Any ideas?

electric69

Hi all.


Just wondering if anyone knows anything about an aircraft which looked quite like this
flying very low this morning over west westmeath in an westerly direction at 11:45 and then returning in the opposite direction at 12:00 still at a very low altitude. I was blinded by the sun so i couldnt clearly see any markings but it did have a picture of the world on its vert stabilizer/rudder if it helps?
Never seen something so big flying so low apart from at displays.I would guess it was doing about 150kts.

Any ideas?

xflyer

Sounds like the survey Basler BT-67, turboprop DC-3 conversion is back. It was last here in 2008 for a survey. Generally it flies at about 200 feet on it operations. One of the pilots is Irish, well he was flying it on it's last visit in 2008.

Is this what you saw?

electric69

Yes thats it alright. What survey is it doing and how the hell did they get premission to fly at 200ft over large towns?

I didnt want to say how low it was orginally but i guess its public knowledge now.
Where is it based when in Ireland?Any more info on it?

xflyer

Suffice to say they have special permission to fly that low. I believe areas to be surveyed are leafleted beforehand to stop panic in the streets.

As for what they do, well this is their website http://www.bellgeo.com/

I don't know what they are surveying I don't doubt someone more knowledgeable will come along and explain more. They were based out of Galway last time.

Update: check out this website: http://www.airbornesurvey.com/ All details there. Apparently they are surveying the Mullingar and Limerick areas for mineral deposits. There are even maps.

electric69

Thats pretty interesting alright. I never heard anything about it before today. I didnt know what was going on when i first saw it. I was out for a run this morning and when i looked up i saw this thing coming straight towards me! There are a few hills around the area so they are obviously basing their altitude using a rad alt as opposed to P.A.
Thanks for the help!

andy_g

If its not the one mentioned above it could be the DC3 based out of Weston.

She reclaimed her airworthyness cert a few months back

electric69

andy_g wrote: »

If its not the one mentioned above it could be the DC3 based out of Weston.

She reclaimed her airworthyness cert a few months back

The callsign started with a "C" and it definately had the pic of the earth as shown in xflyer's pic. Unless the one in Weston has these too and premission to fly at 200ft then i dont think it was it.

xflyer

No, Andy it's has to be the Basler. But am glad to hear the C47 in Weston is flyable again. Look forward to seeing that in the air.

Oscar Bravo

I can confirm that it is indeed C-FTGI.Heard him call into Shannon 119.75 several times today to update his location.Other traffic in the vacinity were also made aware of him.

cml387

Saw it on Sunday afternoon just east of Mullingar flying roughly east to west.
Beautiful sight.

Years ago (i.e. nearly thirty years ago) I saw the same thing but they were actually towing a drogue behind the aircraft,also a DC 3 I think.

V Bull

This aircraft was mentioned on the radio during the week as it caused a scare. Some people taught it was in trouble as it was flying so low. It was stated on the radio that it was carrying out an aerial geo survey looking for certain minerals.

Andrew42

V Bull wrote: »

This aircraft was mentioned on the radio during the week as it caused a scare. Some people taught it was in trouble as it was flying so low. It was stated on the radio that it was carrying out an aerial geo survey looking for certain minerals.

Cripes, I hope they don't find oil, the yanks'll declare war and move in.

Michael Angelo.

Im convinced i saw this at eicm (from the motorway)........saturday or sunday last.. can anyone confirm or deny??????

Oscar Bravo

Yep,shes based at Galway.

Aldebaran

This flew over my house twice in the last ten minutes. Gave us a bit of a scare.

lovelyhurler

I heard AA Roadwatch metion it today in one of their bulletins, advising people to "watch out" for it along the M4/M6. Could be kinda scary to be doing 120Kph and see a DC3 at 200 feet up ahead............

Nforce

Saw her a couple of times over Athlone yesterday. Fantastic plan view as it passed overhead....would have been perfect if it had the radial sound too!

I'd love to get a few pics of it...if the crew happen to be watching this topic?!!

Danbo!

lovelyhurler wrote: »

I heard AA Roadwatch metion it today in one of their bulletins, advising people to "watch out" for it along the M4/M6. Could be kinda scary to be doing 120Kph and see a DC3 at 200 feet up ahead............

There was one of those portable LED type signs on the m6 the other day with "warning - low flying aircraft" displayed on it, about 10k west of kinnegad. Slowed down and kept my eyes peeled but alas nothing. It's a very distracting sign for an aviation nut to see.

Michael Angelo.

ill try my novice hand at getting some photos of her...all goin well!!

SniperSight

Got pics of her this morning over Kilteely, Limerick....