Contrails

[Charl]

Happen to look up while out in the garden at around 11:30 this morning



Nothing on the usual tracking sites.
I am wondering what altitude would generate the contrails, it's pretty unusual to see around here.
It seemed to motoring along pretty smartly, too.

[Sonnyj]

Yeah me too from NZTA, About 7:30. it was a bit thinner but straight. Like no wind. Maybe there was a couple or more given your viewing was a bit later. Pretty high though.

[dbcunnz]

Here in Blenheim we see them several times a week depending on the weather aircraft flying between NZAA to NZCH and NZDN and return also aircraft flying NZWN to YMML

[Charl]

OK so it wasn't a UFO checking out the latest America's Cup challengers
We don't often see them because the direct routes to the south aren't over Auckland?
Maybe a high-flying rugby fan returning to Wellington from Tokyo...

[Lindstrim]

Quite possibly NAN-CHC or WLG. Their track I think goes via AA before heading further south

[Charl]

Wellington, yes



Didn't show up on Flightradar though, surely you'd fly that with a transponder showing?
THat Jackson feller again...

[Sonnyj]

ah ha - covert huh. :-)

[SUBS17]

OK so it wasn't a UFO checking out the latest America's Cup challengers
We don't often see them because the direct routes to the south aren't over Auckland?
Maybe a high-flying rugby fan returning to Wellington from Tokyo...

US military Aircraft patrolling over New Zealand including Superhornet's from a Carrier not far from New Zealand.
...the good guys.

[Aharon]

That contrail is probably from Splitpin flying P3D plane or Jankees flying FSX plane.

Regards,

Aharon

[SUBS17]

You'll know combat aircraft when you see them as they often fly in pairs, so a pair of contrails is two combat aircraft in a standard combat spread patrolling over New Zealand armed with mostly smart weapons for ground targets. Often it is F-15's and Superhornets, another way to spot them is their beacons can be set for different patterns on the Superhornet and this sequence makes them stand out among other aircraft types....lol I invited them here.