Helicopters at Altcar: Residents invited to see the aircraft and chat to crews

Aircraft will be at Army training camp to carry out training operations

Local residents are invited to visit Altcar Training Camp in Hightown, to see visiting helicopters and speak to their crews.

The previous such event was so successful that the offer is again being made for the public to make a visit to the Camp on Monday, November 30, between 3.30pm, and 5pm.

Visits would have to be made on foot due to parking and security issues. It is also subject to reasonable weather conditions.

Altcar Army Training Camp will see a number of training operations take place involving both troops and helicopters from Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 4.

The manoeuvres will take place during both daylight and night-time hours as soldiers and pilots are given vital combat training.

The British Army is appealing for understanding from residents living near Altcar Army Training Camp as vital helicopter training takes place.

A spokesman said: “For the residents of Hightown and those local to Altcar Training Camp on behalf of the commandant we just want to inform you that, weather permitting, Altcar will be home to a number of helicopters from Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 4, 2015.

“As in the previous visits there will be a number of night flights which will involve taking off and landing at the camp.

“Obviously the flight path will mean a certain amount of noise to the residents for which we apologise in advance.

“We will do our best to pass out rough flight timings once we are aware of the flight schedules – these won’t be specific timings.

“There will be some extra noise.

“I hope you will all understand that these are operational helicopters which do have to undertake a number of exercises each year so the pilots remain current.

“We apologise in advance for the extra noise but hope that you all understand the reasons.”

Story and photo source: Southport Visiter by Andrew Brown