I spent about 15 - 20 minutes watching an RAF Chinook barrelling around the sky scaring all the light aircraft pilots for about a 5 or 6 mile radius. It was like watching a raptor attacking a flock of birds or a shark moving into a school of fish.

There is a small airfield not far away and the area is also a low fly zone for RAF helicopters and the odd fast jet. I am amazed there isn't more problems at times.

I think the wokka-wokka pilot was showing off a bit and having fun. he was throwing the Chinook around like a WRC car. Basically flat out and sometimes sideways at about 400 or 500 feet at the most. I reckon the cessna and other pilots were wise to climb and give him a wide berth.

#RAF #Chinook #LightAircraft #WokkaWokka

Light aircraft overturns at Swansea Airport — two taken to hospital

An investigation is underway after a light aircraft overturned on landing at Swansea Airport on Saturday 19 July, leaving two people injured.

The privately-owned single-engine sports plane had been out on a leisure flight around the Gower before attempting to land. Emergency services say the aircraft veered left and flipped over on the runway, sustaining significant damage and rendering it a write-off.

The pilot, an 84-year-old man from Sketty, and his passenger, a 78-year-old woman from Reading, were taken to Morriston Hospital by the Welsh Ambulance Service. Both were treated for injuries but are not believed to be seriously hurt.

Emergency response and investigation

Crews from Swansea West and Swansea Central fire stations attended the scene alongside police and ambulance teams. The incident was reported at 4.28pm, and crews left the site just over an hour later.

Skydive Swansea, which was operating at the airport on the day, assisted at the scene and helped return the damaged aircraft to its hangar.

South Wales Police said the crash is believed to be the result of pilot error, and confirmed that no concerns were raised about the pilot’s fitness to fly.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the incident.

Airport operating under new management

The crash comes just weeks after Swansea Airport entered a new chapter, with the Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance taking over operations on a temporary basis following the end of the previous lease.

The council-owned airport is currently unlicensed, meaning it cannot host commercial passenger flights, but private aviation activities — including flying schools and skydiving — continue unaffected.

The Stakeholders Alliance, made up of local aviation groups and volunteers, stepped in after Swansea Council announced a change of operator was imminent due to a “range of issues” with former leaseholder Swansea Airport Ltd. The group is now awaiting a council decision on whether it will be granted the lease full-time.

Related stories on Swansea Airport and aviation safety

New chapter begins for Swansea Airport
Published June 2025: Volunteer-led Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance takes over operations on a temporary basis, with a long-term lease decision pending from Swansea Council.

Change of operator in sight for Swansea Airport
Published May 2025: Council confirms end of lease with Swansea Airport Ltd following operational concerns, paving the way for new management and future investment.

Swansea students graduate from Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Passport to Change’ programme at Swansea Airport ceremony
Published July 2025: Local students celebrate achievements in aviation and STEM education at a special event hosted at Swansea Airport.

Emergency services thanked for their ‘swift action’ following Porthcawl plane crash
Published April 2025: Crews respond to a separate light aircraft incident in Porthcawl, highlighting the importance of coordinated emergency response across South Wales.

#AAIB #AirAccidentInvestigationBranch #Fairwood #lightAircraft #planeCrash #Swansea #SwanseaAirport

@thaj

hpr4387 :: Did she say she flew light aircraft?!
Wherein Elsbeth expounds on her experience with light aircraft and how it relates to her geekiness

https://hackerpublicradio.org/eps/hpr4387/index.html

#hackerpublicradio #hpr @hpr
#flying #lightaircraft