7:47pm Friday 20th November 2009
TWO microlights found themselves in the flight-path of 26 military planes en route to the Queen’s birthday celebrations, a report has revealed.
Six RAF Typhoons, four Tornados and various other RAF aircraft had to break formation and descend after spotting the two ultralight aircraft above Stanton St John, near Oxford, on June 13.
The Civil Aviation Authority said only the swift action of the military pilots avoided a collision – and branded the microlight pilots “unsound”.
Airspace from the ground to 2,500ft up was restricted for 35 minutes so the formation could fly through en route to Buckingham Palace.
The air proximity report concluded the microlight pilots were either unaware of the restricted area or mistimed their flight to Sandown, on the Isle of Wight.
One was found not to have a working radio, while the other pilot made no attempt to contact the ground and get clearance. The report said: “Members agreed unanimously that it is wise to avoid large military formations by a large distance or interval.
“Notwithstanding the unsound airmanship displayed by both microlight pilots, the board agreed that the formation elements’ descents had prevented any risk of collision.”
It said there had been several similar incidents in recent years and urged that its findings be “widely publicised.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/trade_directory/