United States of America 757 at STN!

[Matty J]

Afternoon Guys n Gals.

Whilst working on the ramp at Stansted on Thursday (1st) i noticed the United States Boeing 757 landing at around 13:45 Local.

Anyone know why AF2 it was here and who would have been onboard?? It taxied and parked over the Northside/Buisness area of the airport.

Thanks.


Matt.:ok:

[MarkD]

Did it have AF2 callsign? If not, it's just another USAF transport.

[Brian81]

Airforce 2???

I cant say that I know for sure, but Im pretty sure "airforce 2" is a callsign and not a particular aircraft.

We get quite a few american aircraft where I work, all looking very much like the paint scheme that the presidential 747 (VC52A?) wears.

Airforce 2, I believe, is the callsign for the Vice president on board, and similarly, air force 1 for the president on board. He could be flying in a C172 and it would be called air force one... *which begs the interesting quesions, how the fighter escort would keep up (or [slow] down as the case may be???)

I wouldnt get too excited, it may not have anyone special on board, & even if it did. I wouldn't expect anyone to post it on here :}

Traaaaaaaaaaaaa. :ok:

[flynverted]

Air Force 1 is the call sign for any Air Force aircraft Dubya is on. Air Force 2 is is the call sign for any Air Force plane the VP is on. :hmm:

[Fried_Chicken]

used a SAMxxxx callsign, nothing unusual & probably nobody too special onboard. Stansted see's regular USAF movements, mainly their Gulfstreams, B737s & the occaional B757. The US Coast Guard Gulfstream is also a regular visitor.

Fried Chicken

[con-pilot]

The only time a SAM call sign is not used is when the President (Air Force 1) or the Vice-President (Air Force 2) is on a SAM or Air Force aircraft. For the other services it would be Army 1, Navy 1, etc.

A case in point. When Nixon resigned he left on Air Force 1 and as soon as President Ford was sworn in the aircraft changed its call sign to SAM 2700 somewhere over the central US.

For a civilian aircraft I don’t have clue as the FAA has the call sign N 1 on its G-V. So I don’t know, BOSS 1, Civilian 1, Falcon/Gulfstream/Challenger, etc 1. I would guess that if such a situation ever occurred one would just have to ask ATC for the proper call sign.

[Matty J]

Thanks for the reply's guys.

Was just curious as to why it was here and who was on it. We've had a DC-9 in before wearing the same livery as the 757/747 but that was some time ago.

1st time i'd seen the 757.


Matt.:ok:

[STNfageye]

hi,
the VIP on board was GEORGE BUSH snr , probably over here doin some shopping !

[Flightmech]

SAM 9617 just departed STN at 1325Z heading north on a CPT 3R departure. Must be going home. Nice looking jet!

[ezyBoh]

STNfageye

You really shouldn't be divulging the details of passengers on flights, particularly 'sensitive' flights. They are entitled to their privacy too.

Having spent 6 years based at RAF Northolt and answering the many 'phonce calls from 'spotters' asking 'who is on that plane' I do know the consequences and implications of divulging such information.