Military aircraft spotted circling above Edinburgh city and coastline

A large RAF plane has been seen flying above Scotland’s capital this afternoon.
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The aircraft, which has been confirmed as a A400M Atlas (call sign COMET451) from Brize Norton, was taking part in an essential training session.

Residents in the Capital said they spotted the enormous aircraft above the city at about 1.30pm today.

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Flight tracker website Plane Finder picked up the military aircraft’s route doing loops around Edinburgh before setting off south of the city.

Route of military aircraft spotted circulating above Edinburgh picture: Plane FinderRoute of military aircraft spotted circulating above Edinburgh picture: Plane Finder
Route of military aircraft spotted circulating above Edinburgh picture: Plane Finder

A spokeswoman for RAF Brize Norton said: “I can confirm one of our A400M Atlas aircraft (call sign COMET451) departed RAF Brize Norton at 12pm to conduct routine, essential flying training within the UK, in particular in the vicinity of Edinburgh and also Newcastle.”

The military plane can accommodate as many as 116 fully-equipped troops; vehicles; helicopters, including a Chinook; mixed loads, including nine aircraft pallets and 54 passengers, or combinations of vehicles, pallets and personnel, up to a payload of 37 tonnes.

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