RAF helicopter makes unexpected landing for ice cream

[dutchman]

This is the dramatic moment an RAF rescue helicopter landed on a beach for an 'emergency' stop...to buy Ice Cream!



The cheeky crew members were spotted emerging from their aircraft on the sand at Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk.

Worried beachgoers watched as they headed towards the shoreline and then pop into Winterton Dunes Beach Cafe.

Owner of five years Carmel Shiggins said she had never seen the helicopter land there before.

She said when people asked why they'd landed they didn't believe her.

She said: "People had been coming in asking what they were doing, was there an emergency? And I said no, they come in for an ice cream."

Cafe assistant, Francis Ford, 18 said he asked what was up and one crew member said "We're all entitled to a tea break".

Francis said they bought three Magnum Classics and one white chocolate Magnum.

One visitor, Lynn Mills, from Dereham, said: "We were sitting over in the corner having lunch and everyone said, look a Rescue helicopter has landed.

"In they walked with helmet in their hand and said, "It's alright we just want an ice cream."

"They went outside and waved to us all as they left and it was very nice to see."


Layla and Romany with thier ice creams wave the helicopter off

An RAF source said the incident took place during a training sortie for a “relatively inexperienced co-pilot”.

After completing a number of flying exercises and the beach landing he was being debriefed by his Captain.

The source said: “During the period of the in-cockpit debrief one of the rear crew departed the aircraft for refreshments. Clearly, this is not a routine occurrence but the crew were not breaking any rules.”

A spokesman said: “SAR (search and rescue) crews complete a variety of training sorties when not completing life saving operations.

“Crews are often required to land on beaches during SAR operations and they regularly practise this skill as part of routine training sorties.

“Whilst the actions of the rear crew (not pilots as widely reported) to obtain refreshments during this sortie were not standard practice, it should be noted that they were not in breach of regulations.”

[StevieG]

They are only normal people

[Spuffler]

And if members of the Royal Family can use helicopters for dating their girlfriends etc., (and of course they're only normal people, too!!!) what's wrong with ordinary RAF personnel using one to fetch ice creams?