Training sortie of MiG-29 fighter jets may cause sonic boom

The SVK Ministry of Defence has issued a warning to the public as a training sortie of SVK Air Force MiG-29 fighter jets is scheduled to take place today at around 10:30hrs local time, with the flight path taking the jets from Sliač over Liptovský Mikuláš, Javorina, Kysak and Tisovec before heading back home to Sliač. It is possible that a shock wave may be produced and a huge bang reminiscent of an explosion may be heard by residents living at various points along the flight path as fighter jets break the sound barrier.

This sound effect, the so-called sonic boom, may also be audible in the areas around the SVK Air Force bases, especially those located in central and western Slovakia. Generally, the phenomenon may be produced by jets moving at the speed of sound, which is 330m/sec. In Slovakia, this concerns MiG-29 fighter jets.

The Ministry of Defence wants to apologise to all concerned local residents for any inconvenience that may be caused by this essential training activity.