Manchester Airport Forum | Near Miss Tonight

There was a near miss over Manchester tonight.

I saw a helicopter racing at around 2,500 ft going ridculously fast which i thought was odd at the time.

About 15/20 seconds later a Thomas Cook jet came across the flight path, clealry i could now work out
why the helicopter was racing to get clear of the airliner. The TC jet was at approx 2,500 feet too.

This could have been very very nasty.

I guess ATC would have spotted this on radar and that the Thomas Cook crew had the helicopter visual. Situational awareness on radio would have also played a role as both parties could hear each other and where their positions were relative to each other.

How good are your guesses regarding altittude and comparing relative sizes of a helicopter versues 757/A320/A321 if they were around the same height? There's more than enough evidence on the internet where photos show "imminent" danger of collision when there's more than legal height and distance separation. 2500 feet would equate to roughly 8 or 9 miles out - travelling at about 200 knots should mean that the Thomas Cook travelled at least 1 mile, not withstanding that the helicopter would have done the same and/or descend to 1500 feet whch I believe is the lowest any aircraft/helicopter can travel over populated areas away from landing areas

I am not a bad judge to be fair david, its likely thinking back that the helicopter was 500 ft lower than the jet but even so very close. The helicopter was moving so fast not see one going that rapid in a built up area ever.

I really do think you should consider becoming a headline writer for one of the tabloid newspapers, given that they seem to revel in this type of sensationalism.

If there really had been any risk of a collision, the helicopter pilot would either have slowed down and/or changed course, i.e. as opposed to "racing to get clear" of the other aircraft, added to which, as david_itl has already stated, both aircraft would have travelled some considerable distance in the time that it took for their tracks to converge.

Did you see the incident Baltimore?

Whether I did or didn't (see the incident) is irrelevant. For the reasons stated above, what you describe was almost certainly not a 'near miss' or AIRPROX.

I think judging the incident unless seen is merely tonge in cheek or throw away comments.
Its ok defending the situation but SAW it with my own eyes

Guess we'll wait for the Airprox report

Latest Airprox Report

I've read nothing to suggest the TCX TCAS activated. They certainly shout if it does and this is often the case when the GMP chopper is chasing joy riders in the vicinity. All usually managed in a controlled manner.

Have you ever watched the helicopters at Heathrow when they cross the airfield?
The helicopter will have been told of the approach traffic and asked to cross at best speed to avoid any confliction and if the controller thought they may be a bit close the helicopter would have been waved off to Hill top or Sale water park VRP also the landing jet would have had him on TCAS so would know where he was and what altitude

Very interesting site that Betablockeruk

Like you guys say it could easily be something and nothing.

Visually that didnt appear to be the case though.

Anyone any idea what the helicopter was by the way?

It's near impossible to get a good 'guestimate' of an aircrafts height ;)

You should write for the Daily Mail

I dont read the Daily Mail i'll take that as a compliment Thanks Sam :O)

I wouldn`t take it as a compliment!!!!!

I would its a well paid job journalism dont cha know

Hi.
There was no airprox, near miss or whatever term you wish to use at Manchester yesterday.

I think this is a very useful site and sensible questions are welcomed and should be sensibly answered. If you feel that you have witnessed something unusual then by all means seek more information however the sensationalist rubbish in the IP is a complete turn off.

Anyway, there are currently two helicopters at Barton, one operating for the GM police and the other Medevac. The Medevac callsign is Helimed followed by numbers and if suffixed by Alpha is a Category A flight and has priority over all other flights except those in emergency. It is probable that you saw one of these two helicopters.

It is also worth mentioning that, during daylight, there is no required separation between VFR (the helicopter) and IFR (TCX flight) traffic as long as traffic information has been passed to each aircraft.

Thank you seahawks - very informative.

I couldn't agree more - and, on that note, this thread is now locked.