UK: Tanks at Heathrow

George Sassoon adds the footnote to his remark about light tanks at Heathrow: "'Light' tanks round the passenger terminals won't stop SAM-7's being fired at aircraft on approach or after take-off. Patrols under the flight paths are being carried out, a more logical measure. An airline pilot has said that they should stop noise-abatement climbs, whereby the aircraft uses minimal power and climbs low and slow, the most dangerous flight situation. Rapid climbs at full power, though noisier, would get them out of range of the SAM's quicker".

Ronald Hilton - 2/13/03