Tu-95MS flight to US probably cancelled

Post by **Vympel** » 2004-06-19 02:53am

Russia to Cancel Bomber Flight Due to US Conditions

Created: 18.06.2004 14:40 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 18:51 MSK, 15 hours 41 minutes ago

MosNews

The planned flight of a Russian strategic bomber to the United States will likely be cancelled, Interfax news agency quoted the Air Force Commander-in-Chief, General Vladimir Mikhailov, as saying.

He explained that the United States "put forward unacceptable conditions," the agency reported. "For instance, we were told that one of their pilots must be in the crew. That is unacceptable."

The general quoted by the agency said that after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the United States had strongly tightened regulations on foreign aircraft flying over U.S. territory, especially warplanes.

However, U.S. embassy to Russia refuted the information on unacceptable conditions. "A diplomatic allowance for the plane's flight was given without any restrictions," an embassy press center official was quoted by the agency as saying. "In compliance with the practice of military pilots who are not acquainted with U.S. airspace, we grant aid for navigation, English language but we do not insist on doing it."

The bomber, a Tupolev-95MS, was to fly to the United States via the North Pole, along the same route as the famous Soviet aviator, Valeri Tchkalov.

Wierd.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2004-06-19 03:19am

Why would the USA want one of it's pilots in the crew? He'd be absolutly useless, it's not like he'd be familar with the aircraft.

Stuart Mackey · Post by **Stuart Mackey** » 2004-06-19 03:33am

Cpl Kendall wrote:Why would the USA want one of it's pilots in the crew? He'd be absolutly useless, it's not like he'd be familar with the aircraft.

Well obviously ghe would be a CIA plant who would spend the entire trip saying "Look over there! a UFO!" and when the crew is distracted, take pictures with a minature camera..These CIA types are diabolicaly cunning..

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2004-06-19 04:10am

Cpl Kendall wrote:Why would the USA want one of it's pilots in the crew? He'd be absolutly useless, it's not like he'd be familar with the aircraft.

That's not the point at all; an American would be onboard to ensure that they follow air traffic control procedures and can understand ground control. Doing this is not remotely uncommon; in fact it's rare for a large foreign military aircraft to travel across the US, same story for many other nations, without having USAF personal onboard. Single seat planes get a very close follow me escort.

It's all the more important with Russian pilots given their notoriety for speaking horrible English. IIRC Aeroflot nearly got banned from US airspace after incidents with its pilots who couldn't communicate with ground control. Speaking of which, I wonder if this is related to the dispute between the US and Russian over overflight rights for commercial airliners.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-06-19 04:22am

I wonder why the Russians refused having an American onboard. Its not like he is going to harm the aircraft anyway.

Kazuaki Shimazaki · Post by **Kazuaki Shimazaki** » 2004-06-20 09:32am

evilcat4000 wrote:I wonder why the Russians refused having an American onboard. Its not like he is going to harm the aircraft anyway.

Because they are worried he'd be a spy. This is a peaceful flight with no weapons or anything, but he might still be able to evaluate procedures, crew skill, operational doctrine. I really have trouble believing he would not be asked to write a report with all his observations on it upon landing.

If it is between the close fighter and this spy, I'd pick the close fighter armed with AIM-9 missiles.

jenat-lai · Post by **jenat-lai** » 2004-06-20 08:11pm

The cold war is over....

That said, the pilot would be given the observer seat. Possibly with a headset and a michrophone to interceed if he finds the russian co-pilot is having trouble communicating his intentions to the controllers.

Of course russia and america are still not the best of buddies. But I believe the request for either a close escort or a US guy on board (maybe call him a "Translator" or "Signaller", he'd have to be a pilot) is not an unreasonable one.