Mid-Air Refueling over Nova Scotia

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darrylcn

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Plane geek though I may be, I've never quite gotten an understanding of the difference between those/VORs/NDBs.. Even though I looked it up one time it hasn't stuck, and until now I didn't know what those things even were. So they aren't anything physical at all? Just waypoints that everyone shares/are common knowledge?
 

NE1C4NSC4N

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Does anyone know of a Google or other app/photo that displays all the VORs? I see a bunch (WHALE, CRABB, etc.) on that map, I'd like to have a way of looking more up when the mood strikes. Thanks in advance!

You can find all the different points, if you look thru the file at this link : http://bathursted.ccnb.nb.ca/vatcan/fir/gander/SectorFiles/atl-401.sct Or in this list below, if you want to give me the one's you want and I can add them to my map, or I think you can if I invite you or something..below are the named waypoints, theres all sorts more in the file.

Also check out this site, its where this information is posted : VatCan Gander Domestic FIR Home Page

AKERS N037.58.70.000 W066.09.30.000
ALLEX N044.25.00.000 W066.59.58.000
ATSIX N060.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
BABAN N054.00.00.000 W012.00.00.000
BALIX N059.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
BALOO N034.24.03.000 W062.08.03.000
BANAL N042.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
BANCS N045.38.59.999 W052.06.11.999
BEDRA N049.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
BERUX N045.00.00.000 W011.00.00.000
BETTE N040.33.33.000 W073.00.42.000
BIXBY N034.24.42.000 W062.04.00.000
BOBTU N044.07.02.000 W052.49.20.000
BRADD N043.09.00.000 W066.59.58.000
BURAK N053.00.00.000 W012.00.00.000
CARAC N043.00.00.000 W060.00.00.000
CARPE N053.05.00.000 W054.05.00.000
CIMAT N059.30.00.000 W063.00.00.000
COLOR N046.40.06.000 W052.30.08.000
COMBO N032.20.42.000 W061.08.42.000
CRONO N051.22.80.000 W052.42.80.000
CUDAS N042.37.24.000 W064.14.06.000
CYMON N049.43.00.000 W055.00.00.000
DANOL N045.41.54.220 W067.47.15.999
DENDU N050.30.20.000 W052.04.10.000
DEVOL N053.53.42.000 W010.26.05.000
DINIM N051.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
DIRMA N040.50.60.000 W009.30.11.000
DIXIS N045.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
DOGAL N054.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
DOLIP N052.00.00.000 W012.00.00.000
DOPHN N044.32.59.999 W055.29.00.000
DOTTY N050.38.00.000 W055.35.00.000
DOVEY N041.07.00.000 W067.00.00.000
EBONY N044.54.08.680 W067.09.23.639
ELTIN N035.21.00.000 W064.19.00.000
ENGLE N042.07.00.000 W063.24.63.000
ERAKA N058.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
ERPES N040.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
ETARI N055.30.00.000 W015.00.00.000
ETIKI N048.00.00.000 W008.45.00.000
ETSOM N057.53.52.000 W009.30.00.000
FEDDY N061.42.00.000 W067.00.00.000
FOCUS N042.30.00.000 W060.00.00.000
FOXXE N054.29.11.000 W059.17.13.000
GINGA N056.55.50.000 W009.30.00.000
GIPER N051.00.00.000 W012.00.00.000
GUNSO N049.04.13.000 W011.44.39.000
GOMUP N057.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
GRAYY N045.44.47.000 W056.42.37.000
GRIBS N061.30.00.000 W063.00.00.000
GRUPI N043.52.15.000 W058.50.00.000
HECKK N052.13.20.000 W053.22.10.000
HEMMI N045.03.34.000 W055.32.03.000
HENCH N033.30.00.000 W061.24.00.000
HIDRA N044.30.00.000 W013.00.00.000
IKMAN N062.30.00.000 W063.00.00.000
JAROM N044.10.00.000 W054.53.03.000
JEBBY N043.04.03.000 W057.52.01.000
