RAF Typhoon Scrambles 2nd Intercept in Olympics

[ramjet]

Sorry if this has been posted before, I did check but couldn't find anything

RAF Typhoon scrambles for second intercept in London Olympics No-Fly Zone August 4, 2012
Posted by Richard Clements in Military Aviation.

On Aug. 3, at 16.49 local time, a Royal Air Force Typhoon was scrambled for the second time since a No-Fly Zone was established, from RAF Northolt, North West London.

Eye witnesses stated that the fighter jet took off and performed a near vertical climb out from the base. Whilst the Typhoon thundered into the late afternoon skies a second taxied to the end of the runway as a spare.

The target aircraft was a Boeing 737 business jet, serial number N444HE, registered to Wells Fargo Bank, which was cruising at 36,000 feet, when the Typhoon arrived on its left hand side for visual identification and escort.

From the end of the runway to the wing of the target the Typhoon took only 3.5 minutes!

The fighter jet on QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) was scrambled after the B737 failed to respond to the Air Traffic Control calls on the radio.

After a few minutes the Typhoon broke away from the target and requested a bit of general handling to burn fuel before returning to RAF Northolt.

Serial Number of the RAF Typhoon involved is thought to be ZJ923.

courtesy the aviationist

Cheers, Roger

[hawktmk1a]

Great story, still cant believe from take off to the 737, at 36,000 only took 3 and a half mins. Incredible, wonder how it comapres to a lightning.......

[Adam]

The comparison is that a VC-10 wasn't required en route

[hawktmk1a]

Good point! Out of curiosity what was the first scramble?

[hawktmk1a]

Good point! Out of curiosity what was the first scramble?

[CHINOOKER]

First scramble was for a Thompson/Thomas Cook? aircraft that took ages to switch from Brest control to London control,so effectively went out of comms......one Typhoon was scrambled from Northolt,but then QRA was called off as it got airborne

[gyvespa]

I'm surprised no-one has asked this yet.

Did it go Supersonic ?

If it didn't then perhaps it could get there even quicker !
Now that'd be worth seeing/hearing :-)

[big john]

Re second launch:
As I read, it looks like an embellished story taken from the posts from this forum

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=62063&start=200#p404348

So does this gentleman's report of the first launch. But I can see no acknowledgement of his sources, apart from "eye witnesses" and one for the photograph of a Typhoon.
I shall say no more as I don't want him suing me.

[big john]

I'm surprised no-one has asked this yet.
Did it go Supersonic ?
If it didn't then perhaps it could get there even quicker !
Now that'd be worth seeing/hearing :-)

No need to go supersonic, but probably used full afterburner in the climb. The target was only 50 miles from Northolt and only doing 380kts.
Also had to make his way through Heathrow traffic, so controllers would need time to get other aircraft out of his way.

[RichC]

I suppose they have to look as if they are there doing something... at all that expense. At 36,000ft on an airway so close to the Olympic site it was hardly a threat.

[the beast]

I'm surprised no-one has asked this yet.
Did it go Supersonic ?
If it didn't then perhaps it could get there even quicker !
Now that'd be worth seeing/hearing :-)

No need to go supersonic, but probably used full afterburner in the climb. The target was only 50 miles from Northolt and only doing 380kts.
Also had to make his way through Heathrow traffic, so controllers would need time to get other aircraft out of his way.

No need at all, he was cleared to "Remain subsonic below M.98" By Hotspur in the climb, and yes, my eardrums can certainly confirm that they use full power for the first 20-30 seconds of the IP climb, however the route is planned to remain clear of heathrow traffic [I would imagine a call from Atlas to INT on taxi to confirm if he has anything MSL Descending in the overhead (or in the LAM Hold If IP North)]... As the clearence is along the lines of "3NZ14 IP South/North Approved, Initial Altitude 6000ft... Cleared Take Off..."

I suppose they have to look as if they are there doing something... at all that expense. At 36,000ft on an airway so close to the Olympic site it was hardly a threat.

One would suggest that they try to keep the crews on at least one call a week to keep currency etc... I'd certainly imagine the controllers at Boulmer take this into account when choosing to scramble Northolt to one of the many MANY aircraft that loose comms for a short period of time every week.

[RichC]

Exactly my point.... move them back up to Coningsby.

[the beast]

Exactly my point.... move them back up to Coningsby.

Noooooooo! Don't ruin my fun! We don't get much down here! hahaha