Low flying helicopters in the news

[Magog]

Both these stories seem very odd to me; the first concerns the ongoing inquest into the puma crash. It seems utterley shocking to me that a trained RAF crew would fly in this manner, if the evidence is to be believed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire...

The second story just strikes me as very odd. Low level flying at 0100 in the morning '10ft above' someones back garden, it's also not clear if the navigation lights were showing. Does this sort of thing happenn often?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/8317352...

All seems a bit strange

[mrmaggit]

Too much testosterone for me, I'm afraid.

But then I'm an old st.

[Nick_F]

Two different services involved. '10 feet' seems a bit unlikely - you don't need to get that low to read road signs when you're lost...

[Simpo Two]

'"Don't tell the Taliban that all they need is a 10-quid torch to bring down some of our finest young fliers in their multi-million pound, high-tech gunships," he said.

My thoughts exactly. Patently ridiculous 'naughty boy wrist-slapping' from over-zealous Plod. But naybe they had the next edition of 'Police Chav Gotcha' in mind.

[Geneve]

Witness statements and press reporting of low flying incidents can be notoriously inaccurate and exaggerated. Doubt very much the 5ft and 10ft figures.

The inquest into the Puma accident has only just started, so the true sequence of events can really only be judged after all the evidence has been heard and the coroner has reached his verdict.

In the meantime the media will cherry pick the sensational bits.

[sherman]

"Mr Merriott, who runs a stage lighting firm"

This may have something to do with the power of his 'torch' that he shone at the helicopter.

Edited by sherman on Tuesday 20th October 23:46

[WelshBoyo]

Used to live by Keevil Airfield in Wiltshire and I remember hearing a very low, very loud noise late at night (quite normal due to military activity). But this sounded different so I went outside and walked towards the Airfield and there was an Apache with the Pilot/Co-Pilot using night vision. Scared the cr5p out of me!