JELCO N060.42.00.000 W067.00.00.000
JOBOC N040.07.00.000 W067.00.00.000
KAGLY N063.30.00.000 W063.00.00.000
KANNI N042.38.00.399 W066.59.57.810
KENUK N050.00.00.000 W012.00.00.000
KOBEV N049.40.20.000 W051.28.00.000
KORIB N054.15.20.000 W013.00.00.000
LAKES N057.59.09.000 W063.16.00.000
LAPEX N047.00.00.000 W008.00.00.000
LAZEY N033.35.34.000 W061.29.10.000
LOACH N055.30.60.000 W057.00.56.000
LOGSU N048.46.60.000 W051.00.00.000
LOMPI N044.00.00.000 W057.00.00.000
LIMRI N052.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
LOPVI N059.16.00.000 W064.15.00.000
MALOT N053.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
MASIT N054.20.00.000 W012.00.00.000
MIBNO N065.35.00.000 W062.32.00.000
MIILS N046.52.25.000 W067.03.11.000
MIMKU N056.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
MORAG N055.51.22.000 W009.30.00.000
MUDOS N043.30.00.000 W013.00.00.000
NIBOG N055.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
NOVEP N047.49.70.000 W051.00.00.000
NURSI N054.57.73.000 W009.30.00.000
OMOKO N048.50.33.000 W012.00.00.000
OYSTR N053.51.90.000 W054.58.20.000
PASAS N045.00.00.000 W013.00.00.000
PEPKI N059.44.00.000 W061.37.00.000
PIKIL N056.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
PORGY N056.19.00.000 W058.04.56.000
PRAWN N057.12.20.000 W059.10.80.000
PRISS N031.56.00.000 W068.11.00.000
RAFIN N044.53.00.000 W051.48.18.000
RASIX N043.00.00.000 W013.00.00.000
RATSU N061.00.00.000 W010.00.00.000
REDBY N052.14.57.000 W056.36.05.000
REGHI N048.00.00.000 W008.00.00.000
RESNO N055.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
RIBNO N060.05.00.000 W065.10.00.000
RIVAK N046.00.00.000 W008.00.00.000
RODBO N060.05.00.000 W065.10.00.000
RONPO N046.52.60.000 W051.00.00.000
SEPAL N047.00.00.000 W008.45.00.000
SCROD N054.37.00.000 W055.52.00.000
SIVIR N046.00.00.000 W008.45.00.000
SLATN N039.07.00.000 W067.00.00.000
SUNOT N057.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
TEFFO N062.48.00.000 W067.00.00.000
VENER N054.30.00.000 W015.00.00.000
SM15W N050.41.00.000 W015.00.00.000
SM20W N050.50.00.000 W020.00.00.000
SM30W N050.30.00.000 W030.00.00.000
SM40W N049.16.00.000 W040.00.00.000
SM50W N047.03.00.000 W050.00.00.000
SM53W N046.10.00.000 W053.00.00.000
SM60W N044.14.00.000 W060.00.00.000
SM65W N042.46.00.000 W065.00.00.000
SN65W N041.40.00.000 W065.00.00.000
SN60W N043.07.00.000 W060.00.00.000
SN52W N045.10.00.000 W052.30.00.000
SN50W N045.54.00.000 W050.00.00.000
SN40W N048.10.00.000 W040.00.00.000
SN30W N049.26.00.000 W030.00.00.000
SN20W N049.49.00.000 W020.00.00.000
SN15W N049.41.00.000 W015.00.00.000
SO60W N042.00.00.000 W060.00.00.000
SO52W N044.10.00.000 W052.00.00.000
SO50W N044.45.00.000 W050.00.00.000
SO40W N047.04.00.000 W040.00.00.000
SO30W N048.22.00.000 W030.00.00.000
SO20W N048.48.00.000 W020.00.00.000
SO15W N048.40.00.000 W015.00.00.000
SOMAX N050.00.00.000 W015.00.00.000
STEAM N052.59.54.000 W057.20.30.000
TADEX N054.51.23.000 W008.14.00.000
TAFFY N047.22.24.170 W067.18.14.029
TOPPS N045.20.25.000 W067.44.19.000
TUSKY N043.33.54.000 W066.59.58.000
URTAK N045.50.30.000 W051.00.00.000
VALIE N053.37.30.000 W058.08.20.000
VIBDI N058.53.00.000 W060.45.00.000
VITOL N041.47.00.000 W067.00.15.000
VIXUN N048.08.18.000 W053.36.47.999
VODOR N044.56.20.000 W051.00.00.000
WHALE N042.11.52.020 W066.59.57.779
 
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darrylcn

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I can't open the file, at least not in Paint Shop Pro, but the site you posted to is pretty interesting stuff. I know someone that works at Gander but I don't see her on the staff list.
 

