Topic ID 6585
For the past three nights there's been a microlight doing circuits over Hertford during the early hours (1-3am). Has anyone else noticed this and have any idea where it's from? The nearest microlight strip I'm aware of is Hunsdon. I would guess they need special equipment to fly at night. I posted a similar observation over two years ago and it appears to be the same or a similar craft. http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=4762
Reply ID 88120
quote:maybe you should lay off the strong cheese before you go to sleep, Steve[:)]
Originally posted by Steve
For the past three nights there's been a microlight doing circuits over Hertford during the early hours (1-3am). Has anyone else noticed this and have any idea where it's from? The nearest microlight strip I'm aware of is Hunsdon. I would guess they need special equipment to fly at night. I posted a similar observation over two years ago and it appears to be the same or a similar craft. http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=4762
Reply ID 88124
Night flying in a microlight still not allowed as far as I am aware.
Reply ID 88127
Back again tonight.
Reply ID 88128
I can also see and hear it and I live on the Hornsmill estate.
Reply ID 88129
quote:Not to be confused with the police helicopter that's just turned up and circling the town centre
Originally posted by pink star
I can also see and hear it and I live on the Hornsmill estate.
Reply ID 88130
I suppose it could have been a helicopter although it was pretty high up and not as loud as the helicopters normally sound that we get overhead. I have just sent an email to the chairman of the Hunsdon club for clarification about the night flying rules with regard to micro-lights.
Reply ID 88132
That woke me up and kept me awake for some time too...around 1.30 am. Seemed to do around three circuits and I had flashing lights in the window. Did sound more beefy, like a helicopter, than a microlight, however.
Reply ID 88134
Last night was a helicopter. However, I have recently noticed a microlight over Hertford when I've been driving home from work at about 6pm. I haven't heard it at night.
Reply ID 88135
I heard the microlight buzzing around about 10 minutes before the police helicopter arrived, two very different sounds.
Reply ID 88136
The lighting arrangement of the flashing xenons on the microlight clearly indicate a winged aircraft- together with the constant low speed and forward motion. A helicopter looks, sounds and moves in a different way so the two are easily distinguishable. The helicopter completely drowned out the microlight when it arrived (if it is indeed a microlight).
Reply ID 88137
Maybe the helicopter was looking for the microlight. If it is indeed illegal to fly one at night I doubt they would have been too pleased to find one up there.
Reply ID 88145
I asked Malcolm today and he said he "thinks" it's illegal for microlights to fly at night because the one at his airfield can't, but he didn't know 100%. We've flown around midnight in a Group A aircraft - it's a very good time of night to fly because the air is smooth and there is less traffic to bump into. I await the reply from Hunsdon.
Reply ID 88147
I heard a buzzing in the sky tonight but could not locate it.
Reply ID 88148
Heard something at 02:10 hours. Couldn't see anything as it wasn't overhead.
Reply ID 88149
"shunt Advanced Member United Kingdom 3179 Posts Posted - 16 Oct 2009 : 17:38:01 Are we sure it was a "Microlight", whatever the definition of that is. The night before, I saw the smallest, slowest grey bi-plane I've ever witnessed over Ware. Took ages to go overhead and looked like it would require the stature of Kylie Minogue to pilot it and probably peddle too. Sounded like a flat four (think VW beetle sound)of some sort." Looks like we've been around this topic before! It is illegal to fly a Microlight at night but a lot of "illegal" things go on. I would agree that this one, if true, takes a bit more brass neck than driving up Gascoyne Way at 42mph!
Reply ID 88152
If this is a Microlight pilot repeatedly flying illegally at night over a built up area, it is remarkably brazen and reckless behaviour. Is there perhaps another explanation? http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1181147--drones-missiles-and-gunships-welcome-to-the-2012-london-olympics Drones can be small engined propeller-driven aircraft. We live in strange times.
