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C-17 Globemaster over Birmingham?

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Harbornite

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I might be clutching at straws with this request (but who cares). I was sat outside about 10 minutes ago when a 4 engined jet aircraft flew southbound over my location (Birmingham). It wasn't on flightradar and I could clearly see that it wasn't an A380. I could also tell that it wasn't a C-130 due to the engines and the shape of the wings. Does anyone have any info with regard to this, or any other sitings? Cheers.
 
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richw

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I caught this over liskeard about 1430. We are on the approach and exit paths from Newquay/RAF St Mawgan.

I suspect we are around 90 mins flight time from Birmingham,
This photo was taking off I assume as going away from Newquay.

Newquay is used to fly be and aer lingus twin prop craft.
 

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Harbornite

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Good catch, needless to say I was rather hacked off because I didn't have m camera with me for once, despite me being in my garden at the time. Anyway, you saw it flying northeast but what I saw was going Southwest.
 

richw

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Good catch, needless to say I was rather hacked off because I didn't have m camera with me for once, despite me being in my garden at the time. Anyway, you saw it flying northeast but what I saw was going Southwest.

That was just an IPhone shot, full zoom. It caught my eye due to 4 engines instead of the normal twin props.
 

Rich McLean

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C-17s are regular visitors to Birmingham. A lot of Aeromed flights get flown in and out of there to transport patients to and from RCDM Birmingham. You will also see C130s and A330-MRTTs fly in and out for the same reason.
 

Harbornite

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C-17s are regular visitors to Birmingham. A lot of Aeromed flights get flown in and out of there to transport patients to and from RCDM Birmingham. You will also see C130s and A330-MRTTs fly in and out for the same reason.

Thanks for the response. I've seen Chinooks flying over to the QE hospital, but never a C-130 or C-17 so this is news to be. Next time I will hopefully be able to take a picture of what I saw, as information seems to be scarce. How many have you seen heading here?
 

Rich McLean

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Thanks for the response. I've seen Chinooks flying over to the QE hospital, but never a C-130 or C-17 so this is news to be. Next time I will hopefully be able to take a picture of what I saw, as information seems to be scarce. How many have you seen heading here?

Well they take off and land at BHX (Birmingham Airport). I used to be based at RAF Brize Norton in my RAF days (now reservist), which is where these aircraft are based. I have also worked in roles where I worked with this info. The QE has a Forces unit, and flying direct from Theatre to BHX enables a speedy transit to hospital, rather than landing at Brize and onward road transport. Sometimes an air ambulance will meet at BHX to provide a swift exchange and get the patient to the QE as fast as possible.

They come in and out as and when required, and Aeromed flight details or information are never posted into the public domain for very good reason. Only those that need to know will have the relevant info. This is to reduce the chance of a terrorist attack being planned or other activity which poses a risk to the public and/or aircraft.

BHX is also used as a Freight Air head from time to time, exchanging freight from a Civillian aircraft to a Military aircraft in order to save time and money.
 
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Harbornite

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Well they take off and land at BHX (Birmingham Airport). I used to be based at RAF Brize Norton in my RAF days (now reservist), which is where these aircraft are based. I have also worked in roles where I worked with this info. The QE has a Forces unit, and flying direct from Theatre to BHX enables a speedy transit to hospital, rather than landing at Brize and onward road transport. Sometimes an air ambulance will meet at BHX to provide a swift exchange and get the patient to the QE as fast as possible.

They come in and out as and when required, and Aeromed flight details or information are never posted into the public domain for very good reason. Only those that need to know will have the relevant info. This is to reduce the chance of a terrorist attack being planned or other activity which poses a risk to the public and/or aircraft.

BHX is also used as a Freight Air head from time to time, exchanging freight from a Civillian aircraft to a Military aircraft in order to save time and money.

Thanks for sharing this, I wish that I had recorded it flying overheard because it was rather low. Do you know the frequency of such flights or ar they on an ad-hoc basis?
 

Peter Mugridge

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It was an A400. Serial ZM403. Doing ILS approaches and go arounds at BHX runway 33. Call sign was BDN69

Are we talking about the same flight? The OP reported a jet aircraft; the A400 has propellors ( or fans given the number of blades! ).
 

richw

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There has been one training to land at Exeter airport recently. Quite an impressive sight with the Cathedral below it.

I'm at liskeard. I've assumed I'm on the approach/ exit from Newquay but could possibly be Exeter approach? Normally see FLyBe planes coming over and occasional jets
 

Harbornite

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Are we talking about the same flight? The OP reported a jet aircraft; the A400 has propellors ( or fans given the number of blades! ).

I did assume that it had jets at the time, but I forgot about the A400M. It seems as though my judgement was clouded.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It was an A400. Serial ZM403. Doing ILS approaches and go arounds at BHX runway 33. Call sign was BDN69

Thanks, that's shown me up, if only I'd had my camera on me! Where did you get this gen from?
 

kegdr

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I'm at liskeard. I've assumed I'm on the approach/ exit from Newquay but could possibly be Exeter approach? Normally see FLyBe planes coming over and occasional jets

Nope, you were correct for yesterday's flight. C-17 ZZ175 as RRR826 performed at least one approach to Newquay. :)
 

Minilad

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Any military stuff at BHX is on a ad-hoc basis. No set plan just as and when required. Either Medivac or training. Occasionally to refuel or pilot breaks on certain "secretive" stuff
 

Harbornite

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Gotcha. On another note, I've just seen an AN124 en route from Minneapolis to Brize Norton, not a common sight in these parts.
 

