Air Watch 1

[maus92]

I heard this aircraft on a Potomac Approach frequency for the Baltimore area. He was checking to make sure that his flightplan was still on file to College Park (CGE). The controller wasn't sure, but he cleared him to CGE anyway, and told him to contact Washington tower. Anybody have a clue who "Air Watch 1" is?

CA
Annapolis

 

[freqhopping]

CGE is Cambridge Dorchester

The only flight info for that airport today is:
N16CP
Piper Malibu Meridian (single-turboprop) (P46T/G)

Date _________Type____Origin__________Destination________ Departure_____Arrival _____ Duration
08-Jan-2007 P46T/G Greene Co (KWAY) Cambridge Dorchester (KCGE) 01:05PM EST 01:23PM EST 0:18
08-Jan-2007 P46T/G Martin State (KMTN) Greene Co (KWAY) 09:50AM EST 10:52AM EST 1:02
08-Jan-2007 P46T/G Cambridge Dorchester (KCGE) Martin State (KMTN) 09:08AM EST 09:20AM EST 0:12

 

[TinEar]

I often hear AIRWATCH 1 with the various tower controllers at BWI, Martin State, Weide, etc. He appears to be some kind of traffic watch aircraft since he normally gives his flight routes over the major road arteries in the area. Several months ago I asked on the MilAir thread if anyone knew specifically who he belonged to but no one seemed to know.

 

[maus92]

Sorry, meant CGS

 

[maus92]

It might be a traffic aircraft, but helicopter routes frequently follow major roadways too.

CA
Annapolis

 

[maus92]

TinEar, you are correct. Apparently Air Watch 1 is a traffic plane that works the Baltimore area, and is based at FME. The source was a guy who runs traffic planes in the DC area, so I'm sure he knows what he's talking about.

CA
Annapolis

 

[maus92]

I also posted an inquiry on another board about the aircraft - and the pilot of Air Watch 1 actually responded. He confirmed that it was a traffic plane working the Baltimore area, but it is based in Gaithersburg (GAI), but frequently refuels at FME and CGS for certain logistical reasons (he especially likes College Park.)

CA
Annapolis

 

[TinEar]

It might be a traffic aircraft, but helicopter routes frequently follow major roadways too.

Well...sometimes. They most often follow the Helicopter Route Chart for the Baltimore-Washington area, (which can be ordered from the FAA for a couple of bucks.) The routes sound very much like road routes when you hear them but the numbers don't match road routes. For instance, you'll hear them on Route 3 but that's a big circle around D.C. that's much like road Route 95/495. And Helicopter Route 16 runs over your way to the Annapolis area. It's kind of interesting to follow them on the chart while you're listening to them on the scanner. The route chart also shows the frequency they should have contact on at different points along the route.

I also posted an inquiry on another board about the aircraft - and the pilot of Air Watch 1 actually responded. He confirmed that it was a traffic plane working the Baltimore area, but it is based in Gaithersburg (GAI), but frequently refuels at FME and CGS for certain logistical reasons (he especially likes College Park.)

CA
Annapolis

Excellent. Glad to hear about that. I'd still like to know who he works for if you get a chance to talk to him again.

Alan