Air Force II "close call"

SteveC

SteveC

"Laconic"
Staff member
Air Force II \"close call\"

[ QUOTE ]
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A military plane carrying Dick Cheney came within almost half a mile of a small private plane over Bridgeport, Connecticut, this month, forcing the Vice President's pilot to take evasive action, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday.

The plane, which is Air Force II when the vice president is aboard, was flying at about 7,500 feet August 7 while en route to Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, when an on-board alert system alarmed, telling the pilot to climb to avoid colliding with the other plane.

The FAA said such an event ordinarily wouldn't require an investigation, but a report was written and sent to the Air Force because it involved Cheney.

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So why is it an issue when it involves AFII, but not at any other time?

Complete story from CNN here.
 
Re: Air Force II \"close call\"

TCAS RAs are not at all uncommon in the NYC area airspace at low altitudes due to the number of VFR targets in the area. I've gotten them before going in and out of LGA ... a minor pain, but that's why we have TCAS. The only real problem here is if the bug-smasher violated restricted airspace around Cheney, but the story makes no mention of that and it SOUNDS like both aircraft were in communication with ATC.
 
Re: Air Force II \"close call\"

[ QUOTE ]

So why is it an issue when it involves AFII, but not at any other time?


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Sounds like a pretty routine TCAS RA. If AF2 was at "about 7500" then it was probably descending. I'd guess the ATC facility sent a report because they have higher separation standards for AF 1&2. They certainly do for 1 and I'd guess 2 as well.
 
Re: Air Force II \"close call\"

[ QUOTE ]
The only real problem here is if the bug-smasher violated restricted airspace around Cheney

[/ QUOTE ]

Or did he? Sounds like they were in the middle of the step downs or step ups for landing or take off (7,500). If there was a TFR, it was probably around the airport of intended landing for AFII. If we start seeing floating TFRs that follow AFI and AFII, it's all over. From what I heard from a relative that flies in and out of PHX, TCAS warnings are pretty much a common event there. I'm guessing it's like that for any high traffic airport.
 
Re: Air Force II \"close call\"

[ QUOTE ]
Close call? Not close enough!

[/ QUOTE ]
That one will earn you a visit from some guys in a plane-jane Crown Vic.


/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Air Force II \"close call\"

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Close call? Not close enough!

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That one will earn you a visit from some guys in a plane-jane Crown Vic.


/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

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It's on it's way.......
 
Re: Air Force II \"close call\"

Good luck finding me....hope they got a DF unit capable of tracking my 802.11x transmitter.

<-- on the down low /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Air Force II \"close call\"

[ QUOTE ]
Good luck finding me....hope they got a DF unit capable of tracking my 802.11x transmitter.

<-- on the down low /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

WE know you have a room on the 25th of Sept......... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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