Dragon Changeover

[Al dunn]

Fairford was probably NOATMED oped as the diversion airbase in case something went wrong with the refuelling.

[Skywatcher]

But the Notam is still active Al,
All the best
Max

[rh226]

They've still got to come back, Max. They are routing back the same way but in reverse - see "Heads Up" thread.

Al, that's what I guessed earlier in this thread.

[Al dunn]

Because the B52s are coming back over the UK

they are routing KONAN-MAM-BZN-YVL-LND

[Skywatcher]

Ok ,thanks Bob and Al,your right I think,strange they never put it as a "diversion only" Notam like they have done in the past.
Being tanked now by the sounds of things by SPUR91flt out of the hall.
All the best
Max

[rh226]

Max, SPUR flight haven't launched yet. They are due to depart in about 20 minutes.

[Skywatcher]

Ops ok,looks like someone has jumped the gun in the heads up then,according to them they are already up,but according to another one they are just departing now,as they are pushing one of the many " have quick" frequencys ..
All the best
Max

[seven]

Loud deep rumble over Tewkesbury just now- dunno if Fairford linked?

ZG779

7

[Skywatcher]

16:32L Notam now taken down,guess it was just a diversion airfield ,and for the QUID441
All the best
Max

[saint1]

Based on nothing but past Dragon changes this coming Tues (25th) looking possible for a Changeover - tanking Notams making it more difficult, but lets hope for something on Tues.

[Rory76]

Has anyone kept note of the recent changeover cycles? (Surely some of the numbery types must have?)

End of June (not long before RIAT as people were hoping the sick one would stay for the show) and early Sept (just before Ample Strike) seem about right for the last couple.

[rh226]

The last few Eastbound departure dates (can't be bothered to look up actual arrival dates) have been:-

24/08/2016
10 & 15/06/2016
28/04/2016.........one aircraft
03/02/2016.........one aircraft
22 & 23/10/2015
28/08/2015
24/07/2015.........one aircraft
10/06/2015.........one aircraft

So my guess would be either tomorrow (25th Oct) or the next Tuesday (1st Nov) - or at least those weeks.

Cheers,

Bob

[Rory76]

[Rory76]

Not this week then....

Out of interest, how much heads up do you tend to get when ones inbound (assuming there's someone tuned in and posting at the time!)

[H.A.Bucken]

Generally only a few hours at most, when the Notam's posted or when members abeam sea areas Malin and Hebrides (west of Scotland) actually hear "Dragon 86/8" inby via the various sectors in the descent towards Gloucestershire. I waited at home by my 'box' until 0930Z before giving up.
Roger, S. Lakes

[page_verify]

Maybe they're a bit more shy about being seen these days? Who knows.

[Mikepaparomeo]

No NOTAM today either so next week now more likely. Either the weather forecast for FFD this week delayed things (mist/fog) else the very recent increase in ground activity in theatre has delayed the shuffle. As a matter of interest, how many machines are normally on detachment?
Regards,

[Rory76]

Generally only a few hours at most, when the Notam's posted or when members abeam sea areas Malin and Hebrides (west of Scotland) actually hear "Dragon 86/8" inby via the various sectors in the descent towards Gloucestershire. I waited at home by my 'box' until 0930Z before giving up.
Roger, S. Lakes

cheers- I'll have to hope someone posts early enough for me to make the hour or so dash to Fairford then!

[Rory76]

No NOTAM today either so next week now more likely. Either the weather forecast for FFD this week delayed things (mist/fog) else the very recent increase in ground activity in theatre has delayed the shuffle. As a matter of interest, how many machines are normally on detachment?
Regards,

Only noticed the last couple but they were 2 heading out and 2 heading home starting with an outbound bird, and seemingly staggered to leave 2 in theatre.

[rh226]

There are currently 7 out there somewhere.