Low approach at BHX

[rich747]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4744614.stm

Crazy pilot and whats worse I was in Kenilworth all day today, suprised I didn't hear it almost take my head off. Lucky no one was hurt

[C]

Makes you wonder how familiar the pilot(s) was with European airports/regulations...

[Hagar]

That seems a tad too close for comfort. Makes me wonder how often this sort of thing happens without us ever knowing about it.

[C]

That seems a tad too close for comfort. Makes me wonder how often this sort of thing happens without us ever knowing about it.

To be fair, they may have been perfectly legitimate in doing it (on some instrument approaches you can be perfectly within your rights to go straight to you MDH/DH). However, I doubt that Birmingham is an airport where this could be the case!

[Saitek]

Saw that - I wonder why ATC ordered him to stay that low?

[C]

Saw that - I wonder why ATC ordered him to stay that low?

I presume that at a major international airport he would have been performing an ILS, to which the controller would have given him a decision height. There are some circumstances in which one could go straight down to that DH, then just fly along at that height (or just above it if one so wished!). In this case it appears the controller did a good job, noticed this and sent him round...

[Craig.]

I believe and I might be wrong, but I believe BHX is an approach of 1200 feet. I was listening in the other day to the ATC but not that closely. I could just turn on my scanner but I have a feeling its too quiet tonight. So maybe there was a mix up on the altimeter setting?

[C]

I believe and I might be wrong, but I believe BHX is an approach of 1200 feet. I was listening in the other day to the ATC but not that closely. I could just turn on my scanner but I have a feeling its too quiet tonight. So maybe there was a mix up on the altimeter setting?

It all depends on the runway in use, type of approach (ILS and SRE are available at BHX). Either way, on the main at BHX 600ft would be "safe". Just...

[Craig.]

It all depends on the runway in use, type of approach (ILS and SRE are available at BHX). Either way, on the main at BHX 600ft would be "safe". Just...

Thats one of the nice things about Birminghams approach. 15 or 33 your pretty clear of high buildings and obstructions the whole approach.

[Craig.]

Latest report on this. The ILS was switched off for maintenance at the time, but the weather was clear anyway.

[Hagar]

Latest report on this. The ILS was switched off for maintenance at the time, but the weather was clear anyway.

According to some newspaper reports he was attempting to land at the disused RAF airfield at Honiley. That seems the most likely explanation. http://www.controltowers.co.uk/H-K/Honiley.htm


http://www.trevord.com/navaids/hon.htm

[Craig.]

605 sqdn, wern't they the guys who flew the basically suicide mission against the german sub base in Norway. It was under a cliff face and these guys had to destroy the cliff face to destroy the base?

[Hagar]

605 sqdn, wern't they the guys who flew the basically suicide mission against the german sub base in Norway. It was under a cliff face and these guys had to destroy the cliff face to destroy the base?

605 Squadron was based at Honiley in May 1946 after the end of WWII. http://www.mossie.org/squadrons/605_squadron.htm
I think you might be confusing this with that rotten film 633 Squadron.

[Craig.]

Yup your right, LOL. Not a fan then?
I am going to be up at solihull tomorrow, so I might see if we can find this airfield if we have time:)

[Hagar]

Yup your right, LOL. Not a fan then?

Complete & utter load of rubbish.

I am going to be up at solihull tomorrow, so I might see if we can find this airfield if we have time:)

Be careful of the guard dogs. http://www.thor-racing.co.uk/MAP_Directions-93.asp