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OOOps! Someone did not check there Flight Rules

FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
edited September 2011 in General Discussion
I Could not figure what all the racket was outside. I go out and I see this F-111 buzzing this little Cessna. This Airforce jet looked like it was in full attack mode Rolling and circling around the little plane till it veered off.

Turns out Obama and Airforce one were ready to takeoff From Moffet Field (60 miles away) enrute to Burbank CA. I later found out that F-111 sweeps a huge swath around Airforce one at all times when in flight.

Comments

  • PTHEIMPTHEIM Member Posts: 3,374
    edited November -1
    They're using an antiquated bomber to protect the POTUS' plane.

    Seems the Fed's trying to save money then and not sending up F-16s, F-22s, F-117s.

    Oh yeah, never mind I recall what happened w/the 111s. DUH[B)]
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by PTHEIM
    They're using an antiquated bomber to protect the POTUS' plane.

    Seems the Fed's trying to save money then and not sending up F-16s, F-22s, F-117s.

    Oh yeah, never mind I recall what happened w/the 111s. DUH[B)]


    From the news paper photo it looks more like an F-15 and a Bi-plane.[:D] I could not see them that close. So my guess on the plane type was incorrect.

    But still, this is a threat?[:D]
    20110926_024421_fighter%20jet_VIEWER.jpg
  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443
    edited November -1
    A million years ago, I was a passenger in a Cessna piloted by a retired Colonel. He was one of those FACs who drove the push/pull twin tail deals in Viet Nam.

    He was the real deal. The kind of guy who had to climb to altitude in order to make his landing approach.

    Unfortunately, while he was executing lazy 8's at our request (he couldn't be talked into barrel rolls or loops etc) we strayed just a bit too close to the Space Shuttle hangar.

    Even in the '80s, an F-4 was a bit stale. But climbing up out of the Indian River basin after scrambling from Patrick, it was an impressive sight.

    Cool Colonel cussed all the way back to Patrick that he had lost track of where the restricted space was. They warned once. But I'm sure they were already on the way before the first radio call. The second instruction to make an immediate turn was more to keep us from crapping our britches when they flew by than anything else.

    Stories for the grandkids.
  • PTHEIMPTHEIM Member Posts: 3,374
    edited November -1
  • scrumpyjackscrumpyjack Member Posts: 5,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The last F-111 actively flown by the USAF was retired in 1998. The Aussies retired their last one in Dec 2010. The only one I know of that was in use was in cold climate test cell at Eglin AFB.

    Looks like an F-15 in the photo. The F-22s just returned to flight last week or the week before.
  • capistolcapistol Member Posts: 7 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    USAF F-111 variants were retired in the 1990s with the F-111Fs retired in 1996 and EF-111s retired in 1998. In USAF service, the F-111 has been effectively replaced by the F-15E Strike Eagle
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by scrumpyjack
    The last F-111 actively flown by the USAF was retired in 1998. The Aussies retired their last one in Dec 2010. The only one I know of that was in use was in cold climate test cell at Eglin AFB.

    Looks like an F-15 in the photo.


    That's what I think as well. While my view was poor of what was going on from the distance, I could not define the second tail wing on the jet and the Bi-plane was unidentifiable and just figured it was a cessna. The Jet from the profile looked like a swing wing.
  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    quote:Originally posted by scrumpyjack
    The last F-111 actively flown by the USAF was retired in 1998. The Aussies retired their last one in Dec 2010. The only one I know of that was in use was in cold climate test cell at Eglin AFB.

    Looks like an F-15 in the photo.


    That's what I think as well. While my view was poor of what was going on from the distance, I could not define the second tailwing and the Bi-plane. The Jet from the profile looked like a swing wing.


    Swing wing, twin tail.

    you requesting a fly by, Maverick?
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    quote:Originally posted by scrumpyjack
    The last F-111 actively flown by the USAF was retired in 1998. The Aussies retired their last one in Dec 2010. The only one I know of that was in use was in cold climate test cell at Eglin AFB.

    Looks like an F-15 in the photo.


    That's what I think as well. While my view was poor of what was going on from the distance, I could not define the second tailwing and the Bi-plane. The Jet from the profile looked like a swing wing.


    Swing wing, twin tail.

    you requesting a fly by, Maverick?


    Na,[:D] we have enough air traffic with SFO, SJO, Moffet field etc.[:D]
    and Air Shows. You never know what you will see. My house is under a flight path super Hwy.
  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 21,974 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wonder if the Cessna was a left over from the Salinas Air Show who got lost? Also did obama do a fly by at the air show? I mean he does things like that.
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
    I wonder if the Cessna was a left over from the Salinas Air Show who got lost? Also did obama do a fly by at the air show? I mean he does things like that.


    [:D][:D]
    Turned out to be a Biplane out of Watsonville airport. Did you get to hit the Salinas Air Show this weekend? Figured it might have been a bust from the rain.
  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 21,974 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A crop duster getting harassed by Air Force One's wing man. What were they worried about? Biplane flinging flaming bags of poop? I mean they were from Watsonvile. Okay maybe some apples from Martinelli's farm for air to ground weapons [:D]. If there were a bag of apples would that be considered a cluster bomb from this administration?

