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Thread: Drones Shut Gatwick

  1. #1

    Default Drones Shut Gatwick

    Seems some idiot(s) are intentionally disrupting flights to/from London's second busiest airport, forcing it to shut all day so far. Flights cancelled and diverted, leaving tens thousands of passengers stranded or without ability to get home or to destination on an extremely busy travel day for the xmas holiday period.

    Quote Originally Posted by BBC

    Tens of thousands of passengers have been disrupted by drones flying over one of the UK's busiest airports.



    Gatwick's runway has been shut since Wednesday night, as devices have been repeatedly flying over the airfield.

    Sussex Police said it was not terror-related but a "deliberate act" of disruption, using "industrial specification" drones.

    About 110,000 passengers on 760 flights were due to fly on Thursday. Disruption could last "several days".

    An airline source told the BBC flights were currently cancelled until at least 19:00 GMT.

    The airport advised that the runway would not open "until it was safe to do so".

    Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed the Army has been called in to support Sussex Police.

    He said: "The armed forces have a range of unique capabilities and this isn't something we would usually deploy but we are there to assist and do everything we can so that they are in a position to open the airport at the earliest opportunity."

    Those due to travel have been told to check the status of their flight, while Easyjet told its passengers not to go to Gatwick if their flights have been cancelled.

    The shutdown started just after 21:00 on Wednesday, when two drones were spotted flying "over the perimeter fence and into where the runway operates from".

    The runway briefly reopened at 03:01 on Thursday but was closed again about 45 minutes later amid "a further sighting of drones".

    The airport said at about 12:00 a drone had been spotted "in the last hour".

    Gatwick chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said: "The police are looking for the operator and that is the way to disable the drone."

    He said police had not wanted to shoot the devices down because of the risk from stray bullets.

    He said it remained unsafe to reopen the airport after the drone had been spotted too close to the runway.

    Mr Woodroofe said: "If we were to reopen today we will first repatriate passengers who are in the wrong place which could take several days."

    More than 20 police units from two forces are searching for the perpetrator, who could face up to five years in jail.

    Supt Justin Burtenshaw, head of armed policing for Sussex and Surrey, described attempts to catch whoever was controlling the drones as "painstaking" because it was "a difficult and challenging thing to locate them".

    "Each time we believe we get close to the operator, the drone disappears; when we look to reopen the airfield, the drone reappears," he said.

    About 10,000 passengers were affected overnight on Wednesday and Gatwick said 110,000 people were due to either take off or land at the airport on Thursday.

    Incoming planes were diverted to other airports including London Heathrow, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow, Paris and Amsterdam.

    Crowds of travellers spent the morning waiting inside Gatwick's terminal for updates, while others reported being stuck on grounded planes for hours.

    Are you waiting for your flight at Gatwick Airport? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

    A Gatwick spokeswoman said extra staff had been brought in and the airport was "trying their best" to provide food and water to those who needed it.

    About 11,000 people are stuck at the airport, Mr Woodroofe said.

    A number of flights bound for Gatwick were diverted to other airports overnight, including seven to Luton, 11 to Stansted and five to Manchester. Other flights have landed at Cardiff, Birmingham and Southend.

    The Civil Aviation Authority said it considered this event to be an "extraordinary circumstance", and therefore airlines were not obligated to pay any financial compensation to passengers.

    Alex Neill, from consumer rights group Which?, said people "may still be entitled to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation or transfers".

    Kasia Jaworska told the BBC she was travelling from Glasgow to Gatwick with her boyfriend when her flight was diverted to Luton.

    She said she thought it was "strange" that two drones had led to the closure of the airport.

    "You would imagine there would be better security in place and emergency action for something like that," she said.

    Christopher Lister, who had been returning from Kiev, posted a picture of people sleeping "on every seat and across the floors" on board his flight.

    He said the photo was taken six hours after the plane - which was due to arrive at Gatwick - landed in Birmingham.

    Can understand the police not wishing to fire at the drones to bring them down, the risk of stray bullets would seem too great.

    I have heard of trained eagles being able to bring down these drones. No mention of that here.

    Absolute fucking chaos cos of idiots with toys.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  2. #2
    Drone nets are a thing, and I suspect airport security worldwide is going to get training on them in the very near future. A plane's nose cone was shattered just a couple of days ago by a possible drone.
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  3. #3
    Use of drone to interfere with aviation should be auto terrorism charges. First offense 10 years of prison regardless of age. Bam problem solved.

  4. #4
    Army has now been called in. Specialist equipment to hand. They may use snipers too.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Lewkowski View Post
    Use of drone to interfere with aviation should be auto terrorism charges. First offense 10 years of prison regardless of age. Bam problem solved.
    In what sense is this terrorism?
    There's a man goin' 'round, takin' names
    And he decides who to free and who to blame

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Lewkowski View Post
    Use of drone to interfere with aviation should be auto terrorism charges. First offense 10 years of prison regardless of age. Bam problem solved.
    And that's why there's absolutely no terrorism anywhere in the world today.

    Oh wait, no, there is. You stupid bastard.

    Quote Originally Posted by Unheard Of View Post
    In what sense is this terrorism?
    That said, I think there's pretty good reason to think that whoever's doing this has a reason beyond motivation beyond 'lol prankz'. It seems like a well planned operation, with more than one drone, designed to shut down Gatwick for an entire day, recalling drones when the get close to finding the operator then coming back again when they're about to reopen the airport.
    re
    When the sky above us fell
    We descended into hell
    Into kingdom come

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    And that's why there's absolutely no terrorism anywhere in the world today.

