State-of-the-art RAF warplane pilot declares mid-air emergency near Edinburgh

The aircraft was forced to land
-Credit:Liverpool Echo/Andrew Teebay


A Royal Air Force plane that was flying near Edinburgh on Wednesday was forced to declare a mid-air emergency.

The Typhoon, which left RAF Lossiemouth at around midday, had a refuelling issue. An RAF Voyager, which was leading the formation, declared the emergency.

The Typhoon pilot returned and landed safely. The planes were on their way to the US to participate on Exercise Red Flag.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly's Chris McCausland 'speaking to lawyers' after Dianne Buswell video

READ MORE: East Lothian villagers win fight to stop footpath through woodland

READ MORE - Edinburgh drivers face delays as A1 East Lothian smash leaves car wrecked

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE - Edinburgh mum told pain was 'pregnancy related' before long-term diagnosis

An RAF spokesman said: "Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were departing the UK yesterday to participate on Exercise Red Flag in the US, they were led by an RAF Voyager who was providing air-to-air refuelling.

"One of the Typhoons had a refuelling issue resulting in the formation declaring an emergency, the aircraft returned to base and landed safely."

On transits that involve air-to-air refuelling, the fleet is led by the Voyager - which is why the emergency was called in by its crew on behalf of the Typhoon.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

On their website, the RAF top brass describe the Typhoon. They say: "The Typhoon FGR.Mk 4 is a highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed on a variety of air operations, including air policing, peace support and high-intensity conflict.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Initially deployed in the air-to-air role as the Typhoon F.Mk 2, the aircraft now has a potent, precision multi-role capability as the FGR4. The pilot performs many essential functions through the aircraft’s hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) interface which, combined with an advanced cockpit and the Helmet Equipment Assembly (HEA), renders Typhoon superbly equipped for all aspects of air operations."

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Describing the Voyager, they added: "Voyager is the RAF’s sole air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker and also operates as a strategic air transport.

"The aircraft is in service as the Voyager KC.Mk 2, equipped with two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, and as the Voyager KC.Mk 3, with an additional centreline hose for use by large aircraft."