Moscow Furious After US Spy Plane Endangeres Civilian Planes on Russia's Border

[TaiShang]

Moscow Furious After US Spy Plane Endangeres Civilian Planes on Russia's Border
Flew into civilian airzone with transponders turned off and could not be tracked by civilian traffic control



Here's news that went largely unreported in the west. Straight from the US government-funded Radio Free Europe:

Russia said it summoned a U.S. defense attache on May 23 after an American military aircraft flew into civilian airspace during a reconnaissance mission near Russia's far-eastern border.

Russia's defense ministry said that the U.S. Air Force RC-135 surveillance plane risked colliding with passenger planes as it flew over the Sea of Japan on May 22 because it had turned its transponders off and could not be detected by civilian radar, although it was flying at an altitude typically used by passenger jets.

The U.S. crew did not inform regional authorities of the plane's route, said the ministry.

"The U.S. plane crew's unprofessional actions created the danger of a collision with...civilian airlines," the ministry said, adding that measures must be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Potentially endangering civilian air traffic is bad enough, as is harassing Russia which constant surveillance flights just at the tip of its border. Combining the two is absolutely scandalous.

Imagine if a Russian military plane had strayed into civilian air zone off the coast of Florida but kept its transponder off. In such a case the media would quite rightfully shred Kremlin to bits. Alas it was actually the Americans and therefore there is not even a whimper.

@Kaptaan

 

[jhungary]

I have never heard that Military Plane were forbidden to use Civilian Air Corridor. This is quite a stupid point. Civilian Air corridor opened to all air traffic, the only limited access air corridor is Military Airway or Restricted Exclusion zone directed by local Military Airspace. Which forbid unauthorised entry to such airway otherwise risking shot down. Both of which were not any type of Civilian Air Corridor.

Class E Airspace also restricted VFR Flight, but I don't see how RC-135 would fly that low.

All Military aircraft, from fix wing to helicopter fly with VFR rules, they are not required to report to local ATC as with any private pilot piloting Cessna over civilian air corridor.

So saying a US Military Aircraft fly into civilian corridor violate any ICAO rules are frankly stupid. If Civilian Air Corridor forbid VFR flight without transponder (Which is highly unlikely for US to turn off their Transponder anyway) then Russia would not be allowing any VFR pilot, which means Civilian aviation in Russia does not exist as every entry pilot have to fly in civilian air corridor with VFR, without transponder.

 

[damm1t]

It's hilarious to see how Russians are "worried" about civilian aviation security. Specially after Russia-backed seperatists hit a civilian airplane of Malaysian Airlines by Russian-made BUK missile. Oh, and don't forget about Korean Airlines, Flight 007.

 

[jhungary]

It's hilarious to see how Russians are "worried" about civilian aviation security. Specially after Russia-backed seperatists hit a civilian airplane of Malaysian Airlines by Russian-made BUK missile. Oh, and don't forget about Korean Airlines, Flight 007.

Don't forget, Russian can only complaint unless the incident happened INSIDE Russian Territorial Air Space, Russian does not OWN CIVIL INTERNATIONAL aviation corridor. That is whatever the US did or did not do in the International Air Corridor, it was not of Russian Matter.

Unless Russia try to claim the incident happened within Russian Airspace. Otherwise I don't see any point protesting.

 

[FullMetalJacket]

It's hilarious to see how Russians are "worried" about civilian aviation security. Specially after Russia-backed seperatists hit a civilian airplane of Malaysian Airlines by Russian-made BUK missile. Oh, and don't forget about Korean Airlines, Flight 007.

You still haven't had your fill yet for cowardly shooting down a russian bomber. You will soon get what you fully deserve, turkroach.

 

[damm1t]

You still haven't had your fill yet for cowardly shooting down a russian bomber. You will soon get what you fully deserve, turkroach.

You may open your house's door for any uninvited stranger who wishes to get in without permission while your family members are inside But my house's doors are closed for intruders. Otherwise;

 

[barbarosa]

Russia has no ability to become super power as USSR once again,nor China. The China become a trader country, she could not use its money for its political interest in the hole world as USA, except trade.Both the countries can't play their role in the world politics.