NE1C4NSC4N

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darrylcn

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Ohhhh i was thinking it was a fancy chart or something. I'll try again when I get home. Thx on advance, look fwd to reading it.
 

NE1C4NSC4N

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Plane geek though I may be, I've never quite gotten an understanding of the difference between those/VORs/NDBs.. Even though I looked it up one time it hasn't stuck, and until now I didn't know what those things even were. So they aren't anything physical at all? Just waypoints that everyone shares/are common knowledge?

If I'm not mistaken, those points (other than the VORs/NDBs) are exact points(waypoints), but they also are used as Sector markers..they represent a 30-50km square area(maybe more) of airspace, along the high altitude routes, closer to land.

Maybe its only based on the exact coordinates for planes using them, but the sectors can be used for SAR ops, and other stuff like that...I found this map... finally... its a .pdf so you need adobe reader at least..its got all the different points for high altitude routes, and below it is the low altitude map, it takes some zooming and scrolling, but thats the best map I've found as yet.

http://czul.vatcan.org/Files/hi6.pdf

http://czul.vatcan.org/Files/lo8.pdf

Also take a look at the next 2 links, lots more information available there.

CZUL - Flight Info

VATCAN -- Moncton Virtual FIR
 
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NE1C4NSC4N

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No worries darrylcn, its fun sharing this stuff, I've always enjoyed watching, and listening to aircraft..

I've been an Air Plane and Aeronautics fan for as long as I can remember, I think it all started going to work with my uncle, he worked at Moncton Center for 20+ years doing traffic control, he used to take me and my cousin to work, and sit us infront of an unused radar terminal with 2 headsets, was so fun. :)
 
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jetcrafter

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Newer Map for you

Good evening Gentlemen,

I just stumbled upon your group and have read some good stuff here. Nice job!

I am the person who created the Northeast Aerial Refueling map you have posted and I just wanted to let you know there
have been some changes. Mostly the addition of some new AR tracks leading up to the start of AR-20NE.
These are AR-80 and 81. AR-81NE starts off the Eastern end of Long Island and goes up to the beginning
of AR-20NE. AR-80NE starts off Nantucket and goes to the start of AR-20NE.
AR-80SW starts at Yarmouth and makes a pattern back down to Nantucket. The frequencies for these new routes
are: Primary 373.6 and secondary 343.5 Note. They haven't been used much since they were created.
I've only logged AR-80NE once on April 9, 2010 on 373.6 so far. 99% of the time, they still seem to
be refueling as before. Meeting up off Nantucket and randomly refueling on AR-20's freq of 341.75
This happened again this evening with ETHYL 68 and REACH 113 at 8:18pm EDT (0018z)

I'm going to attempt to attach the newer map here. You can also find it in the RadioReference
website, here: NorthEast AAR Tracks - The RadioReference Wiki

I'm not sure how far you can hear from your location, but I can say with most certainty that
the refueling tankers check in with Boston Center and Moncton Center on the VHF civil
aviation bands for their clearance into and out of AR-20. Here are some of the most common
freqs to monitor for the NE bound tankers:

Boston Center (KZBW):
126.225
128.75
133.45
134.95

Moncton Center (CZQM):
123.9
124.3
127.125
132.5
132.7
135.2

Plug these in and scan them. Soon you'll hear someone heading into AR-20

Also, a very good freq to monitor is 139.875 in AM mode. This is the freq for the
KC-10 tankers from McGuire AFB in NJ. They talk on it air to air quite a bit.
Try it on a Thursday or Friday evening. They come up here just about every Friday
evening. I call it, "Friday Night Tanker Flight"

One last thing in the post to ponder. I don't know if this has been mentioned but, you can
look online to see when these tracks will become active. On the Special Use Airspace (SUA)
website, you can select what type of military airspace you wish to monitor and if it is going
to become active, it will show it in colors. The map I made was based on this website.
Go here: Special Use Airspace & Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace
On the main page select the SUA Map (center section). It will open up to a current map of the CONUS.
On the right side, select the pull down menu for the Center you wish to look at. In this case, "Boston".
Then select the information you want to see and the times, altitudes, etc. When done, click on the
UPDATE button at the bottom of the right menu to update the map with your selected criteria. This
will open up to the Boston Center Sector and if active, you will see the Start of AR-20NE on the map.
You can zoom out to see the whole route over NS. If you click on the route, a new window will pop
up and show the scheduled times the route will be active. This is a nice resource but not always
correct. Many times AR-20NE will be active and it won't be shown on the map. Still, it's a good bet
that it will be active when displayed unless there is a problem and the refueling is cancelled.