Reply ID 88153
I have also heard it and must say its not a helicopter as that is pretty loud (and being ex- cabin crew I know my engines if you get my drift!!!).. I did wonder if, in light of the heavily talked and publicised amount of MOD Activity in the run up to the Olympics its some special "security" measure.. or one of those "drones" manless copter things that are not legal but in certain cases it may be possible to use them? I do not think for one minute that if that's whats happening that the MOD or others will inform us on the forum, but I hope the Police and other authorities keep an eye/ear out for what quite clearly is a low flying object waking up lots of people and we'd like to know why!! [:)]
Reply ID 88159
On the "drone" theory - there are such things as radio controlled model microlights and helicopters but not having seen or heard this example I shouldn't really be speculating - any chance of a video clip?
Reply ID 88162
Did it look like this? http://www.flickr.com/photos/zongo/7000828241/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/zongo/7000828241/ Last night it was flying in a S formation over North London at 00:57 GMT. On previous nights i have watched it fly in a circle formation for over an hour over north London
Reply ID 88165
No sign of it this evening
Reply ID 88167
Ooo Er! Perhaps now they know we're on to them we'll start disappearing one by one? Next stop Guantanamo Bay (this posting is probably enough to trigger something).
Reply ID 88181
Just to update you on my email to Hunsdon. I had a reply where I was asked if I lived in Hunsdon (I know it was a bit thick not to say where I lived in the first place but it was 2 in the morning!) In my reply I explained a bit more as to what had been "seen & heard" but to date have not had any more contact - not sure what to read into that! Will of course let you know when/if I do.
Reply ID 88183
Well............I can hear something in the sky right now. It doesn't sound like a helicopter.
Reply ID 88184
The one night I go to bed early and manage to go to sleep!!
Reply ID 88185
At risk of not being "local" could this be what you are hearing? (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's administration appears set to notify the U.S. Congress of plans to arm a fleet of Italian MQ-9 Reaper drones, a step that may spur a wider spread of remotely piloted hunter-killer aircraft. Britain, the first foreign country to get U.S. technology to arm its Reapers, is considered a special case. Many U.S. officials and members of Congress view it as Washington's staunchest and most reliable ally. See http://tinyurl.com/6q7qpm6 P
Reply ID 88226
Ooo Er indeed.... http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=287&t=59300
Reply ID 88250
Having watched again "The Terminator" film from 1984 and how machines took over the world and sent Arnie back.. its all becoming a little scarey for me... anyone else think this?
Reply ID 88255
I still have not had a reply from Hunsdon - what does that mean? The plot thickens!!
Reply ID 88260
quote:They have locked on to you, your house and your favourite coffee mug - beware .............. [:D]
Originally posted by pink star
I still have not had a reply from Hunsdon - what does that mean? The plot thickens!!
Reply ID 88471
Something just flew over Bengeo at a very high altitude and it was incredibly noisy. Much louder than a plane making it's way to Stanstead at low altitude. (Can you tell I don't know much about aviation)It had a very resonant bass tone much lower frequency than the usual aircraft. It was vaguely bi plane shaped. TBH I was waiting for the engine to cut out and it start plummeting earthwards like a V1 (or was that a 2?)
Reply ID 88473
quote:Yes, I saw it, heading north-west. Most likely a DC6 - I believe Air Atlantique at Coventry have a couple. The resonant bass tone is typical of large piston driven aircraft at altitude. [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Atlantique_Classic_Flight"]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Atlantique_Classic_Flight[/url] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Atlantique_Classic_Flight"]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Atlantique_Classic_Flight[/url]
Originally posted by Anorak
Something just flew over Bengeo at a very high altitude and it was incredibly noisy. Much louder than a plane making it's way to Stanstead at low altitude. (Can you tell I don't know much about aviation)It had a very resonant bass tone much lower frequency than the usual aircraft. It was vaguely bi plane shaped. TBH I was waiting for the engine to cut out and it start plummeting earthwards like a V1 (or was that a 2?)
Reply ID 88555
Has anyone seen the "nocturnal microlight" / anti-terrorist drone recently - I'd like to catch a glimpse if we can work out the flight plan between us?[?]
Reply ID 88579
quote:Maybe these guys might know something. http://dronewarsuk.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/latest-news-on-british-drones/ http://dronewarsuk.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/latest-news-on-british-drones/ P
Originally posted by Darcy Sarto
Has anyone seen the "nocturnal microlight" / anti-terrorist drone recently - I'd like to catch a glimpse if we can work out the flight plan between us?[?]