RAF Chinook helicopter spotted flying low over Formby during afternoon training activity
Residents across Formby were treated to an impressive sight today, Wednesday 28 October, as a Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter made repeated flights along the coastline between Altcar Training Camp and RAF Woodvale.
The distinctive twin-rotor military helicopter attracted attention as it flew over parts of Formby, with residents hearing the unmistakable sound of its powerful engines and seeing the aircraft passing overhead at relatively low altitude.
Footage captured from Callan Crescent in Formby shows the enormous helicopter flying against a cloudy afternoon sky, with its distinctive tandem rotors clearly visible.
Flight tracking information from Flightradar24 identified the aircraft as a Boeing Chinook HC.5, registration ZH904, operating under the callsign SHF595, also displayed as RFR595.
The tracking data showed the helicopter making several movements along the Formby coastline, including flights towards Southport before returning south towards Altcar and the Woodvale area.
At one point, the aircraft was recorded at a barometric altitude of approximately 250 feet, although this reading does not necessarily represent its exact height above the ground.
Military training at Altcar during October
The helicopter activity comes during a period of scheduled military training at Altcar Rifle Range in Hightown.
According to the official October 2026 notification published by the North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, live firing and dry training activities are authorised throughout the month.
The notice confirms that live firing may take place between 8am and 3.30pm, seven days a week, from 1 October until 31 October.
Dry training exercises may also take place at any time throughout October, with blank ammunition and pyrotechnics potentially being used during activities.
Fridays are normally designated as non-live-firing days, although operational training can take place at short notice.
The official notification also confirms that the land and sea danger areas are closed whenever red flags or red warning lights are displayed.
An air danger height of 1,000 feet applies when the ranges are in use.
Although the Chinook was operating in the vicinity of Altcar Training Camp, the precise purpose of Wednesday’s helicopter movements has not been officially confirmed.
What is a Chinook helicopter?
The Boeing Chinook is one of the most recognisable helicopters operated by the Royal Air Force. Unlike conventional helicopters, which have a single main rotor and a smaller tail rotor, the Chinook features two large rotors mounted at the front and rear of the aircraft.
This distinctive design allows it to lift extremely heavy loads and operate in challenging conditions.
Chinooks are used for a wide variety of military operations, including transporting troops, carrying equipment and supplies, moving heavy loads and supporting emergency operations.
They have also played an important role in humanitarian missions and disaster relief operations around the world.
The aircraft’s powerful engines and large rotor blades produce a distinctive deep sound that can often be heard from a considerable distance.
A familiar sight along the Sefton coastline
The Formby, Hightown and Woodvale areas have a long association with military aviation and training.
Altcar Training Camp is an established military training facility, while RAF Woodvale, situated near Formby and Southport, has a long history of aviation activity.
Military aircraft are occasionally seen operating along this stretch of the Sefton coastline, although the appearance of a large Chinook helicopter flying repeatedly over the area is still an impressive sight for local residents.
Wednesday’s movements were particularly noticeable because of the helicopter’s size, distinctive sound and repeated flights over the coastline.
Did you see the Chinook flying over Formby this afternoon? Perhaps you managed to capture photographs or video of the aircraft. Let us know on Formby Bubble.
Sources: Flightradar24 flight tracking information and the North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association’s official Altcar Rifle Range training notification for October 2026.
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