Kula66 Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 True, but certainly the RAF still spends loads of time screaming around Wales at very low level. As you say, its like BFM ... its the foundations on which the rest is built.
Crusty Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 Here in Wales the f15e from lakenheath and mildenhall regularly practice low level oo err...missus:animals_bunny: ** Anti-Pastie**
Kula66 Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 Great picture Crusty! A mate of mine does para-gliding in Wales and says there is nothing more scary than hanging under a piece of material with jets screaming UNDER you ... They won't see you on radar and visually you haven't got a chance and if they hit you ... SPLAT!
Guest IguanaKing Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 Tell your mate that the "splat" will also, very likely, end the life of the Mud Hen driver, along with his WSO. I've had a few of my own mates killed by something as harmless as a duck at low altitude.
Kula66 Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 Yep ... I think he was going to buy a radar reflector, but I don't know how much use it would be. Its usually Tornados apparently ...
Guest IguanaKing Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 Radar reflectors won't do him much good, actually...he's a small target...and those Tornados and/or Mud Hens are moving MUCH too quickly for it to make much difference. All a radar reflector will do is give the Tornado driver an extra second or two to yell "OH SH**!!!" before he dies. Your mate...well...he won't notice an appreciable difference. I can equip him with a portable transponder though, and he can safely para-glide to his heart's content. ;)
Kula66 Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 Hmmm ... how heavy are they? The other problem is if you see one scream past ... is where is his wing man!
Guest IguanaKing Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 We're talking an extra 10 pounds in his gear...3 for the transponder and MAYBE 7 pounds for the 12volt battery. The antenna weight is negligible, and it may or may not cause cancer or birth defects in him or his offspring. ;) Seriously, 1090 MHz, may or may not slowly kill him, and there's absolutely no proof it will have ANY negative effect on him...but it will DEFINITELY save his butt, because ATC will know EXACTLY where he is...and those Hens and Tornados will never come anywhere near him.
Kula66 Posted July 10, 2006 Posted July 10, 2006 Mentioned this to my mate and apparently, the last thing you do is carry a transponder or call in a NOTAM. 'Cos, it attracts Tornados like bees to a honey pot!! Carry a transponder and every Tornado driver in the RAF comes over to have a look at the para-gliders!
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