    Nah. On Saturday I was in San Jose cheking out some Japanese eats from Mitsuwa. They were having some foods from Hokkaido. Not too impressed other than the sticker shock of sale items so I ended up at Lions Market buying a roast duck and half a cuttlefish. Then hit up a couple of aquarium shops. Picked up a good sized Synodontis Angelicus but he's lost in my 125. haven't seen him yet [:D].

    And on Sundy I stayed home smoking some pork ribs and saw and heard enough fly bys over my pad in Marina. I think it was clear in Salinas after the fog burned off by late morning. It' really too bad they didn't do a fly by (as in strafing runs through Salinas).

    I was kind a curious about Tora, Tora, Tora they were yapping about on the radio at the air show. Were they some sort of Japanese Zero group? I guess I could google it.
  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886
    edited November -1
    I've handled many TFR's (temporary flight rules) involving blocked airspace for Air Force One.

    Never, have I seen a 60NMR exclusion zone.

    Something's off, here. Joe
  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by givette
    I've handled many TFR's (temporary flight rules) involving blocked airspace for Air Force One.

    Never, have I seen a 60NMR exclusion zone.

    Something's off, here. JoeI'm not aware of the exact location of this incident, but according to the posted account AF1 was about to be traveling from Moffett Field to Burbank.

    Could it have been that this little airplane was in an exclusion zone along this planned flight path?
  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nice photo. Actually, the F-15 is not a swing-wing. The F-111 was, as was the F-14 Tomcat, but with the exception of the B-1, I don't believe the Air Force goes for swing wings.

    Their fighters have fixed, swept wings, as does the Navy's newest, the F-18E/F Super Hornet, and the older F-18A/B/C/D Hornets.

    The Navy jets have wings which fold while on the deck in order to save space on the carrier, but actual "swing wings" which can be swept back in flight for great speed, or moved forward for greater stability at low speeds are no longer in vogue. The hydraulics involved and the associated maintenance issues got to be too much to handle. Also it became a natural weak point for the wing.

    There may be other factors as well which I don't know about.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,462 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bigoutside, as another former O-2 FAC later assigned to Patrick and also as a former Space Shuttle program worker at KSC, your tale made me smile. Thanks.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Navybat
    There may be other factors as well which I don't know about.
    A bunch more really important stuff to worry about getting holes punched in?
  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a pilot's license but I haven't flown in a long time. Is there now a requirement to check for such things even before a local flight? I know there were such restrictions on the maps for things like President Nixon's house or Reagan's Ranch here in Kalifornia but how would you know where the President's plane is going to be?
    Actually giving out such information could be counter-productive.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,404 ******
    edited November -1
    Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Temporary closures should be posted at the nearest FSS (Flight Service Station). If you can't stop by in person you can give them a call and ask if there is anything you need to know in the area of your sightseeing. Gotta admit though, when I go sightseeing locally I don't bother calling, so I would have got bounced too.

    AF1 always has a number of escorts. You may not see them when AF1 flies by, but they are nearby and can get close fast when they light the fires. Just in case someone decides to try a midair intentionally. In this case, I don't think the threat was too great for a biplane to catch up to a 747.[:D] But, something like an executive jet could pose a valid threat. Yes, the escorts do have permission to shoot down civilian planes if they don't veer off. I wouldn't knowingly play chicken with them. [:D]
  • 11BravoCrunchie11BravoCrunchie Member Posts: 33,423 ✭✭
    edited November -1
  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    Bigoutside, as another former O-2 FAC later assigned to Patrick and also as a former Space Shuttle program worker at KSC, your tale made me smile. Thanks.


    [:D][:D]It made me smile remembering it
  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
    Cool Colonel cussed all the way back to Patrick that he had lost track of where the restricted space was. They warned once. But I'm sure they were already on the way before the first radio call. The second instruction to make an immediate turn was more to keep us from crapping our britches when they flew by than anything else.


    How do they contact you on the radio? Is there a specific frequency you are supposed to guard while you are flying now? It has been so long since I have flown that I have never had a bi-annual flight review. What if you don't have a radio, is that a requirement now?
    I also have a glider rating & have flown ultra-lights & hang gliders & never had a radio in any of them.
  • 4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
    edited November -1
    The F111,s are gone, only NASA has the only one that flies
  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gruntled
    quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
    Cool Colonel cussed all the way back to Patrick that he had lost track of where the restricted space was. They warned once. But I'm sure they were already on the way before the first radio call. The second instruction to make an immediate turn was more to keep us from crapping our britches when they flew by than anything else.


    How do they contact you on the radio? Is there a specific frequency you are supposed to guard while you are flying now? It has been so long since I have flown that I have never had a bi-annual flight review. What if you don't have a radio, is that a requirement now?
    I also have a glider rating & have flown ultra-lights & hang gliders & never had a radio in any of them.

    I leave mine on 122.8 unless I am under radar control.
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