Airforce One Air Traffic

[jaymatt1978]

Let me prefrence this by say I know Air Force One has an extensive communications system, but they are STILL an aircraft and need to follow the rules. That being said when they check-in on an ATCC frequency do they use VHF or UHF? I am asking because I have a scanner will ALL the VHF AND UHF frequencies and never hear Air Force one. Come to think of it I neve hear ANY UHF ATCC traffic! Any thoughts??

 

[mibzzer15]

There are plenty here. LiveATC Recordings | LiveATC.net

When you go to the web page, hit Ctrl+F (to word search) and type in "air force one" without quotes.

There are plenty recordings on there.

 

[ShyFlyer]

Typically, the only aircraft that will use UHF to contact ATC are fighter aircraft. Other aircraft types have dual VHF/UHF capability but I've never heard them communicate with ATC on anything other than VHF.

As far as "Air Force One" is concerned, the one and only time I've heard them on frequency was with Albuquerque Center and they checked in on VHF.

 

[KF7RAY]

VHF when it came to RNO three times last year...

 

[wtp]

what!

it is not like he lands at teterboro or spring valley
keep an eye on the news and load the tower freqs for the area airports (big ones)
only time i heard somthing at teterboro was years ago and bush sr came in on a helo (marine one)

 

[paul]

For multiple visits to Stewart Airport in Orange County, New York (mainly to visit West Point) Air Force One has always used VHF. Tower 121.0, Ground 121.9, NY TRACON approach/departure 132.75 MHz.

 

[russellmaher]

I agree! Air Force One always uses VHF on visits to BDL, and I've heard the comms on the scanner that I have at work. The voice is loud, clear and static free too.

Russell

 

[brandon]

VHF here as well. I've also caught them on HF a few times. (foreign trips to Asia, or when Barack Hussein Obama goes to Hawaii)

 

[blantonl]

Any time I've heard AF-1 on any ATC frequency has always been on VHF (Tower, Centers etc).

They probably use VHF exclusively for ATC operations for safety reasons.

 

[n5ims]

Remember that Air Force 1 is only used when the president is actually aboard the aircraft. When that same exact plane is communicating when the president is not aboard they use their normal tail numbers of 28000 or 29000. Air Force One | The White House

When Nixon flew back to California the aircraft took off as "Air Force One" and changed to SAM27000 midflight when his resignation officially took affect. The quite below is from CNN.com - Air Force One: 'The Flying White House' - February 15, 2002

On August 9, 1974 for example, shortly after Secretary of State Henry Kissenger read President Nixon's formal letter of resignation, air traffic control in Kansas received the following message: "Kansas city this is former Air Force One, please change our call sign to SAM27000."

The man onboard was no longer president and the aircraft, mid-flight, was therefore no longer "Air Force One."

 

[Gilly1980]

I heard them on VHF at RDU in 2011.

 

[jaymatt1978]

OK thanks folks. Geuss I need to listen a bit hard next time, although I did recently just add A little side note I have been a member for over 10 years and this is the first time Lindsay chimed in on one of my threads I'm very honored!!

 

[nr2d]

Just remember this past week when the President came to New Jersey he flew into McGuire AFB. This being the case AF1 could have been on UHF. His trip right after Sandy he flew into ACY and AF1 was on VHF with the radar and tower people.

 

[K4DHR]

Usually VHF as mentioned, but like military aircraft sometimes do, they may request to use UHF.

 

[jmp883]

Like wtp posted, just keep an ear on the news for when the President will be coming to NY. I've caught AF-1 in and out of Newark several times over the last couple of years and they were always on VHF.

 

[poltergeisty]

Think these guys use VHF? Have you ever seen a 757 air to air refuel? YOU HAVE NOW! | aviationintel