Air Force One @ Stansted

[Skipness One Echo]

Can anyone confirm when the Obama circus is heading to town? I assume they will be causing mayhem at Heathrow as usual. Is there any point in trying to photo a 27L landing from Myrtle Avenue or will Plod be out in force?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Why go to that zoo at Myrtle Avenue? Try the entrance to the cemetary at TQ 10063 74779. Usually very quiet and you can photograph landers on 27L from your car.

[AircraftOperations]

Obama is using Stansted this time around, with other US military aircraft noted around Northolt over the weekend whilst dropping off the rotary support.

Not sure how many nations will use LHR.

[G-APDK]

The VIP flights are being handled at Stansted, Gatwick, Luton and Northolt. I have not heard of any using Heathrow.

Security is already being strengthened at STN and "no-go" areas expected to be imposed soon.

[Skipness One Echo]

Ah that makes MUCH more sense. Cheers.

[captain_flynn]

The Mexican Airforce B757 landed at Heathrow yesterday. Isnt that G20 related?

[Nicholas49]

Obama's coming into STN? Wow, I wonder if he'll get to experience the super-efficient, friendly and non-invasive techniques with which most passengers and crews associate its beloved security staff?! :ok: (PS I'm only teasing, no need to respond aggressively.)

[pre3l2s]

Any one know what time AF 1 will be arriving at Stansted tomorrow?

I may try and pop down to have a look...

[gunit]

i'd tell you but then i'll have to kill you. lol

[p7lot]

Only info at present is Tuesday 'evening'

[MarcJF]

Can't see Obama on the Stansted Express, wonder where he would stay the night? Security nightmare for our keystone cops.

[holyflyer]

Can't see Obama on the Stansted Express, wonder where he would stay the night? Security nightmare for our keystone cops.

American ambassadors residence in Regents Park - choppers arrived on board two C17s at Northolt on saturday morning.

[daz211]

From what I heard today, between 2200-2300 tomorrow in the middle
of FR's rush hour :eek:.

[Fosters]

Mexican 757 is here for an official State visit.

Fosters

[grizzled]

Hint: Regardless of how much security or secrecy they employ, AF1 is still controlled by civilian ATC, and uses its transponder just like everybody else does. So . . .
subscribing to one of the real-time online flight-following sites will enable you to see POTUS as he flies.

Grizz

[Old Photo.Fanatic]

Allied to AF 1 Arrival,
Any info on Arrival of the E4 , I think into Mildenhall?
Thanks for any gen.

[crewmeal]

It was exactly the same when the G8 summit was held in Birmingham back in 1998. In those days BA regional were complaining when AF 1 was in the area. The only diference was AF1 dropped President Clinton off and positioned to Mildenhall.

Afterwards Blair got a lift in Marine 1 with Clinton to Chequers.

Granted there were only 8 of them then now there are 20!!

[N707ZS]

And it was the same at Teesside when George W came for fish n chips with Tony.

[mark25787]

What can be used to track it? I've tried the 28000 and 29000 tail numbers, but they come up as invalid. Would just a plain search at EGSS show it up?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

It'll definitely appear on a Mode S list on SBS but I doubt if it has ADS-B so it won't show on the "radar". Some USAF aircraft do, most don't.

[darrylj]

im at work later PM at LHR as well; thought it would of landed there for me to see all this secret service stuff going on lol.


...was there any reason why LHR was not used?.
i know stansted is nearer to east london i guess maybe why.

thanks.

[General_Kirby]

I believe Heathrow told him to kindly bugger off after the farce of Bush last year.

[Geezers of Nazareth]

The 'Obama Roadshow' is due to leave washington at about 8am (US time) on Tuesday and arrive at Stansted at about 7.45pm (UK time).

The helicopters will be leaving from Northolt to pick him up sometime about 6pm, and once he's here he's staying at the US Ambassadors residence in Regents Park in London (hence all the road closures).

Sometime on 2nd he's departing to Europe for meetings with the Germans and French at Kehl and Strasburg.

Then he flies on to Prague, and then Turkey.



Now you know, I'll have to kill you. Please form an orderly queue.

(all info from public sources! :ok:).

[Bagso]

Heathrow had so much hassle from other airline users last time thay have moved AF1 to Stansted.

.....But wait till the RYR fleet incurr holding delays etc , O Leary will have something to say about this ......

I cannot understand why it didn't go to Mildenhall given the extra 10 mins flying time !!!

[glad rag]

I cannot understand why it didn't go to Mildenhall given the extra 10 mins flying time !!!


:hmm:Because they are big important people and they like you to know it!:ugh:

[RWHS]

Hello everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone knew which direction (North or South) the planes will be landing into Stansted this evening? I live in B/S and I can see them landing from the South but not the North, they are taking off to the South at the moment, but I am hoping that will change.

Does anyone know if the controllers will be changing the direction?

