Circular contrails

[Butch]

Yesterday i saw, what i believe to be, an airliner circling above me at high altitude for a period of an hour and a half. Any ideas what was going on here? Test flight, military plane, rudder problem, holding pattern ( at this altitude?) It happend yesterday afternoon ( approx. 14:00 - 15:00u above Mol Belgium. It flew over at least 10 times the same circular path but because of wind conditions, the contrails of the previous pass, drifted east. I'm just curious in what was going on...

[sn26567]

Hello, Butch. Welcome to Luchtzak!

[vader]

Hi Butch, looks like E3 NATO.

[sn26567]

The contrails of a plane landing on a circular runway?



OK, I am joking. It's 1 April after all...

[Butch]

Well, could be a sentry for sure... But in that case, I still think it's a strange set of tight turns.
I believe a patrol area of an AWACS is much larger. also i thought (not sure with the naked eye) it to be twin-engined, instead of four...
Oh well, guess we'll never know.


Thanks to all
Butch.

[jodakort]

Hi Butch,

It was definitely a boeing E-3 Sentry (awacs).
I saw him too (with my binocular).

Greets, Jos.

[Butch]

Ok!
Thanks, Jos for clarifying.
You are also from Mol, are you?

[Established02]

21NOV19 16u15 High altitude airspace above Brussels.