Helicopter training exercises over Formby and Hightown
You may have noticed the low flying helicopters over the last couple of days flying over Hightown and Formby from the Altcar training camp. They are in fact Royal Navy helicopters involved in search and rescue exercises.
A special Notification of Helicopter Operations at Altcar Training Camp was given to the residents of Hightown and Formby as follows:
There will be light to medium support Helicopters Operating in and around Altcar Training camp and the beach area from the period of 13th to 18th January 2019. It is anticipated that the noise levels will increase throughout various times within the period stated and varying times throughout each day.
Night and early morning activity is to be expected, especially between 14th to 17th January 2019. Any Inconvenience is regretted.
Colonel Mark Underhill OBE said: "Altcar Training Camp are once again hosting a tri - Service helicopter exercise over Hightown and Formby. Local residents may have noticed/heard helicopter activity into and out of Altcar Training Camp over the last couple of days. Through the commandant – Gordon Black, we have ascertained that: The helicopters – up to ten - will be on site until Friday 18th January. Subject to the exigencies of the MOD exercise, the programmed flying programme is 09:30hrs to 23:00hrs daily. However, depending on weather patterns and the exercise requirements, it may be necessary to fly until after midnight in order to allow the helicopters to re-fuel."
He went on to say: "At this stage we are not sure whether we are able to organise any visits onto camp to view the helicopters. We will know if anything is possible, hopefully on Wednesday when we can then inform the residents."
"Lastly, for tonight and tomorrow, all should note that different flights paths into/out of Altcar will be used. This is due to night shoots taking place on the ranges. Any inconvenience is regretted. Thank you."
The helicopters are of different types which include Chinooks and Merlins and are a fantastic site to see and hear.
Watch our short video taken last year on Tuesday 28th February......
A Chinook and a Merlin helicopter taken today over Formby
Here are some photos that Formby residents have captured as they fly over head.
This photo of a Chinook over Formby taken by Tracy Crosthwaite
These two photos above were take by Diane Brockbank over Formby
Here are some pictures of the helicopters whilst at Altcar two years ago when they invited members of the public to go down and have a look.