Harbornite

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That's a shame. I was very lucky because I happened to wander outside just as it was flying past, I hadn't check flight radar or anything!
 

Rich McLean

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As already pointed out above, all Military flights to and from BHX are all Ad-Hoc and information of when and where they fly is kept on a Need-to-know basis, following MOD Security protocols for handling data.

I can't expand any more than I already have or provide any more information. Those releasing flight info into Gen Groups and then onto here are likely to get the originator identified and their job put at serious risk.

Apologies, but security is not a dirty word. If you want to see C17's, then do what most plane spotters do and park up at the 08 end of the Brize Norton Runway, which can be accessed by road. You will see them take off and land for most of the day until your hearts content
 
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Harbornite

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As already pointed out above, all Military flights to and from BHX are all Ad-Hoc and information of when and where they fly is kept on a Need-to-know basis, following MOD Security protocols for handling data.

I can't expand any more than I already have or provide any more information. Those releasing flight info into Gen Groups and then onto here are likely to get the originator identified and their job put at serious risk.

Apologies, but security is not a dirty word

It seems I missed your original comment when you said that, but I can fully see where you are coming from.
 

Rich McLean

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It seems I missed your original comment when you said that, but I can fully see where you are coming from.

Like I put above though, a visit to Brize Norton Village, and parking at the 08 end of the Runway is the best way to capture some great shots of C-17s. Most who park there have channel scanners as well. It's only a 1 1/2 drive from Birmingham over the North Cotswolds.
 

Harbornite

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Like I put above though, a visit to Brize Norton Village, and parking at the end of the 08 end of the Runway is the best way to capture some great shots of C-17s. Most who park there have channel scanners as well. It's only a 1 1/2 drive from Birmingham over the North Cotswolds.


I'll consider it. It's fully understandable as to why the RAF want a degree of secrecy, but I am aware that some of their flights from Brize Norton do appear on flightradar, the aircraft in question being Voyagers. Anyway it was an A400 I saw, but C-17s are fine too.
 
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Rich McLean

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I'll consider it. It's fully understandable as to why the RAF want a degree of secrecy, but I am aware that some of their flights from Brize Norton do appear on flightradar, the aircraft in question being Voyagers. Anyway it was an A400 I saw, but C-17s are fine too.

Passenger carrying Voyagers will be on Flightrader. They are scheduled flights and are in the public domain. AAR (Air-to-Air Refulling) flights will not be, along with standalone Aeromed flights.

Base at RAF Brize Norton:
A400M ATLAS
A330-MRTT Voyager
C130-J Hercules
C-17 Globemaster III

plus other visitors, so you will also see A400 action
 

Minilad

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As already pointed out above, all Military flights to and from BHX are all Ad-Hoc and information of when and where they fly is kept on a Need-to-know basis, following MOD Security protocols for handling data.

I can't expand any more than I already have or provide any more information. Those releasing flight info into Gen Groups and then onto here are likely to get the originator identified and their job put at serious risk.

Apologies, but security is not a dirty word. If you want to see C17's, then do what most plane spotters do and park up at the 08 end of the Brize Norton Runway, which can be accessed by road. You will see them take off and land for most of the day until your hearts content

There are rules about posting get about military flights on the gen group I use. No advance gen just gen that the aircraft has landed. No one is risking getting anyone identified or risking anyones job
 

Rich McLean

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There are rules about posting get about military flights on the gen group I use. No advance gen just gen that the aircraft has landed. No one is risking getting anyone identified or risking anyones job

That's fine once its landed and reported from the ground, and I am happy to see such a policy enforced. It was just the way it came across and I didn't mean any offence.

On another note, you may notice changes from next month for those that view Flightradar. I can't say any more than that
 

Minilad

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That's fine once its landed and reported from the ground, and I am happy to see such a policy enforced. It was just the way it came across and I didn't mean any offence.

On another note, you may notice changes from next month for those that view Flightradar. I can't say any more than that

No offence taken. Just wanted to set the record straight. The gen group I am a member of is by invitation only and is tightly monitored. It is run by people who respect the rules and anyone transgressing is booted out rather sharpish
 

Harbornite

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No offence taken. Just wanted to set the record straight. The gen group I am a member of is by invitation only and is tightly monitored. It is run by people who respect the rules and anyone transgressing is booted out rather sharpish

How far in advance, on average, do you learn of "interesting" flights due at BHX. I appreciate that this question might be difficult. Thanks.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
That's fine once its landed and reported from the ground, and I am happy to see such a policy enforced. It was just the way it came across and I didn't mean any offence.

On another note, you may notice changes from next month for those that view Flightradar. I can't say any more than that

Could you PM me about FR, please. It's not becoming pay per view for everyone is it?
 
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