady's Mile and watched one taking off and landing.

there were about 30 USAF personnel based at Akrotiri, all of whom would deny they were there for anything other than cooperation. There were no SR71s based there, there never had been and they would deny any knowledge of the plane, despite being able to sit on a beach 1/2 a mile away and watch it.:D

I'm not sure how long they were there for as there have been U2s there for a long time I believe, but despite not being able to find any proof, I can assure, we saw one.

Wing Walker

Can't be 100% on this but a friend (who's into all things airborne) told me recently that the Air Corp were training with Tornado aircraft. Apparently they're (not sure on numbers) on loan from the RAF.

I'm living in the area and have yet to see one but perhaps that's what was flying into Casement?

helimachoptor

Just heard it now but can't see it. (citywest)

Mr Benevolent

Air Corp were training with Tornado aircraft.

Aircraft and crew or just aircraft? I would seriously doubt they'd retrain AC crew to fly Tornadoes - they're massively different to our PC9s. At the same time it;s hard to mistake a Harrier for a Tornado. That said, it's more likely to have been a Tornado (Harriers don't have great range).

Still in the dark! Anyone got a blurred pic?

Tenger

Wing Walker wrote: »

Can't be 100% on this but a friend (who's into all things airborne) told me recently that the Air Corp were training with Tornado aircraft. Apparently they're (not sure on numbers) on loan from the RAF.?

Having been close to a Mirage doing a flyby I would say the engine noise was similar. It was different to the noise of the Govt jet or the DC8 which has been used recently for Chad resupply.

If I hear it again the baby is coming out to the balcomny with me to gawk!

Steyr

They were French Air Force Alpha Jets.

Tabnabs

Meh, not a million miles away with harrier id

helimachoptor

Steyr wrote: »

They were French Air Force Alpha Jets.

How come they're over here?

Wing Walker

Confab wrote: »

Aircraft and crew or just aircraft?

It was in the middle of last year when I heard this. I was told that the RAF were training some members of the AC to fly tornados. But again, I have no direct proof to back this up, only the word of an air nut buddy.

But given the current climate, I suppose there's absolutely no chance of getting anything like that, tornado or otherwise, for our lads.

Steyr, are the French lads over here for training or just a flying visit?

DOCARCH

I Googled Tornados, Alphas and Harriers.

From pics on net, what I saw (twice) yesterday looked like Alphas but the problem is, as I am right under the flight path I only had a view from under so can't be sure.

V Bull

Steyr is correct as usual and on the ball, they were three French Alpha jets over on a training mission, I believe that they are halfway through their training course, see link http://www.airmil.org/aviecole.html :cool:

They had to wait a while this morning before heading off home due to bad weather.

vulcan57

The FAF Alphajets seem to be quite regular visitors.

Steyr

Hi all, thanks V Bull they were:



E23 314-UG 'FAF6440' arrived @ 16:10

E49 314-LB 'FAF6441' arrived @ 16:14

E156 314-TI 'FAF6442' arrived @ 1629



Cheers.

DOCARCH

Obviously wasn't going mad!

Steyr

Nope!:)

Preset No.3

Steyr wrote: »

They were French Air Force Alpha Jets.

French Air Force who seriously pissed off a rather busy Dublin approach and told them in no uncertain terms to pay attention at all times. Damn lazy ass french pilots. 3 passed over my area for R/W 29.

Preset No.3

Steyr wrote: »

Hi all, thanks V Bull they were:



E23 314-UG 'FAF6440' arrived @ 16:10

E49 314-LB 'FAF6441' arrived @ 16:14

E156 314-TI 'FAF6442' arrived @ 1629



Cheers.

6442 was the naughty boy!

muppet01

V Bull wrote: »

Steyr is correct as usual and on the ball, they were three French Alpha jets over on a training mission, I believe that they are halfway through their training course, see link http://www.airmil.org/aviecole.html :cool:

They had to wait a while this morning before heading off home due to bad weather.

why are the french airforce using ireland for training.also any info to prove if a/c pilots rated on tornados?????

Tenger

Steyr wrote: »

They were French Air Force Alpha Jets.

Any info on possible flight times again...am off at moment so could try for a pic on approach from beneath

Steyr

Bramble wrote: »

Any info on possible flight times again...am off at moment so could try for a pic on approach from beneath

They have long since departed. Sorry.

pclancy

What did he do to piss off approach?

Tenger

Steyr wrote: »

They have long since departed. Sorry.

I'll get over it!

peasant

Didn't know the good old "Luftmofa" (air moped) is still flying and in service

There was talk of phasing them out soon in 1990 when I was a foot soldier in the Luftwaffe

Preset No.3

pclancy wrote: »

What did he do to piss off approach?

