http://volets10.fr/WP/archives/16534
No surprise that overflying a French nuclear power plant brings trouble. But this time the intruder was actually forced to land at a French Air Force base and that seems exceptional.
How was it forced down?
Couldn’t make that out from the article. Suggestions that the intercepting aircraft was (were?) Dassault Rafale… Weren’t there conventional signs at interception?
I do wonder what type of plane the German flew, that the Rafale could slow down sufficiently.
When Belgian microlighters, busting the airspace of EBBE, were intercepted, it was done by SEP trainers – Marchetti SF260.
that seems exceptional
not really, I know of another case where a DA20 was forced to land on a military base after busting a nuclear power plan prohibited area
that the Rafale could slow down sufficiently
A friend was once identified by a Mirage when flying over france in a C172. He even slowed down, but the Mirage could match his speed, even though it needed about 45° angle of attack and shook quite a bit, so not a very stable attitude.
those military jets can literally “stand” on their thrust – but of course the nose is pointing upwards at such low forward speed …
There is a link to a more detailed article from Picard Courrier. A D reg (it looks like D-ESKT in the photo) DA40 from Dieppe with 3 on board overflew Penly and was contacted by radio and told to divert to Amiens, the Rafale then arrived from Creil and escorted the DA40 in. The military were most interested in whether any photographs were taken.If there had been it would be considered very serious. There seems to be acceptance that this was pilot error.
I had missed that one, Ted, thanks.
What might the consequences be for the pilot?
Those bored fighter pilots sit in the barracks all day, waiting for somebody to bust some airspace in his little spam can and become a sponsor for a fly out. It’s the highlight of their week.
I was a passenger in an DA40 that infringed that very same Prohibited Area. The pilot was threatened with a €40,000 fine and 2 years incarceration. After 2 police intervies, a number of letters and a lot of humble pie he got off with a caution. This was in the month that the area was enlarged from 1.5 to 5km
