XV(R) Squadron Tour/Flypast detailed...

[CosmonautX]

Looking ahead to the final day of formal flying ops this Friday, the RAF Lossiemouth FB page has just posted the following:

FINAL FORMAL SORTIE FOR RAF LOSSIEMOUTH TORNADOS

XV(Reserve) Squadron, the Tornado Operational Conversion Unit, will complete its final formal flying on Friday 17 March 2017. The disbandment of the Squadron, after 102 years’ of service, on Friday 31 March 2017 will see the end of the Tornado GR4 era at RAF Lossiemouth.

To mark the end of this period in the Station’s history Tornados from XV(Reserve) Squadron will carry out a final formal sortie that will include flying by Aberdeen and Leuchars airfields and Tain Air Weapons Range. These sites have all been instrumental in the training of aircrew at RAF Lossiemouth to operate the Tornado. The aircraft will return to RAF Lossiemouth in the early afternoon to carry out a series of flypasts over the Station.

Over the past 24 years the Squadron has been the life-blood of the front line ensuring the squadrons were provided with combat capable aircrew. The final ab-initio pilot finished his training at the end of January, and the last refresher pilot, returning from a tour instructing at RAF Valley, graduated at the end of February.

Whilst the Tornado Operational Conversion Unit will cease from 31 March, the RAF will continue to utilise the Tornado GR4 until it is finally withdrawn from service in 2019.

Wing Commander Paul Froome is the Officer Commanding of XV(Reserve) Squadron, and will pilot one of the aircraft taking part in the final sortie. He said:

“Being able to fly in this final sortie of Tornado GR4s from RAF Lossiemouth is a great honour for me.

“Whilst it may be sad to see the Tornado leave Moray and Scotland, the aircraft has given many years’ of great service to the RAF, and continues to do so in the form of the frontline Tornado squadrons at RAF Marham supporting current operations.

“The disbandment of XV(Reserve) Squadron is a milestone in the drawdown of the Tornado fleet, but I can say hand on heart that every member of the Squadron, past and present, has delivered an exceptional level of service and commitment to the Tornado fleet and the RAF.“

RAF Lossiemouth will maintain the provision of Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North on a 24/7 basis as its primary role. The Station will also see growth in the near future as a fourth Typhoon squadron is formed here and P8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft are based here.

So, looks like a morning departure for an unspecified number of aircraft to visit Aberdeen, Leuchars and the Tain AWR and - I'd presume - at least one or two other spots. Not clear whether they will return to base before performing the flypast/mock attack, or whether that will simply form the end of the tour.

[bubz]

NOTAM is valid from 1300-1345 so I would assume they will return within that window.

[CosmonautX]

I was wondering more whether they would return from the tour, perform the flypast/mock attack then land and wrap up for the day, or whether they were going to do the final formal sortie/tour, then RTB mid-day-ish and perform the flypast as a separate sortie during the NOTAM period.

[np1991]

Why risk the jets going tech on the ground?
The flypast/beat up will be the end of the tour.

[CosmonautX]

Ah, hadn't considered that - good point. Cheers, Niall

[CosmonautX]

Read and edited - all OK now?

[np1991]

Spot on thanks

[CosmonautX]

Further, Inside Moray are reporting that the final sortie will be carried out by six aircraft, with the flypasts performed in pairs before a final solo flypast - http://www.insidemoray.com/final-sortie ... -in-moray/

[jwramsay]

Looks like some French visitors coming too

[whiteout75]

Hi,

Would someone be kind enough to post what runway is in use today (Friday) for those who cannot make it in the morning?

Many thanks.

[Supra]

Cool.

And the weathers looking decent in the Jewel as well...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2643587?day=2

Well, that put the 'death-kiss' on that then?
Looks awfully like rain & snow in the 1300-1400 slot, but maybe just to the south of Lossie?? Hit me with those blue-sky shots!

[Supra]

Hi,

Would someone be kind enough to post what runway is in use today (Friday) for those who cannot make it in the morning?

Many thanks.

Forecast winds of 12-14 WSW so r/w 28 would be the critical favourite for departures, but I suspect it'll be 23? Have to wait for heads-up I guess.

[Unknown74]

Sorry to see their not over Edinburgh Castle, They've been doing the Tattoo for a few Years now.

[Contrail1958]

Wonder if they'll do a low pass of Lossie harbour remembering the stations previous
attendance of the Raft Races.

[np1991]

0808L airfield open runway 23 in use

[Pcxr]

Any ideas for timings for today in any case can someone post when they are crewing/starting

Cheers

[whiteout75]

Something's just gone up, heard from Buckie direction. (a useless post).

[ringo747]

Out of curiosity do they ever use 28 much for the departures assuming 23 is also available? Quite a taxi out from the XV line I assume.

[Thunder]

Out of curiosity do they ever use 28 much for the departures assuming 23 is also available? Quite a taxi out from the XV line I assume.

If 23 is available then 23 is what they'll use. The only exception would be if an emergency has blocked the rw, or if there is a funeral service taking part in Lossiemouth and the family have requested a noise restriction. Likewise during the school exam periods they avoid over or near to Gordonstoun.

[Ross Forsyth]

- although seems like a bit of a lens waving / peeing up a wall competition going on. Made me feel quite inadequate with my wee thing

Using what you can afford is what photography is all about,being most peoples hobby they will try and save and get the best they can if that makes it a lens waving/peeing up a wall competition and bothers you
i`d suggest staying away from airshows,exercises and any other form of photography.