Air Force practices new low-level flights: These regions are affected!

Air Force practices new low-level flights: These regions are affected!

The Air Force has had the green light for more low-level flights over Germany for a week. Specifically, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Northern Brandenburg are also affected. Again Uckermark courier reports, combat aircraft are now allowed to fly below 1,500 feet, which is being tested in clearly defined training areas.

A central training area is the so-called LFA 8. This extends from Stralsund and Ribnitz-Damgarten in the north via Havelberg and Pritzwalk to Oranienburg and Eberswalde in the south. Greifswald, Anklam and Pasewalk are also on the borders of this area. The new regulations specify minimum flight altitudes and operating times and limit the altitude of low-level flights to 250 feet (around 75 meters) for a maximum of 120 seconds.

Reasons for low-level flights being allowed again

Like that Mirror further explains, this measure is due to the changed security policy situation in Europe. The exercises allow the Air Force to train its operational tactics while providing the opportunity to minimize the risk of detection by enemy radar systems by using natural terrain shadows.

The Bundeswehr has made it clear that no low-level flight exercises below 500 feet took place in LFA 8. Flight operations are particularly tailored to the many wind turbines in the training areas, which are often higher than 75 meters. Careful flight paths should ensure that you stay at a sufficient distance from these facilities.

The aircraft noise is back

The return to low-altitude flights also brings with it increased noise pollution. How T Online reported, an increase in aircraft noise is expected, especially during two of the planned operating hours, which are usually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exceptions during military maneuvers are also possible.

In addition to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, affected regions also include parts of northern Hesse, Lower Saxony on the border with the Netherlands, the area around Rothenburg an der Wümme, Schleswig-Holstein around the Jagel base and Bavarian areas around Ellwangen and Donauwörth. Many flights are carried out with Eurofighters and Tornados, which are once again showing more presence in the sky.

The decision to allow low-level flights clearly shows that the Bundeswehr wants to respond to current security policy requirements. The operations are planned until at least 2025, but many residents are wondering how they should deal with the returning noise pollution.

An exciting time for aviation in Germany, and it remains to be seen how these exercises will develop in the coming months.