We live in Torquay directly under the flightpath of aeroplanes bound for
Exeter Airport and Heathrow. As such we are used to seeing aircraft overfly
at varying heights. We are also used to seeing police helicopters with
spotlights in the vicinity. On all occasions the sound of aircraft can be
plaintly heard except those airliners travelling at great altitude bound for
Heathrow.

On Saturday evening at around 9.20pm my wife saw a large bright white light
approaching from the direction of Brixham which appeared like the landing
light of an aeroplane, although we have never before, in 35 years of living
in this particular house, seen aircraft showing landing lights at this
distance from the airport. At no point were any red and green running lights
apparent.

It appeared to be low flying (at about the height that a light aircraft on
training flights would fly, if not lower) and overflew the house at a steady
rate (and at about the speed of a light aircraft). It was a very still night
and there was absolutely no engine noise. We watched it disappear behind
trees at the top of the garden on the direction of Exeter.

We have no explanation for this.

About ten minutes later, having once again settled in the lounge, my wife
spotted a similar light approaching from the same direction, this time a red
light. The size and speed of approach was identical to the first although
the flight path (judged from where it disappeared behind the trees) was
slightly to the west. Again we heard no engine noise and saw no running
lights.

This sighting was witnessed by my wife, myself, my son and his girlfriend.

As a comparison, some half-an-hour later an aeroplane, flying very low for
this time of night, flew over even further to the west of the last sighting,
fuselage, running lights and even cockpit lights fully visible with a lot of
engine noise. The apparent brightness of the two lights was about the same
as this low flying aircraft.

As at the time of reporting (20.20pm on Sunday 27/4/08) we have not heard
any other reports and have no explanation to put forward.

Malcolm
Torquay