Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge. Earlier today, a loud sonic boom startled residents across parts of the UK when a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon was dispatched to intercept a private jet over southern England. The aircraft in question, a Bombardier Global Express registered to Empire Aviation in Dubai, UAE, was supposed to fly from Nice, France, to London Stansted Airport (STN). However, it overshot its destination, prompting the Typhoon to intervene. A witness described the boom as “definitely a sonic boom,” adding that it was quite a shock.
The private jet eventually landed safely at Stansted Airport at 12:11 local time, escorted by the Typhoon and followed by an operations vehicle. The Typhoon made a dramatic weaving approach before heading back north at a subsonic speed. The Bombardier Global Express was directed to a secluded area of the airport, a standard procedure for handling potential security threats. Stansted, designated for such situations, ensures these incidents are managed away from the main terminal. The airport confirmed, “A private aircraft was escorted to London Stansted by an RAF Typhoon earlier today. It landed safely, was met by police, and the incident has now been stood down. The airport is operating as normal.”
In the UK, it’s rare for aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds over land, but military jets are allowed to do so in specific situations, such as intercepting unresponsive or potentially dangerous aircraft. This is part of a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) procedure, which is crucial for the RAF’s mission to protect UK airspace. When a QRA is issued, the Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) at RAF Boulmer coordinates with the National Air and Space Operations Centre (NASOC) at RAF Air Command in High Wycombe to manage the situation.
#SonicBoom #RAF #AviationNews #UKAirspace #QuickReactionAlert
Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
