Forum Topic

Late night aircraft noise

Anyone know what was going on in our skies yesterday evening and early this morning. What sounded like a small aircraft (or several) was flying around the area on and off from about 10.30pm till about 4am. It wasn't the police helicopter - definitely a plane. Any ideas?

Mick Brent ● 3825d7 Comments

My mistake, I was being a bit generic and should have just said "prop. "I did know it was piston engined but I do find either a rather soothing noise but do prefer the noise of a turbo prop at cruising speed.Spent years flying in Viscounts, Vanguards, Britannias and Dash-7s in an earlier career along with jets that were so common at the time but now extinct, Caravelles, Tridents and VC10s to name a few. Happy Days and often quite hairy!I could go further and differentiate between radial engines and the like but I can't find my anorak!The movements the other night involved far more changes in pitch than usual, it sounded more like an air display. Usually it is is quite steady and measured.

Raymond Havelock ● 3824d

Thanks guys - at least we know what it was now. It did sound like a piston engine rather than a turbo prop, so that explains it.

Mick Brent ● 3824d

> It Made 8 approaches last night and was active earlier in the week probable testing the steeper approaches announced. No, it was calibrating the ILS, which is set at the normal approach angle.  The ILS can't be used for the steeper approaches.> Fortunately, I find the sound of a turbo-prop quite soothing.What you heard was an old-fashioned reciprocating (piston) engine, not a turboprop.

Dave Robertson ● 3824d

Once they have gone into final approach, That is the aircraft has aligned into the allotted runway approach, it starts it's final descent and the landing gear is dropped.The rule if thumb is the Thames and depending on aircraft type . By the time aircraft reach Kew Bridge they 'glide' with the engines on low thrust. This runs as far as Brentford-Syon End when the engines increase to maintain altitude and airspeed.This is why aircraft are so much noisier in Putney and Chiswick and Osterley.This is dependent on prevailing winds. When the weather is less stable it is different as the engines will be used more for stability. It's noticeable too that aircraft now leave putting down the landing gear to much later.  We used play a game guessing when the wheels would drop at a pals house in Chiswick Staithe. Most would do it almost right overhead or within view.Now many are over Osterley/Isleworth before wheels drop.

Raymond Havelock ● 3824d

Hi - what do you mean that currently aircraft 'glide over Brentford' please?

Anne England ● 3824d

It Made 8 approaches last night and was active earlier in the week probable testing the steeper approaches announced. This was much more noticeable than usual.Fortunately, I find the sound of a turbo-prop quite soothing.I don't think I would be so happy if they used a jet to these tests.The new  steeper descent will involve more use of engines to keep airspeed as well as more use of the control surfaces.Currently, the majority of aircraft glide over Brentford.It could well lead to increased and irregular noise over a wider area.

Raymond Havelock ● 3824d

It was the Aircraft that checks the approach lights and the landing aids at Heathrow it makes a few passes then you dont hear it for a few months

Bernard Allen ● 3824d