    Oh wait, no, there is. You stupid bastard.
    More people die in America to drunk drivers than they do to terrorists. Seems like its mostly working.

  8. #8
    Y'all need to chill the fuck out:

    https://newsthump.com/2018/12/20/dro...onomy-flights/

    Quote Originally Posted by Lewkowski View Post
    More people die in America to drunk drivers than they do to terrorists. Seems like its mostly working.
    This is super dumb. Please consider the alternative explanations for why more people might be killed by drunk drivers than by terrorists.
    "One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Lewkowski View Post
    More people die in America to drunk drivers than they do to terrorists. Seems like its mostly working.
    "More people die in America than the do to"... Lewk, you stupid bastard.

    Go and think about what you've done.
    When the sky above us fell
    We descended into hell
    Into kingdom come

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Lewkowski View Post
    More people die in America to drunk drivers than they do to terrorists. Seems like its mostly working.


    Statistical Comparisons 101 for American rednecks.

    1. How many Americans drink?
    2. How many Americans drive?
    3. How many Americans drink and drive?
    4. How many terrorists are on American soil?
    5. How many of those terrorists have the capability and intent to act?

    Compare 3 and 5.
    Draw straightforward conclusion.

    Get back to us if you are still finding this a challenge.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  11. #11
    Gatwick is now entering its 3rd day of being shut.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Lewkowski View Post
    More people die in America to drunk drivers than they do to terrorists. Seems like its mostly working.
    Well, you know what to do. DUI? First offense 10 years of prison regardless of age. Bam problem solved.
    Carthāgō dēlenda est

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by BalticSailor View Post
    Well, you know what to do. DUI? First offense 10 years of prison regardless of age. Bam problem solved.
    I would be in full support of this.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lewkowski View Post
    I would be in full support of this.
    No, you would not.

    As for the assholes who are doing this ; I would like to see a whole library of laws hit them full force. And I hope there is a law which allows throwing them in jail.
    Congratulations America

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Hazir View Post
    As for the assholes who are doing this ; I would like to see a whole library of laws hit them full force. And I hope there is a law which allows throwing them in jail.
    Max 5 years custody under current laws.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by BBC
    Gatwick's runway has reopened after drones caused the airport to shut down for more than a day.

    The airport, the UK's second busiest, said 765 flights were scheduled for departure and arrival.

    Boss Chris Woodroofe said police had not yet found the drone operator. Police said it was possible they were an environmental activist.

    He said extra "mitigating measures" from the government and military had given him "confidence to reopen".
    It may take a while to catch them, but I'm sure the police will put all resources into catching the perpetrators.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Timbuk2 View Post
    It may take a while to catch them, but I'm sure the police will put all resources into catching the perpetrators.
    And I'm sure they'll succeed. Eventually. Once caught they should be sent down for a long time, they probably won't be though. Due to how high profile this is they could for once actually get the maximum sentence but even then would still be out after 2.5 years.

    "Just shoot down the drones" doesn't work either, or at least is a hell of a lot riskier than people assume. The risk of collateral damage or death is high because anyone opening fire would literally be shooting without knowing where the projectiles would end up. Is it worth bringing down a drone but killing a pedestrian two miles away? A rifle shot aimed into the sky to take down a drone would travel upto 2.5 miles before landing and could of course be deadly if it struck anyone.

    Drone nets have their risks too OG.

    https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/1...tdown_reasons/
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  18. #18
    It's OK everyone. It's OK.


  19. #19
    What Liz Truss [2 years ago] said was entirely correct and not at all relevant to this.

    Trained dogs have been quite successful and detecting and deterring the use of drones to smuggle contraband into prisons. The dogs barking alerts the POs to their presence who can then intercept and prevent the contraband smuggling.

    Of course what's happening at Gatwick is completely different.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  20. #20
    Ah, my bad. I didn't realise that was 2 years ago.

  21. #21
    Yeah its gone viral today with people implying Truss said it as a suggestion to Gatwick. But listening to the full sentence she's clearly talking about dealing with smuggling into prisons and not the airport. The original quote is from 2016 and in 2017 the justice department reported the new dogs had been quite successful.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  22. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    What Liz Truss [2 years ago] said was entirely correct and not at all relevant to this.

    Trained dogs have been quite successful and detecting and deterring the use of drones to smuggle contraband into prisons. The dogs barking alerts the POs to their presence who can then intercept and prevent the contraband smuggling.

    Of course what's happening at Gatwick is completely different.
    But everybody knows that dogs can't look up...

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    Drone nets have their risks too OG.
    The article is referring to actual nets someone drops, shoots or throws

    I'm referring to drones with nets that are designed to catch other drones.

    Click to view the full version
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  24. #24
    Fighting fire with fire.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  25. #25
    If the airport is already closed, these things are by far the quickest way to clear the airspace. They can be deployed the instant something is spotted in controlled airspace, they're designed to limit things breaking apart hundreds of feet in the air, and they preserve evidence.
    Last edited by Ominous Gamer; 12-21-2018 at 08:41 PM.
    "In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."

  26. #26
    Yes it looks like a smart investment.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  27. #27
    .... aaaaaand ... they're at it again.

    Quote Originally Posted by BBC
    Gatwick Airport drones: Flights suspended again
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  28. #28
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
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    Hmmh. I wonder if that problem couldn't be solved by a moderately powerful multi-kiloWatt laser. They're not that expensive anymore, after all.
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  29. #29
    Man and a woman have been arrested.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  30. #30
    One of them is a cyclist, sounds almost like be might be a MAMIL
    "One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."

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