Light aircraft intercepted today under APEC restrictions

[Captain]

I understand that a light aircraft was intercepted today over far western Sydney and escorted to Bankstown.

 

Does anyone know what it was and any more details?

 

I hope it wasn't one of ours (RAA) as the forces of darkness will surely use it against our movement.

 

Regards Geoff

 

 

[Allan]

This was posted on PPRuNe today at 1441hrs EST by Dr Oakenfold

 

Somebody bust the APEC exclusion zone????

 

Just witnessed two FA18's escort what looked to be a C337 to a position for final approach to Bankstown Runway 11. Anyone know what the story is? These two things had the noses high and very slowly on either side of the 337. They then buggered off to the west at high speed as soon as I noticed the 337 disappear behind the trees.

 

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=291337

 

 

[Ultralights]

geez! everyone knows to get close to Mr Bush, all you need is a few SUV's and Canadian flags! though i would have loved to see the Hornets flying slow trying to "keep up" with a C337!

 

 

[Ben Longden]

Plane breaches security

 

September 9, 2007 - 4:23PM

 

Melb AGE

 

A light plane intercepted by two F/A-18s after it entered restricted airspace over Sydney had posed no threat to the APEC summit of world leaders, Airservices Australia says.

 

An Airservices Australia spokesman confirmed the Australian Defence Force (ADF) had been contacted, but said the incident was not being recorded as a breach of security.

 

He said the Cessna was flying an approved flight from Bathurst in central NSW when it was contacted by officials on approach to its destination of Bankstown, in Sydney's west.

 

``The pilot, obviously, was not listening up at that particular time and because of the situation in regard to APEC, defence was advised by Airservices,'' the spokesman said.

 

``Two FA/18s went out to check the aircraft. They did make radio contact and as I understand it the aircraft has landed.''

 

A witness earlier told Macquarie Radio that shortly before 3pm (AEST) he saw the plane enter restricted airspace over Penrith, in Sydney's west, before having flares fired at it by the two jets.

 

``This light plane came over in restricted airspace because of APEC and these two fighter jets come out in the middle of nowhere and were flying flares at it,'' the witness said.

 

``Right over the top of Penrith, it was amazing. I've never seen anything like it.''

 

Restricted airspace in a radius of 45 nautical miles around Sydney Airport has been in force for the duration of the APEC summit.

 

The Airservices spokesman said he was not aware of any flares being fired, adding the two fighter jets had since returned to their bases.

 

A Defence spokesman said the department could not comment on the incident at present.

 

AAP

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

It was a Cessna 337 VH-WWC (edited) owned by an old chap from Sydney. He was on a flight from YBTH to Sydney. He took off 4 hrs later than he filed his plan. Poor old bloke meant no harm and this overkill has probably scared the out of him already. We had all the Hornets fly past our place (near where this was occurring) at that time. They were awesome to watch. Too quick for me to get my camera out then they departed at around 15,000ft or so back to Williamtown. I believe they arrived there at 16.05 or so.

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Here is a pic of the a/c in question:

 

http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=129440&nseq=0

 

I'm going to ask Ian (when I get around to it) for an aircraft enthusiast/monitoring thread for things like this. I think it would be better suited and would not clog the rest of the forum. I know there are a few spotters/radio heads/enthusiasts like myself out there on these forums.

 

 

[crazy diamond]

I think WWC is the one owned by the bloke David Brown of David Brown and Co Solicitors?? I know he has one. I remember he was doing a check with a mate of mine a while back and one of the engines gave out around Mt Vic, managed to baby it to BTH. He's a lawyer, should be able to talk his way out of it ;-)

 

 

[Geoff]

(I know there are a few spotters/radio heads/enthusiasts like myself out there on these forums.) Darren be leave me" Mate" there is no one like you any wear.:keen:Boy did you set your self up;);)

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Ha ha ha Geoff. I try. I live and breathe bloody aircraft. Makes me sick if I don't get my fix. Same person Crazy Diamond.

 

 

[Geoff]

Sorry Darren,I think I have had to much of wot I grow "Nice Reds":devil:

 

 

[w3stie]

Hmm. As someone said on the pprune site

 

AHhh yes let the paranoia, the propaganda and the indoctrination continue. Haven't seen a terrorist or pink elephant lately so the police state and the spray must be working just fine. Seen a few grandparents and children arrested though!

I think we all understand it is necessary to maintain security, but there is a strong feeling in the community that the APEC security has been completely over the top. Ben Franklin said "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Wise man.