Also I was thinking of going to the spot just after Burton End this evening to see AF1 land, but I don't drive and I have a feeling they will block off the spot, has anyone been up there already today? Its a really long walk and it may be dark so if security is tight I probably won't be able to go :-(

Thanks :-)

[XV490]

That's two brand-new probationers in one thread, both looking for gen on Mr Obama's flight plans... := :hmm:

I live in B/S

I seem to have lived in B/S most of my life, the bulk of it coming from my employers. C'est la vie. :ugh:

[mark25787]

That's two brand-new probationers in one thread, both looking for gen on Mr Obama's flight plans... := http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/yeees.gif


Well pardon us for showing an interest. Is this a forum which fires derogatory remarks at new members? I've only recently come across the online flight tracking systems and find them interesting, being a lapsed PPL holder who is hopefully going to requalify soon. If you want lurkers who don't contribute, then carry on.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<Does anyone know if the controllers will be changing the direction?>>

I don't know the local procedures at Stansted but the runway direction is usually determined by the wind. However, if the wind is light there maybe local procedures for "preferential" runways. E.g. At Heathrow it's preferential westerlies, i,e they land and take-off to the west. The current wind at Stansted is variable direction with hardly any strength so if it stays like that the runway will probably be unchanged. Having said all that.........!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

mark25787.. Welcome, but if you are going to get that tetchy after such an innocuous comment you need to wear a tin hat, or three!!

[XV490]

:uhoh: It was meant as a joke. :{

However, believe it or not, there will be some in this forum for whom paranoia is a passion in the current climate - and who might misinterpret your motives, and suspect you of being either a terrorist or, much worse, a journalist. :}

The longer you're on PPRuNe the more you'll realise that much of what appears should be taken with a bloody big pinch of salt. But not this: welcome!

[mark25787]

I gather than from reading through some of the other sub-forums. (Who is that Flying Clara from the Easyjet thread?!??!:ugh:) However, seemingly innocuous comments can gather momentum, and can be taken the wrong way. We all started off on 1 post here at some stage and all have a joint interest in aviation, in one form or another. I hope to be able to make more contribution than just asking about a politician's flight!! Let's try and keep the harmony. :ok:

[RWHS]

Thanks for the helpful information Heathrow Director! I have so much still to learn about aviation.

Just to make clear B/S stands for 'Bishops Stortford', XV490, thats how us locals abbreviate it!:rolleyes:-I realise in was a joke and thankyou for the welcome-

I have always been interested in aviation which is why I joined this site, I regulary watch planes take off and land from Stansted, and I also work there on weekends, which is why I am interested to know how they will deal with Obama's arrival this evening aswell as be able to have the chance to see the wonder of AF1 land at my local airport! :ok:

I wish to have a career within the aviation industry one day, but as you can tell I have a lot to learn!

[XV490]

Welcome, RWHS. Were you around to see the space shuttle atop a 747 at Stansted? Going back a bit, I know.....

[767Mog]

you will only be allowed to park in the carparks, no where else.

so its either the carpark down by the holiday inn and a fairly long hike or perhaps park in Stansted Mountfitchet or Elsenham somewhere and walk

your better off going to the service station on the M11 and watching from there if arriving that way or going to Broxted if on the other

hope this helps

[Avitor]

No chance of flying my high altitude kite on the airfield periphery I suppose? :)

[mark25787]

Any chance of someone posting pics on here if anyone gets a good enough view? Also interesting to see if the "squadron of jets" escorting AF1 go right to landing or hold outside of the airport's airspace.

[CHINOOKER]

"Brewer 84" the E-4B is over Atlantic now,being followed by "Airforce1" and "Sam91",the C-32 support a/c. Not sure of E-4B destination as both Mildenhall and Spangdahlem seem to be in frame. Helo "circus" is getting ready at Northolt as both Met Police EC135s have arrived as escort.

[RWHS]

Unfortunately not, I was too young to remember, but I heard it was a once in a life time experience, and I've seen newspaper clippings etc.

Did you have the pleasure of seeing it?

[767Mog]

wow, theres a memory...

seeing the shuttle atop a 747 landing at Fairford all those years ago..

will dig thru the old photos and hopefully find the photos i took...

[mark25787]

I saw the shuttle on 747 when it flew over my primary school in Manchester. Must be between 25 and 30 years ago for that one.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<Also interesting to see if the "squadron of jets" escorting AF1 go right to landing or hold outside of the airport's airspace.>>

I'd be interested to hear more, but I'd be surprised if it was accompanied by lots of jets! I saw a good few Air Force 1 arrivals at Heathrow, starting with "Ike" when I was a spotter, through to Reagan and there was never any escort.

[mark25787]

Read on one of the other posts that RAF were providing fighter escort. Will try to find to link...

EDIT: Knew it was there somewhere. However, quote is from the Mail on Sunday, so is probably ****.

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/367750-wokka-over-central-london.html

[CHINOOKER]

More than likely to be F15s out of Lakenheath as i think "protocol" deems that it's only USAF a/c who escort Airforce1, when it's visiting a country where USAF bases are located!

[mark25787]

Shame - would have been a nice image seeing AF1 flanked by Typhoons.

