Mid-Air Refueling over Nova Scotia

[nyair1]

NYAIR1;

Indeed, as Mark stated, we did have DOOM21/22/23 with SKIT08/09 pass overhead.
You're correct when you say things have been quiet on this forum lately.
Honestly, it's not due to a lack of traffic. In my case it's just that I'm barely able to find the time to post because it seems the action always seems to happen while I'm working.
I do check this thread often and try to respond if I can add anything more to what has already been said.
On a related note, tomorrow could be a banner day overhead. Rumours abound that the US will finally attempt to make the transatlantic flight with several F35s to the UK. They should be flying from Luke AFB but probably staging on the East coast by now (MCAS Beaufort / Pax?) and I'm expecting they will follow the route that the Italians and Dutch took when they flew theirs overseas.
A follow-up flight of F22s are also expected in the UK this week.
Dust off those Coronet freqs...could be an interesting week.

Not sure if you use any software for your listening along with your radios?? I have uniden 15x and 996xt radios and control them with a cheap old windows laptop running Proscan software. I set them up in the morning before I leave for work and the software logs the freqs that are active that I have scanning and also records the audio so I can play it back when I get home. I have it running on my work computer and can control them remotely if needed. It's really nice software. I'm always doing stuff so without using this setup I'd probably never hear anything lol. Just thought I'd pass it on to you as a idea.

 

[looknlisten]

Chris,

I use Freescan to control my BCT15X and use my tablet to control it remotely. It's tough to find the time to mess with it at work. I review the recordings when I return home.
BTW... the 3 F35s are on their way to the UK as of this morning (1230Z).
I'm thinking the remaining fighters will leave before the end of the week.

 

[looknlisten]

SPURS/EDGE22 inbound

SPUR54 (KC10A, 79-1711) and SPUR53 (KC10A, 83-0081) on AR20NE track to rendezvous with EDGE22 (E4B,73-1677) for refueling on AR20-SW.
(This is the infamous Doomsday Plane that always travels with the President. Obama is heading back to Washington early to prepare for his visit to Dallas on Tuesday).
At 0004Z the tankers arranged to circle near Gander awaiting the E4B @ FL2100-240.
EDIT: EDGE22 checked in with Gander at 0025Z (via LiveATC)

Air-to air was 139.870 and AR20 Primary, 341.750
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-4

Via comms, PlanePlotter, Fighter Control UK and LiveATC (Airport Detail: CYYT | LiveATC.net)

 

[JGR]

AR212

Just heard something on AR212 Pri 238.9 Its very weak here at my location (Tracy,NB) and my antenna is in the attic. Unable to find anything on plane finder.

 

[looknlisten]

SHUCK80 approaching AR20NE 2250Z

SHUCK80 (71-1408, Boeing E-3A Sentry) is setting up to refuel on AR20NE with MAINE99 (KC35R, 58-0098).
Tanker will hold at CYQI
Comms on AR Primary, 341.750 at 2248Z

EDIT: AR has been cancelled and SHUCK will follow the tanker back to Bangor, Maine. 2311Z
Via comms and PlanePlotter

 

[looknlisten]

BLUE42/RETRO Flight

BLUE42 (KC-135, 59-1495) took the lead from BLUE41 (KC-135, 60-0347) and refueled RETRO91/92 on AR20-NE at 10:50Z
A-A freq was 267.625
Believed to be F15E Strike Fighters from 492FS returning from Red Flag headed home to Lakenheath (Tanker to Mildenhall).
Mad Hatters strike at Red Flag > Nellis Air Force Base > News

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NDRZzVjPJ7MTREdlEweE5DbzA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NDRZzVjPJ7cDlrY3kyS0xSVVU/view?usp=sharing

 

[Res21cue]

Not air to air refueling related but have any of you air listening folk ever heard Air Force 1 flying over the Maritimes? Kind of neat to hear.

 

[darrylcn]

Have seen several times, were they here today? Hear anything interesting when you heard them?

 

[Res21cue]

I have no idea. I dont monitor Air, I was just more curious if anyone has ever heard them in this area or captured any photos

 

[darrylcn]

Ah ok. Yeah I've seen them several times and heard them/picked them up as well. Pretty neat knowing they're around!

 

[scouseian]

Currently have MYTEE93 working AR20NE Primary 341.75. Looks like OPEC29 86-0036 KC10 looks to be his tanker, was holding south of Cape Cod for a while. MARSA confirmed with MYTEE93 @ 1610z

 

[darrylcn]

Thank you! We (hopefully temporarily) lost two MLAT receivers here in NS in the last week so it's been tough to get a good picture as to what's going on.

 

[scouseian]

Thank you! We (hopefully temporarily) lost two MLAT receivers here in NS in the last week so it's been tough to get a good picture as to what's going on.

Thought it looked quiet on PP over there?

 

[darrylcn]

Yeah. We had just enough PiAware sharers as it was but as of Sept 2nd we are below the number needed for coverage. I haven't seen an MLATed plane since. Wish we had more here so we could afford such a loss but no go.

 

[scouseian]

Yeah. We had just enough PiAware sharers as it was but as of Sept 2nd we are below the number needed for coverage. I haven't seen an MLATed plane since. Wish we had more here so we could afford such a loss but no go.

Just set up a couple of GS on PP in BGR within the last month.But looks like thats not helped you?

 

[darrylcn]

It hasn't sadly - I use (at least as I've found) the MUCH more reliable MLAT data from flight aware. I had maybe a 20% success rate trying to MLAT in PlanePlotter once stuff entered our airspace, but with PiAware/VRS EVERYTHING showed. Trouble here is we have a few PP installs going but the MLAT isn't reliable, which was fine with the flightaware data, but losing it forced me back to relying on PP. I'm told the tanker for this BUFF is showing position so we will be fine for it but I'd gotten used to seeing every C-17 etc on the map for photos/binoculars opportunities. Hoping we will get more PiAware setups here before too long

 

[scouseian]

http://global.adsbexchange.com/VirtualRadar/desktop.html is what i'm currently using. 60% better coverage in the UK

 

[darrylcn]

Exactly. I've been sharing to them but eventually doing so will violate FlightAware's terms. For here at least that site gets its MLAT data from PiAware installs so it mirrors my own VRS' blindness. Basically if you're not aware PiAware computer owners share data to FlightAware, who then send the data from nearby people back. This includes MLAT data, and you can, for now, forward that data to ADSB Exchange. I forward my data to them like a few other locals do, and this benefits the PiAware owners by default AND ADSB exchange users because we forward. But bringing down the PiAware count limits the data being sent to ADSB exchange as a result and bam, nobody sees anything that isn't broadcasting posit.

 

[scouseian]

Hope u got a visual.......Howard and friends had nil....

 

[darrylcn]

I did see them yes. They were connected as they passed over Halifax. Awesome stuff!!