Sonic Boom???

[mogs]

I was today going about my business as usual when suddenly there was an explosion and our house literally shook. All the cats and our dog were disturbed, as was I, I first thought it was a bomb going off in our nearest local town. It set the pool alarm off.

I went out into the garden and saw my neighbour, he had the same thing happen to him and said it was a Euro fighter going through the sound barrier. He apparently saw the jet but neither of us heard it until the explosion.

We seem to be on the flight path for the Euro jets when they train so often have them going right over the house at times. This is the first time I've ever had an experience like this. It was pretty scary.

Anyone else had similar experiences?

[woolybanana]

Hedgehog breaking wind?

Otherwise, yes they do break the barrier occasionally, but it is rare as it causes damage. The last time I remember it in the Vendee was when they were in a rush to intercept a Russian aircraft that was poking its nose where it shouldn't, and, yes, it was a shock.

That was reported extensively in the Press at the time.

If it happened above you, there must have been a reason; check the local press to see if it is discussed, or ask at the mairie, maybe.

[Hoddy]

I heard it too Mogs. Exactly as you describe and certainly shook the house. I made a note of the time 9.52 - does that coincide with your boom ?

[Doodle]

We get a sonic boom at least once a month here on the border of Normandie/Mayenne. Last week two jets that usually come over once a week were really low, lower than usual and the sound of them was deafening. The cats, horse and dogs were quite disturbed by the noise. So was I and I have a hearing problem!

Mrs KG

[mogs]

Yes Hoddy it was about that time, I phoned my daughter just after who works in the local town (Gourdon) and she said she wondered what it was too.

[Hoddy]

Gourdon is about eight miles from here as the jet flies so it seems we heard the same boom.

We do occasionally get very noisy low-flying jets here but, unlike your neighbour, I heard no plane this morning.

[Pierre ZFP]

Doesn't the sonic boom arrive before the sound of the jet?

I'm pretty sure this is the case so you may have been concentrating on the boom and not clearly hear the  jet noise.

[mogs]

Yes I think you're right Pierre, neither myself or my neighbour actually heard the jet, usually you here them coming but not this morning.

He saw the jet and like me only heard the explosion until after the jet had flown over.

Just now I took our dog for a brief walk along the lane and heard a jet then saw it fly right over me. I usually wave if I see them, they must think I'm mad

[Rabbie]

If the plane is flying towards you then you won't hear it if it is going faster than sound. The first you hear is the sonic boom

[Gardian]

We see the boys from Orange (the French Air Force base about 30kms from here) daily. Sometimes quite high, sometimes quite low (say 2k' or so) . Military air space, so the commercials from Nimes & Montpellier are already at 20k' +.

Harmless really, though I wouldn't want them around all the time.

[Hoddy]

Wooly was right it is reported in the local paper. It was over Villeneuve-sur-Lot which is further away than I expected it to be. It must have been heard over a huge area.

http://www.sudouest.fr/2016/09/07/explosion-dans-le-lot-et-garonne-avez-vous-entendu-un-grand-boum-2491979-3900.php

[mogs]

Blimey we have friends who live that way and they didn't hear a thing.

Thanks for posting Hoddy

[Lehaut]

We get them several times a year. Although not far from the Mt St Michel we are in a low fly zone of "sparce population". It is an horrific noise when you don't expect it. The whole house shakes. Would hate to be up a ladder when it came.

[Pierre ZFP]

I don't think they fly that low [8-)]

[Jonzjob]

That would depend on the height of the ladder [:-))]

For the few who are ignorant to the causes here is a bit of education for you [8-|]

[Lehaut]

This low enough for you?

https://youtu.be/gWGLAAYdbbc?t=112

[Jonzjob]

A floating ladder ehhhh [:-))] Now, that's deed crafty init already even [blink]

But that wouldn't work because by the time you'd got the ladder in place yer boat would have moved [8-)]

[Lehaut]

Obviously never used a jacobs ladder then?

[Pierre ZFP]

I've used a Screwfix one [:)]

[Jonzjob]

I didn't know that Screwfix sold Jacobs ladders [8-)]

[Lehaut]

Chucks perhaps?