Spotting Air Force One this week in Canberra

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I'm not a member of the Secret Service, but I'm pretty sure that things like the flight path and exact arrival time would be something that they, you know, keep secret... ;)
 
I thought that may be the case, but you never know... thought it might be public. Would be pretty cool watching it come in.

This thread has probably been picked up by the CIA too ;-)
 
Didn't it cost us (Australian Tax payers) millions of dollars to repair the runway the last time it was here because it is just to heavy?
 
Watched a doco on it and very awesome.

It's actually call sign that it puts out does not actually state the exact type of aircraft it is.

What a great perk of being US President..

But no status credits or FF points or F lounge access.
 
v8Statesman said:
Didn't it cost us (Australian Tax payers) millions of dollars to repair the runway the last time it was here because it is just to heavy?
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I believe so, but I think there have been improvements to the length and strength of the runway since then.


To anyone hoping to get a glimpse of Air Force One on approach has to take a pick of north or south. Since most flights come in from the south, that would be the logical approach.
 
I heard on the news tonight that it is due to land in CBR at 3.20pm on Wednesday. And yes, it will most likely land from the south, like the Queen's plane did a few weeks ago. :)
 
Air Force One won't be landing at CBR airport but at RAAF Fairbairn. The back-up plane will also land at an RAAF base but I forget which one.
 
markj23 said:
Looking at Google Maps, are they not basically the same place? CBR Airport on one side, and the RAAF base on the other?
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You could well be right, yes. I'm only familiar with the airport. However, I would suspect (and again I'm not sure) that viewing opportunities of the plane landing at Fairbairn would likely be less than if it was landing at the airport. Of course, if they share the same runway then it probably won't matter.
 
CBR airport is on the western side of the runway, the RAAF Fairbairn base is on the eastern side. If your ever at CBR and look across the runway at the tower the RAAF base is directly underneath it. They use the same runways and taxiways as CBR.

Fairbairn however is now much smaller than it used to be, and I hated it when I had to work out there as they still make you pay for parking even though space is no problems, and apart from one cafe near the tower there is nothing in the way of services out there.

As a side note I might find a reason to stand outside and look to the east at around 3:20pm on Wednesday...
 
I wonder if SYD or MEL will get Kneecap (NAOC), a much more interesting aircraft than Air Force 1 IMHO, and will it go to Tindal Thursday?
 
markis10 said:
I wonder if SYD or MEL will get Kneecap (NAOC), a much more interesting aircraft than Air Force 1 IMHO, and will it go to Tindal Thursday?
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That's the Boeing E-4? I remember sitting in the CBR QP a few years back and spotting one of those over at Fairbairn. Very interesting looking aircraft.

(it was when SecDef was visiting).
 
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As already mentioned Canberra Airport and RAAF Fairbairn share the same runways... and as there is no hanger large enough for a 747 the aircraft will presumably be parked in the same place that other VIP aircraft (like the 747 the Chinese Deputy Premier used) end up....

..on the apron outside the RAAF VIP terminal.

That is very close indeed to the fence between RAAF/public ground.. so maybe after Obamas arrival they'll shift it further "in"...

We'll see....

A C-17 arrived this morning so I assume that is the support aircraft? Saw it on approach but was way too far away to see any of those subdued markings....
 
trooper said:
As already mentioned Canberra Airport and RAAF Fairbairn share the same runways... and as there is no hanger large enough for a 747 the aircraft will presumably be parked in the same place that other VIP aircraft (like the 747 the Chinese Deputy Premier used) end up....

..on the apron outside the RAAF VIP terminal.

That is very close indeed to the fence between RAAF/public ground.. so maybe after Obamas arrival they'll shift it further "in"...

We'll see....

A C-17 arrived this morning so I assume that is the support aircraft? Saw it on approach but was way too far away to see any of those subdued markings....
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Reach 299 was the callsign, a C20C was also into Richmond this morning, you will often see one near Air force 1 as its a backup aircraft with hardened comms gear and no glass in the coughpit. The C20C will be on alert near a rapid departure runway standoff for the time the President is in country, did a drop into BNE on the way as SAM43.
 
trooper said:
That is very close indeed to the fence between RAAF/public ground.. so maybe after Obamas arrival they'll shift it further "in"...
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Not really, if an aircraft was parked infront of the main hanger at Fairbairn it would be quite difficult to get to from the fence. Furthermore I expect there to be one or two guys hiding in the bushes with sniper rifles ready to take out anyone who dared try.

Plus I also expect any car stopping along the road running down to Fairbairn would have someone soon asking questions such as "have you broken down and do you need some help?"
 
Well.. the VIP area and hangar is just over the fence I am thinking of... the closest C17 today would have been no more than 75 metres from it... the entrance road on the other hand is a goodly distance away..???? I think the car park area near the coffee shop will receive some serious security attention.... suspect your sniper idea will be spot on too.....

Yes, there were 2. The second taxied in while I was in the area.. and unloaded a couple of big limousines:mrgreen:...The real treat however was that the first one left while I was in the area... I had only ever seen them on the ground before... and they look good there.

In the air? Magnificent! The takeoff roll was shorter than a 737... the (presumably light) load and the strong wind right down the runway today would have helped....but still....:shock::shock:
 
trooper said:
Well.. the VIP area and hangar is just over the fence I am thinking of... the closest C17 today would have been no more than 75 metres from it... the entrance road on the other hand is a goodly distance away..???? I think the car park area near the coffee shop will receive some serious security attention.... suspect your sniper idea will be spot on too.....
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trooper,

Not disagreeing as I'm sure you have your facts straight but which direction is the fence? I was based at Fairbairn and flew out of there for some years but cannot relate to the fence you are talking about.
 
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