Air Force One?

[gtaman]

At this current time Air Force One is circling the airport and landing and taking off. I can hear him on the tower. Also it is giving the call sign VENUS01 never heard it I've heard SAM and the tail number anyone know why Air Force 1 is flying hear. I know the president has two of them and he's not in Columbus today. This at Rickenbacker airport in Columbus ohio.

[wa8pyr]

Originally Posted by gtaman

At this current time Air Force One is circling the airport and landing and taking off. I can hear him on the tower. Also it is giving the call sign VENUS01 never heard it I've heard SAM and the tail number anyone know why Air Force 1 is flying hear. I know the president has two of them and he's not in Columbus today. This at Rickenbacker airport in Columbus ohio.

If the President is not on board, it's not Air Force 1; they only use that call sign when he's actually aboard.

I believe Venus 1 is a maintenance call sign.

[gtaman]

Originally Posted by wa8pyr

If the President is not on board, it's not Air Force 1; they only use that call sign when he's actually aboard.

I believe Venus 1 is a maintenance call sign.

Sorry about the name forgot about the different call sign. Anyways the actual plane 'Air Force one' itself is circling I think they may be testing it. I'm just wondering why here? And I've never hear Venus 1 before. Or seen them test planes here or repair them.

[gtaman]

I found more info from a friend. They are at Rickenbacker for test and training flights. They are training new pilots for the aircraft because they are getting a third one in 2017 and they want all pilots to be trained. They are using Rickenbacker because it has one of the longest runways and you really can't screw up landing 747 here. Also expect more training in the future.

[W8RMH]

Rickenbacker's longest runway is 05R/23L at 12,102’, which really isn't that long compared to the dozens of airports in the U.S. with longer runways, however they can handle the big boys with ease as it was an Air Force Strategic Air Command base prior to 1980. They may be training them in aerial refueling as most of that is done at Rickenbacker.

Interestingly enough, in 1996 Rickenbacker Airport was the site for filming all aircraft exterior shots in the movie Air Force One starring Harrison Ford.

Actually the Air Force is replacing the two current VC-25 aircraft with three replacement aircraft beginning in 2017.

[gtaman]

Originally Posted by W8RMH

Rickenbacker's longest runway is 05R/23L at 12,102’, which really isn't that long compared to the dozens of airports in the U.S. with longer runways, however they can handle the big boys with ease as it was an Air Force Strategic Air Command base prior to 1980. They may be training them in aerial refueling as most of that is done at Rickenbacker.

Interestingly enough, in 1996 Rickenbacker Airport was the site for filming all aircraft exterior shots in the movie Air Force One starring Harrison Ford.

Actually the Air Force is replacing the two current VC-25 aircraft with three replacement aircraft beginning in 2017.

I didn't know about the filming that's really cool. Also yes I forgot to mention they were newer aircraft that's the govt was getting.