September 17th 2024.
According to a recent report, the crew of The Vespina, a luxurious £10,000,000 RAF jet used to transport VIPs, had a terrifying near miss with an illegal drone. It seems that these drones, which are often prohibited in major cities and near airports, can sometimes slip through the cracks and cause serious danger.
In this particular incident, The Vespina was cruising at 2,200ft and preparing to land at RAF Brize Norton when the crew suddenly spotted an illegal drone just 100ft away. The jet, which can reach speeds of up to 200mph, narrowly avoided a collision with the drone. It's a miracle that disaster was averted thanks to the quick thinking of the crew.
The Vespina, which was originally an RAF jet but was converted into a luxury VIP carrier in 2016, is no stranger to high-profile passengers. In fact, it is often used to transport members of the Royal family and UK prime ministers. In 2020, it even received a special paint job in the iconic Union Jack colours, as instructed by Boris Johnson.
The incident occurred on June 19th of this year, and according to the report by the UK Airprox Board, the risk of collision was rated as "high". The crew reported seeing LED lights on the drone, indicating that it was dangerously close to the jet. They immediately notified air traffic control and were able to safely complete their landing at RAF Brize Norton.
It's worth noting that The Vespina is equipped with advanced technology, including secure satellite communications and missile detection systems, to ensure the safety of its passengers. However, in this case, it seems that the drone was not detected until it was too late.
The jet had taken off from an RAF base in Oxfordshire for a four hour flight and had even circled over the French coast for 40 minutes, likely for mid-air refueling. It's a reminder that even with all the necessary precautions in place, incidents like this can still occur.
The report also mentioned that the drone was flying over the ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone) of a nearby airfield, and air traffic control had not approved any drone activity. This raises concerns about the responsibility and legality of drone usage, as they can pose a significant threat to the safety of aircraft.
The incident was rated as Category B, meaning that safety had been compromised. An RAF spokesperson emphasized the importance of responsible drone usage and following CAA regulations, as they can be extremely challenging for aircrew to spot and avoid.
In conclusion, this near-miss serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of illegal drone usage near airports and the need for responsible and regulated drone flying. It's a fortunate outcome that no VIPs or ministers were on board The Vespina at the time, but it's a sobering reminder of the importance of safety in the skies.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
