The Brits are not taking the defence of this year’s Olympics lightly. The RAF is in full alert, ready to intercept anything that flies off their planned path or into prohibited air space. The Battle of Britain 2!
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of defence has issued a list of directions for pilots flying anywhere through South East England during the Olympics. If you deviate from your flight plan in the restricted area or if you dare entering prohibited airspace, RAF Eurofighters Typhoons constantly flying over the areas above will intercept your aircraft.
These are the directions pilots would have to follow:
Deviation from RESTRICTED Zone Rules or Violation of the PROHIBITED Zone will result in Interception
Contact ATC on in use frequency or Guard 121.5MHz/243.0MHz
- If Typhoon joins on left hand side of your aircraft and rocks wings, then rock your wings and follow Typhoon. Turn away from London.
- If Typhoon breaks left to right in front of your aircraft, then rock your wings and follow Typhoon. Turn away from London.
- If Typhoon break left to right in front of your aircraft whilst deploying flares rock your wings and follow Typhoon. Turn away from London .
The same is true if you get intercepted by a RAF helicopter, which will fire a green laser at your or release flares at night.
I like their final warning:
Or else. Else meaning that, if the pilot doesn’t follow these procedures, he or she can count on a couple of sidewinders up the tail. [Ministry of defence – Advice for Pilots (PDF) via Learmount] [imgclear]