The beautiful clear skies have given a perfect opportunity to try out this radar. We're not far off the track for transatlantic traffic to/from Heathrow and Paris so there's always something up there but until now it wasn't always possible to say what it was.
I've spent the last hour tracking stuff overhead and I can confirm that it's definitely live. I tracked a Virgin A340 for LHR descending across Wales and worked out exactly where in my view it would appear. As the transponder updated and the a/c icon jumped to my predicted point I looked out of the window and there it was. I used binoculars to confirm it. Likewise with higher stuff which are only visible as con-trails. They still appeared where and when the map showed.
Using arrivals boards to check, you have to remember that arrivals and departure times are chock times and this can create the 15 minute 'delay'.
Right - must dash - got to check the Air France 777 from Paris to Atlanta. ... Ah yes, there it is. Bang on course. Bon travail mes amis!
Merry Christmas everybody! Joyeux Noel Air France!
I'd say this was a bit of a security risk though....
Flight Number : TCW5577
ICAO Hex Code : 44D070
Reg Code : OO-TCP
Last Message : 1:38:42 UTC
Company : Thomas Cook (Belgium)
Departure : St. Louis, Missouri Air National Guard - USA
Arrival : Brussels, Zaventem - Belgium
Not sure where it originated, but noticed it over Northern Turkey heading for Begium. If I where a gambling terrorist, I'd say that was a US Army Troop charter. Surely this sort of thing should be blocked? Also spotted a US Army (or Airforce) transport leaving Germany heading back to the US.
Garry - I tried the link given in the original post, and found a tab to select delayed info with more detail, or current info.
Ben - I understand your feelings, but reducing the port of origin info to 'USA' or blocking it altogether would simply draw attention to the flight. Nor would not displaying the flight at all protect it from those who would do it harm. The sad fact is those people have massive budgets available, from drug trafficking and illegal arms trading; they don't pay tax to anyone, and they can buy any equipment they want, as well as the education and training to use it. I just wish the politicians would stop thinking that not being British (or American) automatically means "poor/starving/stupid/uneducated". But they never learn, do they
I'd wait a bit longer for one of these to come along.
Then, disguised as a Welsh sheep farmer, I'd release a volley of sheep-sh*t powered missiles from the Ifor Williams trailer attached to my Land-Rover and, insha'Allah, the infidels will regret the decision to turn on their transponder
It's an option, but how do you get yourself on a position along it's track in time to intercept it, and then how do you shoot it down? It's at >30000' which requires something a bit bigger than a Stinger or SA-7!