I mostly post over on the Sticky Thread for Milair V group under the Maryland Radio Discussion Forum.
(Although, not much lately) Now that I found this group, I'll check back here and post here too if you guys
don't mind? I live in Gray, Maine which is about 20 miles North of Portland.

Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I've been listening to Mid air refueling in the Northeast
for many years and will be glad to share any info I can to help.

Thanks for reading.
 
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darrylcn

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Thanks Ed! I posted a thanks this AM but it didn't post. I haven't heard a whole lot so far since getting my PSR-500 but at least I've increased my chances with your info. Much appreciated!
 

jetcrafter

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Thanks Ed! I posted a thanks this AM but it didn't post. I haven't heard a whole lot so far since getting my PSR-500 but at least I've increased my chances with your info. Much appreciated!

Your welcome! Glad I can help. I sure wish I lived under AR-20.
I would be laying out in the backyard on a lounge chair with scanner,
camera, and binoculars at my side looking skyward!

Must be a great view in Halifax. I'm jealous.
 

darrylcn

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Heh, the couch, with scanners beside me, is only about 5 feet from the patio door. If I start hearing anything I'll be out with the binoculars quick! After missing a pic of that C-5/KC-135 last year I feel I'm owed a great IFR shot! I've taken lots of photos of planes overhead from my deck, but to date none have been towing anything.

And yeah, it's great here, I'm lucky to live where I do. Even on a non military jet day there's usually 757, 767, etc etc overhead.
 
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NE1C4NSC4N

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Great post ED! Thanks for the information and nice work with the maps, I wanted to get one of AR-20 like yours, but couldnt be bothered once I opened Google Earth, its so much easier then trying to make one in a photo editor, for my self at least :)

Would be neat to organize with other groups, and just have one big file, like the way points file,, with all of the ARs around NA :D The guy(s) who made the waypoints one need to get ahold of this or something :)

Listen for Cactus74x darrylcn, they have at least 1 C17 that flys overhead regularly, I'm not sure they come down for gas tho :(
 
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darrylcn

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Will do! Actually a C-17 is the only thing besides an RAF stretched Herc that I've ever photographed overhead. Maybe was them. Odd that they'd use cactus since it's also Sourhwest's callsign. I'll google that an find out some details on em. Thanks for the tip!
 

NE1C4NSC4N

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That is kinda weird darry, maybe it doesn't matter so much for callsigns..cause I heard Cactus742, with tail 970047, which shows up in the search site I use, as a C-17 out of Georgia..getting gas not too long ago, maybe last week..maybe they spell it different or something?

97-0041 ... 97-0048 (EXACT MATCH)
Boeing C-17A Lot IX Globemaster III
c/n P-41/P-48
0042 (P-42) is "Spirit or Tuskegee Airmen"
0043 (P-43) is "Spirit of Los Angeles". Transferred
from Charleston to March ARB.
0046 (P-46) is *The Spirit of the Military Family*
0047 (P-47) is *Spirit of Middle Georgia*
 
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darrylcn

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Naw, there's bound to be duplicates for sure. I'm a Tomcat nerd (I have an almost complete F-14 pilot flight gear set, woo!), so I know all the (former, now Super Hornet) squadron radio callsigns, Victory for Jolly Rogers, etc (actually if anyone has seen The Final Countdown the VF-84 jets use the correct radio callsigns, one more thing I LOVE about that film). I wonder if they always use them or if they use regular callsigns when in transit.
 

jetcrafter

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AR-80 and 81 Information

Evening Guys,

For AR-80 and 81

Just figured I would post this information about the new AR tracks leading to NS that I mentioned in my previous post. This is from the AP/1B DoD FLIP. Like the earlier one posted for AR-20 by Scan-O-Matic 13, this should look familiar.
 
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