Approach was calling 6442 at least 4 or 5 times with no response. When he finally did make contact, there was some strong words. I was listening on 121.100

Tenger

peasant wrote: »

....... 1990 when I was a foot soldier in the Luftwaffe

Its non PC but thats a great line!

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Approach was calling 6442 at least 4 or 5 times with no response.

He's French......probably spotted a bird he had to get a better look at!

"Bonjour,je suis un pilot de l'armee de l'air"

Aidan Disney

I can confirm that they were French Air Force. I was in the ACC at the time. The pilots had no clue..:rolleyes:

diverdriver

why are the french airforce using ireland for training.also any info to prove if a/c pilots rated on tornados?????

The French frequently visit Bal on training missions. Usually in something rather duller than Alpha jets. The Americans drop in too from time to time as do the British and Spanish.

As for the Tornado rumour, well I've heard some daft ones in my time:rolleyes: If anything the Air Corps were getting joyrides in the back seat that's all. Fast jet training is a long hard slog with a big washout rate. No chance of Air Corps pilots being trained.

Red Sleeping Beauty

I don't like foriegn military aircraft using Ireland. We're supposed to be neutral

Fratton Fred

alan dunne 27 wrote: »

I don't like foriegn military aircraft using Ireland. We're supposed to be neutral

no no no, being neutral is an excuse for not having jets, not for refusing them entry:D

Steyr

alan dunne 27 wrote: »

I don't like foriegn military aircraft using Ireland. We're supposed to be neutral

The more foreign Mil over here the better, it can only do good to help our boys train better and also give their tips to other Nations too thats why Air Forces that operated equipment that we had used to come here such as the Belgians with their Marchettis when we had them, and Ireland is not Neutral in order to be Neutral you need to have the capability to defend yourself and we dont, all we have is a policy of Non Alignment.

FlutterinBantam

diverdriver wrote: »

The French frequently visit Bal on training missions. Usually in something rather duller than Alpha jets. The Americans drop in too from time to time as do the British and Spanish.

As for the Tornado rumour, well I've heard some daft ones in my time:rolleyes: If anything the Air Corps were getting joyrides in the back seat that's all. Fast jet training is a long hard slog with a big washout rate. No chance of Air Corps pilots being trained.

Absolutely, huge washout , over 95% ab initio.

Others go on to excellent and rewarding.flying careers, but fast jets.. different ballgame.

Red Sleeping Beauty

Ah see I'll dip out here. I don't like armies or related military stuffs. Costa Rica's got no military I think.

diverdriver

Go and live there then Alan, leave the rest of us to live in the real world. byee:p

Red Sleeping Beauty

Haha!
Does Mister O'Leary fly there ?

pclancy

Meh. We dont need an airforce any more then we need nuclear submarines. Search and Rescue is all there should be. Total waste of money imo. Let Cowen and his troop get an Aer Lingus flight, the cops fly there own choppers and give the navy the Casa.

Scruff

oh dear jebus! lock this thread before it becomes yet another inane arguement about whether we should have an airforce\army\navy\TG4 debate!

tracker-man

Haha :pac:
Its laughable to think the IAC are training on tornados! I hope the OP who suggested that was having a joke not being serious

Steyr

tracker-man wrote: »

Haha :pac:
Its laughable to think the IAC are training on tornados! I hope the OP who suggested that was having a joke not being serious

Not really, there were rumours about this on other well informed forums.

tracker-man

Steyr wrote: »

Not really, there were rumours about this on other well informed forums.

Forums such as..?

Steyr

tracker-man wrote: »

Forums such as..?

Old ones whose names escape me but rumours are just that so as far as i know it was all just talk, i just remember seeing a topic about it posted somewhere thats all.

DOCARCH

3 jets just flown into Baldonnel, each arriving at approx. 10 minute intervals.

More French 'tourists'?

Tenger

was just thinking of posting here myself!

Only saw 2 of them and they looked to be Alpha Jets again. Well what I assume an Alpha jet would look like from below!

V Bull

Yeh guys, the French are back alright.

Not sure, but I think there are 4 of them.

All French Alpha Jets again, caught the tail-end-charlie on camera as he flew over.........

IMG_3883.JPG

IMG_3884.JPG

IMG_3885.JPG

IMG_3880.JPG

DOCARCH

Well captured V Bull - that be them alright!

Steyr

Yup indeed 3 FAF Alpha Jets went into Baldonnel, one of them did a go around on 29.

Im sure the WAP guys will have the digits sooner or later. Also they routed through RAF Valley at 15:30 for a flyby as i got the above info on a Valley Spotter site.

DOCARCH

On their way home now! Two just flew overhead, heading sout east, at relatively high altitude and speed.