[Guest Fred Bear]

Nice reds are ok ;) And correction to the aircraft it was VH-WWC, typo before.

 

 

[Guest grantisaac]

At Temora last year a F18 demonstrated a slow pass at approx 90 knots. Had a very high nose attitude and could still move around its axis and point its cannon at you if he wanted to. I fell sorry for the pilot but hope he can see the funny side after its over.

 

 

[Ben Longden]

Wish the story would get straight. This is from The Age.. and AirServices are stating the incident was NOT a breach of security.

 

Ben

 

headline; Plane posed 'no threat to APEC security'

 

September 9, 2007 - 3:29PM

 

A light plane intercepted by two F/A-18s after it entered restricted airspace over Sydney had posed no threat to the APEC summit of world leaders, Airservices Australia says.

 

An Airservices Australia spokesman confirmed the Australian Defence Force (ADF) had been contacted, but said the incident was not being recorded as a breach of security.

 

He said the Cessna was flying an approved flight from Bathurst in central NSW when it was contacted by officials on approach to its destination of Bankstown, in Sydney's west.

 

"The pilot, obviously, was not listening up at that particular time and because of the situation in regard to APEC, defence was advised by Airservices," the spokesman said.

 

"Two FA/18s went out to check the aircraft. They did make radio contact and as I understand it the aircraft has landed."

 

A witness earlier told Macquarie Radio that shortly before 3pm (AEST) he saw the plane enter restricted airspace over Penrith, in Sydney's west, before having flares fired at it by the two jets.

 

"This light plane came over in restricted airspace because of APEC and these two fighter jets come out in the middle of nowhere and were flying flares at it," the witness said.

 

"Right over the top of Penrith, it was amazing. I've never seen anything like it."

 

Restricted airspace in a radius of 45 nautical miles around Sydney Airport has been in force for the duration of the APEC summit.

 

The Airservices spokesman said he was not aware of any flares being fired, adding the two fighter jets had since returned to their bases.

 

A Defence spokesman said the department could not comment on the incident at present.

 

© 2007 AAP

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Story reprinted in full to avoid confusion and I highlighted the text in par 1.

 

Ben

 

 

[eastmeg2]

Takes me back to reading the book of Joshua Slocum doing the first ever solo world circumnavigation in a sailing yacht. Sydney was the only port in the world that tried to charge him harbour fees.

 

He cheated them out out that by promising to pay before he sailed out again, then transported his yacht overland to Newcastle for a display and sailed on from there.

 

Another beautiful day of flying near Goulburn today.

 

The traffic on the Hume Highway this weekend going south out of Sydney on Friday and back again today was the heaviest I've seen in many a long weekend, the only difference being that this time there was no double demerits in place and very few speed traps - if any. Yet I found the traffic very well behaved, probably better than other long weekends. I'm sure the police commissioner has a good explanation.;)

 

Cheers,

 

Glen

 

 

[Ben Longden]

I'm sure he has.

 

I guess it will be called "Cost Recovery" and the justification will no doubt be that as "the motorists of NSW will be the beneficiaries of the APEC, then they are the ones who will pay for it through fines".

 

and..... "Well, we need the money to pay the legals to bury the gestapo arrest we made on that jaywalker".

 

Ben

 

 

[Nev25]

I'm going to ask Ian (when I get around to it) for an aircraft enthusiast/monitoring thread for things like this. I think it would be better suited and would not clog the rest of the forum. I know there are a few spotters/radio heads/enthusiasts like myself out there on these forums.

I think that is a great idea :Bannana

 

I saw a AUSTER J1 at YLTV yesterday

 

First time I have ever seen one (didnt even know they existed)

 

 

[Allan]

Ben, yesterday's Crikey.com.au ezine had a different take on your so-called 'gestapo arrest on the jaywalker'. Unfortunately it's only available on their (paid) subscription website, but I'll include a few quotes from the article:

 

"How accountant and jay-walker Greg McLeay was arrested at APEC

 

A first hand account by an anonymous Sydneysider

 

I saw the arrest of Greg McLeay happen first hand, start to finish (well, not including the underground bit)."

 

"This dude fully brought it on himself, I'm no real fan of the cops (thanks to being done speeding at 5.20am on the way to work), but they handled this well considering the tension in the air around APEC. "

 

"I read the news article just this morning, and am struck by the differences in what 'happened', and what I saw."

 

http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070911-How-accountant-and-jay-walker-Greg-McLeay-was-arrested-at-APEC.html

 

(You can apparently sign up for a free trial subscription which presumably will give you access to the full article?)