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Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:48 am
by Andrew45
U4998/18 - FAIRFORD MIL ATZ ACTIVE, AD, RWY 09/27 OPEN. 13 NOV 12:00 2018 UNTIL 13 NOV 16:00
2018. CREATED: 13 NOV 07:22 2018
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:19 am
by IMarsh
Any ideas anyone?
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:02 am
by big john
Well it's a Tuesday, but it seem a bit late for a U2?
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:04 am
by graham luxton
Sometimes get a C-21 or UC-35 this time of year.
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:51 am
by paulk
UC35
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:07 am
by BOLLO
97-0105) C35 DUKE77 eta 1345 etd 1500 ]
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:59 am
by H.A.Bucken
Yet another week goes by without a U-2 c/o; that's a very long spell (mid August since the last). Can't see it tomorrow either having looked at 'Metoff': fresh to strong crosswinds nearly all day.
Roger
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 1:33 pm
by nitro999
Duke77 departed Cambridge, now with Brize Director inbound FFD
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 2:15 pm
by woody142
Currently sat outside the B2 hangars, seen from Highworth.
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 2:19 pm
by filmman
It appears that usually the USA U2 pilot checks in on a Monday, goes on oxygen to purge out nitrogen, takes of that afternoon and arrives at Fairford Tuesday morning. Because of the timing of flights into and out of Fairford it seems that if there is a Federal/USAF holiday on a Monday they don't swap that week. So I did not expect U2s this week. Embassy flights might be merely co-incidents but I have kept the next few Tuesdays free. No doubt this will be disputed, but it works for me; except when my "Governor" pre-books an expected/actual occurred swap- life is a compromise.
PS don't tell our cousins, they also had a regular routine at Mildenhall for U2 deployments, years ago.
Filmman
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:34 pm
by tm74sqn
I believe that U-2 visits are less frequent because a major modification program that lasted several years has been completed. Among other things, there is now a longer time / more flying hours between maintenance overhauls. It wouldn't surprise me if no more U-2s visit this year - but I hope I'm wrong!
TM74
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:45 pm
by BOLLO
Was there not suppose to be a swap over a few weeks back allegedly,I take it it did not happen.lol
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:04 pm
by Spitfire88
It didn't happen, pilot's left on commercial flights without a swap over taking place, no idea as to why it didn't happen.
Re: Notam 13 11 18
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:12 pm
by filmman
I didn't mention the other random factor. Excessive cross winds on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Faiford and possibly elsewhere. This could result in delayed swap overs. The USAF seems to have more accurate weather forecasts than the Met Office. As mentioned above the modification program has ended, so the interval between swap overs should lengthen. However, west bound U2s do appear rather worn/abraded, and some have stopped at Fairford for some time. Flying over land is a lot safer than flying over the Atlantic.
Filmman