[ian23]

I also saw the shuttle on the back of the 747. I was working in Birmingham at the time and we managed to get out on the roof of the Tower block we were in to get a better view. I think it must have been 1983 or possibly 1984.

[Skipness One Echo]

The aircraft are not in close formation with the VC-25 but near enough to take out anyone who became a danger. When Marine One was at the G8 at Prestwick it was in formation with an identical helicopter and 6 gunships.

[CHINOOKER]

Obama's helo convoy is just about to leave Northolt

[RWHS]

wow, how do you know all this information about Obama's flight? Is he close to Stansted yet? I thought he might land early? Which flight tracking programs do you use?:)

[XV490]

RWHS - Don't know if it's of interest, but local TV say AF1 will land and park at the private jet section at Stansted (north side?)/

[rockfreak]

Got a ring side seat to night! AF1 will be going right over my house. I've guesstamated arrival time of between 8:30 and 8:50.
Any ideas?

[rockfreak]

AF1 just checked in with londn control 119.775

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Some of us have inside knowledge.. 19:40 it's just passing FL95 descending....

[rockfreak]

Bang on time then. how are you tracking it? PM me if needed!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Got a ring side seat to night! AF1 will be going right over my house. I've guesstamated arrival time of between 8:30 and 8:50.

Yes, you're in the hour club!

[Scott Diamond]

I just heard that the car he drives around in has bags of his blood in it "just in case". I love America's way of transporting presidents around; though at the same time I don't!

[Aviator Gray]

Do you think if someone who was dieing with the same blood type as Obama on the street who could be saved if more blood was pumped into him or her and the President's car was driving past they'd stop and help? :p

[classicwings]

Did anybody happen to pick up the callsign for Air Force One on first call with Essex Radar last night? I was listening to 120.625 on my Air Band at around 19:15 and I believe I heard N028 contact Essex Radar. I assumed that was Air Force One as it would have used a more discrete callsign than just 'Air Force One' for obvious security reasons (and the Captain was definitely an American.....http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/smile.gif)

As it happened Mr Obama touched down at 19:50 so I thought that N028 could well have been the Presidents 747, considering the time duration from first contact with Essex to touchdown. Or did I switch my Air Band off too early and this was just another American inbound?? Can any clarify this for me please. Many thanks.

P.s I headed down to the business jet area along First Avenue at Stansted this aftenoon to get a photo of Air Force One in this glorious sunshine but I had to zoom in a fair bit to get any reasonable shot of it as the place is still SWAMPED with The Law!!

[VFR Transit]

popped up last night to have a quick look and photo. Does anyone know when the departure will be???

VFR

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Air Force One is the aircraft callsign and that's what it always uses. Essex Radar would probably only have talked to it for 10-15 mins, if that, before touchdown. At 19:40 it was passing about 9000 ft and half an hour out it would have been some distance away with London Control.

"N028" could have been a US civil aircraft using an abbreviated call as no US registrations commence "N0".

Lastly, keep in mind that it is an offence to publish anything you hear on the airband!

[Skipness One Echo]

Has anyone ever been prosecuted? When Sky News broadcast the Tower transmission of the Thomson B757 that had a birdstrike out of Manchester not a peep was heard.

[Thoughtful_Flyer]

Did anybody happen to pick up the callsign for Air Force One on first call with Essex Radar last night? I was listening to 120.625 on my Air Band at around 19:15 and I believe I heard N028 contact Essex Radar. I assumed that was Air Force One as it would have used a more discrete callsign than just 'Air Force One' for obvious security reasons (and the Captain was definitely an American.....http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/smile.gif)


It used the famous call sign several times loud and clear (and that was from a very modest scanner on my kitchen table in Cambridge)! Must have a decent radio on board as it was much clearer than most of the "low cost" airlines earlier in the evening!

[classicwings]

It used the famous call sign several times loud and clear (and that was from a very modest scanner on my kitchen table in Cambridge)! Must have a decent radio on board as it was much clearer than most of the "low cost" airlines earlier in the evening!Well here in Stapleford (Cambs) my little Icom IC-R5 with its Watson W-881 Super Gainer aerial sure was picking up Essex Radar loud and clear on 120.625 on Thurs evening but I'm now kicking myself as I switched the darn thing off too early and MISSED it. Now im wondering what Air Force Ones departure schedule is like from SS so I can hopefully catch it then!:ugh:

[kiwidane]

Hey guys "n" gals. Do you know what time Air Force One is due to Take off from Stansted.

Cheers

:ok:

[Tomicle]

Hi all,

Wanted to say thanks to classicwings for the best place to get shots of af1.

Got there about 9pm and got a few good shots. Having to be so far away was a pain though. Got stopped and told to move along by the police but was great to see af1 and well worth the trip.

Tomicle

[BreezyDC]

By the way: It's only "Air Force One" when the President (or "POTUS" for the acronym freaks) is aboard. Otherwise it's whatever the SAM flight number is. Same with the "Marine One" helicopter.