Forum Topic

Long shot in the sky

Anyone in NATS or air traffic control looking in A turboprop plane has been circling over west london a good 20-25 000 ft up for the last 4-5 years. That is a long time and it does not show up on radar. Just on the off chance someone might know what its doing. 4-5 years is a long time. You can hear it if you listen carefully Cant be the usual activities so just curios

Julian Pavey ● 1512d29 Comments

 Had to zoom right in to catch it

Julian Pavey ● 1512d

Probably traffic problem spotting for radio announcements. Just a guess ~ as have seen a prop plane for years also playing London skies other than over West London.

Bobbie Carnegie ● 1512d

They show up on radar,but this one spends all day going around in a big circle quite high up and never shows on radar. Thought of mapping but it does not take years. Could it be something to do with ATCRBS and a future 3rd runway. Ive not a clue

Julian Pavey ● 1512d

Maybe Mr Brown knows what it’s up to.

Russell Pearson ● 1512d

Now funny enough i was going to mention MB

Julian Pavey ● 1512d

Maybe his infamous GIRG has been found at last?

Russell Pearson ● 1512d

I have often noticed a light aircraft criss crossing the sky above us.The profile looked familiar so looking through binoculars and confirmed it was an Islander.Developed in the late sixties at Bembridge Isle of Wight it has been a worldwide success. Short take off and landing, sturdy, adaptable, easy to fly, reasonably priced and  is still in production I believe.What is doing I am not sure but I have been told is  to do with calibrating something at Heathrow.

Adrian Irving ● 1512d

As an aside I was lucky enough to see the only air worthy Lysander flying over Oxfordshire recently, an aircraft which was used in WW2 to fly covert missions over occupied France.The Lysander and Islander have much the same capabilities so maybe a dark hand is at play. Over and out Michael.

Adrian Irving ● 1512d

I have heard and seen the plane for several years now and I found this on a Google searchhttps://www.key.aero/forum/historic-aviation/103027-mystery-plane-over-west-london

Michael Prosser ● 1512d

Aha I think you have solved it and points to why its not on radar Thanks michael.

Julian Pavey ● 1512d

It's a sneaky beaky Islander. You won't see it on Flightradar as it's not officially there. My mates at NATS say. I don't know if it's MoD or the intelligence services but it's an annoyance on a nice day.

Basil Finnis ● 1511d

Yeah ~ But whatever prop it is to a planespotter what's it doing is the question?

Bobbie Carnegie ● 1511d

Going round in slow circles.  After crossing the Atlantic on a jet one day then to spend another day in one of these to get to your destination.  It was slow slow slow and the meal was always chicken salad.

Philippa Bond ● 1511d

They are spy planes, stuffed full of electronic surveillance gear. Based in Northolt I believe and have been operating like this for years.

David Ewen ● 1510d

Is Brown now working under the nom de plume of DE?

John Davies ● 1508d

John, he's actually right. It's an Islander turboprop though I don't know if it's from Northolt but could well be.

Basil Finnis ● 1508d

They are out of Denham, but thats all we know about it. Rumour is that they can listen to 10000 mobile conversations , but no idea if there’s any truth in that

Basil Finnis ● 1508d

Best info ive found and it maybe does answer why they spend so much time in the air going around in circles high up and off radar."Three Britten-Norman Islander aircraft based at RAF Northolt in West London are used for covert surveillance by MI5""The RAF operate two Marks of Islander, they are known as a CC.2 (ZH536) and a CC.2A (ZF573) and form the Station Flight at RAF Northolt near London. These two aircraft are flown in a classified surveillance role, aimed at picking up communications" "Their equipment and capabilities have never been officially disclosed but they are believed to be able to monitor mobile-phone calls. More recently they have been fitted with equipment capable of picking up signals from wi-fi computer networks""While based at RAF Northolt they can be seen over many parts of the uk circling for days circling in an area and use other locations as temp base station when on ops" From https://britten-norman.com "The UK has some of the most advanced capabilities in counter terrorism and much of this was developed with the Defender.""The Defender has a unique position in carrying out law enforcement and counter terrorism in the urban environment due to its low speed handling. Employed at a stand-off range, the aircraft can maintain covert status in a virtually geostationary position due to its tight surveillance orbit."

Julian Pavey ● 1508d

They are on radar, just not FR24 etc.

David ● 1508d

Do you mean they are on radar to say nats,RRH or possibly both but are not visible to the general public

Julian Pavey ● 1508d

Yes.

David ● 1508d

Ok cheersI know all planes squark but just wanted to clarify what you were saying

Julian Pavey ● 1508d

Not wanting to be too boring, but not all aircraft squawk (SSR code). In controlled airspace ie the airspace around London they will, but outside controlled airspace, not the case.

David ● 1508d

Is this what I saw today? From Dukes Meadow. Slightly to the north travelling NW to SE. Definitely a prop with straight wings. Disappeared out of sight but then came back approx 10 mins later and again 10 mins later. Or was this just a standard flight route and different planes.

Stephen Gould ● 1505d

Could be steven hard to tell without seeing. What time was this ? Was it very high up |?

Julian Pavey ● 1505d

Sorry just realised Stephen

Julian Pavey ● 1505d

Julian, very high up, could just about make out the shape. I heard the sound of engine and remembered this thread. It was about 3.30 then twice again between then and 4.10

Stephen Gould ● 1504d

Nothing on radar stephen so given your description sounds very much like you did see the Norman Islander

Julian Pavey ● 1504d

Its been circling high up for the last 2 hours and is still humming high above right now. Seen a few sats crossing while looking aswell. Not a bad night given our light polution,ive seen worse lately on a clear evening sky

Julian Pavey ● 1503d