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Obama's Last USAF 747 Flight
RNP AR would have prevented this diversion. KPSP has two great RNP AR approaches. The only other approach is a 1950s VOR approach into a narrow valley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=yZDTV4UCVwc |
Are any B-742's RNP capable? I remember years ago an AWACS driver said there was state of the art navigation back in the cabin but only dials and needles in the cockpit.
Commerce Secretary Ron Brown's crash at Dubrovnik in 1996 revealed how primitive Air Force VIP transport instrumentation was back then. They were trying to shoot an NDB approach with two beacons and only one ADF receiver installed. As a post-accident review observed: The plane that carried Mr. Brown to his death could not have flown commercially in the United States because it would not have met civilian safety standards. The Air force has resisted meeting those standards. So the planes that fly Cabinet secretaries, lawmakers and the President's family to far-flung airports lack safety innovations pioneered by civilian manufacturers and the military itself. Dubrovnik's poorly equipped airport may be typical of the third world, but in many ways so was the 22-year-old plane. The pilots were navigating with a compass and a radio receiver. Air Force generals called that equipment "primitive" and "rudimentary." A member of the unit that flies V.I.P.'s compared it to working with a typewriter in the computer age. The pilots of IFOR 21 had limited experience with the outmoded navigational system used to guide planes to the Dubrovnik airport. SAM 28000 and sister ship 29000 are getting a little long in the tooth but even if the order is finalized today it will be years before a replacement arrives. I found it interesting that there was a ramp freeze for former President Obama. Is this still normal once a President leaves office? |
Too bad he couldn't make it in. It would have been nice to see video of a 747 circling in actual marginal weather.
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SAM 28000 and sister ship 29000 are getting a little long in the tooth but even if the order is finalized today it will be years before a replacement arrives. By the way, each full turn in that holding pattern cost taxpayers about $15,000 USD in operating costs. :} |
By the way, each full turn in that holding pattern cost taxpayers about $15,000 USD in operating costs. That would be $180,000 per hour. Sounds a bit excessive, where did you get this numbers from? |
That would be $180,000 per hour. |
@TowerDog
National Taxpayers Union - Presidential Travel & Costs to Taxpayers In response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by Judicial Watch, the Air Force reported that the FY 2016 cost per flight hour for the AF1 is $180,118. |
Probably not his last USAF 747 flight..................... I can see Presidential courtesy being extended when one or both of the current 90 year old ex Presidents passes away.
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Anyway, the Obamas rode to the Virgin Islands yesterday on Richard Branson's Falcon 900EX, M-VGAL.
This article includes a selfie by some interior designer and his husband riding on 'Air Force One' while it 'circled' at Palm Springs, sounds like an entourage was aboard SAM 44: Barack and Michelle Obama arrive in British Virgin Islands | Daily Mail Online |
Airbubba:
Anyway, the Obamas rode to the Virgin Islands yesterday on Richard Branson's Falcon 900EX, M-VGAL. So, when the Obama's return to KPSP the RNP AR approaches will likely be available. And, unlike SAM44, KTRM would be a viable alternate. |
This article includes a selfie by some interior designer and his husband riding on 'Air Force One' while it 'circled' at Palm Springs, sounds like an entourage was aboard SAM 44 |
aterpster,
Thanks for posting that fascinating link. I was surprised that they were making a VOR approach and even more surprised to hear they were planning a circling approach. Why would they take that risk? The wind was quite light. The communications were much more casual than I expected. I had assumed they would be by-the-book. Finally, I wonder how the ground transportation was organized. Did the vehicles at Palm Springs make a high-speed dash over the 50 miles to March or were there standby vehicles at March? |
The approach is VOR-B, so technically it's all circling.
They may have requested the circle to 13R so they can continue the approach all the way to the MAP, vs. having to make a decision well short of the MAP for a straight in 31L landing. |
Originally Posted by peekay4
(Post 9652355)
He is (was) the White House interior designer. And that husband of his is none other than The Honorable James Costos, US Ambassador to Spain. Obama's trip to Palm Springs was to visit their home.
Originally Posted by India Four Two
(Post 9652626)
The communications were much more casual than I expected. I had assumed they would be by-the-book.
Finally, I wonder how the ground transportation was organized. Did the vehicles at Palm Springs make a high-speed dash over the 50 miles to March or were there standby vehicles at March? SAM 44 stayed in holding for quite a while. All the brass at the Pentagon were coming back from the inauguration parade and getting ready for the balls, maybe they had to find someone to make a decision on where to go. March AFB is a reserve base but a KC-10 did land while SAM 44 was in holding so the base was open. I had the same question about the ground ops. President-elect Trump had to divert from landing at Fayetteville, North Carolina to Raleigh-Durham due to weather on December 6 and the Secret Service had to scramble to get ground vehicles to RDU. He was in N757AF, callsign TYSON ONE and the Fayetteville ILS was NOTAM'ed out of service. |
Thanks, I think you mean he is the former U.S. Ambassador to Spain. ;) SAM 44 stayed in holding for quite a while. All the brass at the Pentagon were coming back from the inauguration parade and getting ready for the balls, maybe they had to find someone to make a decision on where to go. March AFB is a reserve base but a KC-10 did land while SAM 44 was in holding so the base was open. |
Originally Posted by peekay4
(Post 9652814)
Nope, still the current one -- Trump hasn't replaced him, yet. :p
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Costos |
Hmm, you're right. Surprising; The requirement for resignations with no extensions is not in accordance with long standing political custom:
NYT | In Break With Precedent, Obama Envoys Are Denied Extensions Past Inauguration Day |
I suspect that the crew knew well in advance that their alternate would have been March AFB and there would have been some preliminary preps taken for that possibility. If you think back at the US positioning staff all over the world in the event of an unscheduled re-entry of one of the Apollo space ships, your in the right mind set regarding mission planning in the 89th. NOTHING is left to chance.
As far as being RNP approach capable I would have thought it possible as well. There was an AF1 pilot who frequently posted on several websites with questions about RNP/AR issues and progress in that field. Obviously his identity was not known to others. Unfortunately he passed away recently from cancer. A tragic loss for all. |
AF One has a hybrid glass cockpit. Think of early 737-300's and your in the ball park.
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The stuff in front of the pilots on AF1 is basically the same as on a 747-300 (which isn't far removed from the 747-200).
There is a fourth flight deck position - behind and slightly to the left of the left seat pilot - that has a glass display somewhat similar to a PFD. However landing in marginal conditions, based on what the guy behind you is seeing, would be rather sporty... The two AF1 747s are relatively young hours/cycles wise, but getting up there in calendar years (IIFC delivered in 1990 and 1991). |
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