Swiss AF woes

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Swiss AF woes

Postby ozzy72 » Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:53 am

Voters in Switzerland are going to the polls to decide on a proposal which would ban the Swiss air force from flying over alpine tourist areas.
Swiss F/A-18 Hornets and Tiger F-5s fly from air bases deep in the Alps in areas which rely heavily on tourism.
Supporters of the proposal say jet noise is harming the environment, the local economy and the tourist trade.
But opponents say Swiss pilots need to train in the mountains, and forbidding them could threaten national security.
The Swiss air force has always been proud of its ability to fly fast and low through those alpine valleys and a lot of flight training takes place there, but many locals are fed up.
The F/A-18, they say, is one of the noisiest jets in the world, emitting up to 124 decibels on take off.
Supporters of the proposals to ban jet fighters in tourist areas say the environment is being damaged and tourists put off.
It is certainly true that skiing or hiking to the accompaniment of the roar of a jet and a deafening sonic boom isn't exactly pleasant.
But the Swiss defence ministry says banning flights in the mountains would threaten the existence of the air force, because if Swiss pilots can't cope with their own native terrain, what's the point of having an air force at all?
Supporters of the proposal, many of whom question neutral Switzerland's devotion to expensive fighter jets, may be hoping voters reply to that question with the answer: none whatsoever.
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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby expat » Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:21 am

I read about this in the paper this morning. I do see both sides of the coin, but one side slightly more than the other. Hopefully all the Swiss spotters that go to the air display in the mountains (I can't remember the name of the place, but it was??? on my list of places to go to) where you are at eye level with the pilots will tick a few yes carry on boxes.
Seems strange that a national vote would take place for such a thing, mind you we are just use to being told what to do by blair/brown/brussels that we no nothing else.
At my airport we have a strong anti lobby, funnily enough all the people who live under the approach/take off path........................who knew  beforehand that the airport was there, but still chose to build houses and why? Because the land was really cheap. Now they are campaigning against night flights. F#cking nimby's

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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby Craig. » Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:37 am

Anyone surprised? This is a country that hates the car and would be happy with 1890's technology. ::)
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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby Hagar » Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:16 am

Hopefully all the Swiss spotters that go to the air display in the mountains (I can't remember the name of the place, but it was??? on my list of places to go to) where you are at eye level with the pilots will tick a few yes carry on boxes.

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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby mrjake2002 » Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:07 am

Yep Axalp has always been on my list of foreign shows to attend. Lets hope this doesn't go through.  :-/
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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby expat » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:47 am

Thanks Hagar, I could not remember for the life of me................noticed it happens a lot since I turned 40 ;D

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2. And, if you have time to write the fault on a napkin and attach to it to the yoke.........you have time to write it in the tech log....see point 1.
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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby Isak922 » Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:44 am

They're complaining about seeing high-performance jets do their thing; with sonic booms?!

Crazy!

I'd gladly trade places ;D ;D
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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby The Ruptured Duck » Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:02 pm

Why not compromise- No ski resort flyovers (not like there will be anymore snow in Switzerland after global warming anyway); and in return use the airforce as a tourist destination (come see our pilots fly below your belt!)?

Ya, I know it'll never happen.

While these reactionist jerks are at it, why not just ban all flight alltogether?  I think the whole ****ing world would be better off without ****ing airplanes poluting our ****ing air flying over our ****ing houses.  I for one am sick of being protected by a strong air force, having the freedom to go anywhere in the world in a day, having my fruitcakes shipped overnight from hong kong, delivering me to a hospital when I'm stupid and crash my car, being entertained at airshows, found when I'm stupid again and get lost in the wilderness, and having a liver delivered to me when I nearly drink myself to death.

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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby DONTREADMYUSERNAME » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:12 pm

:-/..........

I don't know about you guys but I'd find it AMAZINGLY cool to be skiing to the sound of an F/A-18 screaming past me at mach 1.......



but thats just me  ;D
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Re: Swiss AF woes

Postby The Ruptured Duck » Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:03 am

[quote] :-/..........

I don't know about you guys but I'd find it AMAZINGLY cool to be skiing to the sound of an F/A-18 screaming past me at mach 1.......



but thats just me
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