Is there a way to find military flight schedules? | FerrariChat

Is there a way to find military flight schedules?

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by RWatters, Apr 18, 2010.

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  1. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2006
    1,075
    Kansas
    #1 RWatters, Apr 18, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2010
    I'm not talking ones of war-time, but rather regular ones around the USA. I ask because at my place of employment I have a lovely window seat overlooking the end of the main runway at the New Century Kansas airport (IXD), and on Sundays at least once every 1-2 months there will be an F/A-18 or an F-16 that land and do a fly-over or two when leaving. During the week it's not uncommon every once in a while to see C-130s and C-17s come in. I've even seen a KC-130 come in from time to time as well. Blackhawks, Apaches, Cobras, even an A-10 or two seem to visit at least once a year. President Bush flew into this airport twice during his time in office as well in Air Force One (good luck leaving when that happens, the whole area gets shut down and we get a visit from some people with mighty big guns in our building!). Needless to say if at all possible I'd like a little more of a heads up on when things are coming in here but have no idea if that's even possible or not. I'd assume for security-reasons it wouldn't be available information, but in the off chance that it is I figured you guys would know if anyone.

    Does something like that exist or should I just keep watching outside my window like a hawk?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,166
    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    Terry H Phillips
    Best bet would be to make friends with a person in base ops or the tower to ensure him you are not going to sit on the end of the runway with an SA-14/16 or a Stinger. He might then be willing to call you when a stopover flightplan has been filed for a military aircraft.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  3. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 5, 2002
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    Portland, Oregon
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    Don
    You could buy a scanner and listen for military call signs. You should be able to figure out who the local military guys are. A good indication is if you hear ATC talking and no one replying, because the military aircraft are broadcasting on UHF.
     
  4. the_stig

    the_stig F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2005
    3,497
    For the really good stuff you could try searching the NOTAMs. Anytime there is something like a jet team arriving, practicing or performing there will be NOTAMs filed well in advance. For purely local stuff somebody in operations is your best bet.

    Link to NOTAMS on this page, lower right: http://www.airnav.com/airport/KIXD
     
  5. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2006
    1,075
    Kansas
    the_stig,

    Any idea how to translate these things when they do pop up? I checked the NOTAMs on another local airport on that site and this came up:

    I'm not a pilot so I have no idea what I'm looking at. lol
     
  6. Roger103

    Roger103 Karting

    Sep 13, 2009
    112
    Full Name:
    Trim Tab
    This notam has to do with approach changes and nothing with military aircraft activity. The notam says that runway 36 GPS approach has changed it circling minimum descent altitude (MDA) to 1620 feet above sea level/524 feet height above the airport (HAA).

    Aviation charts do identify military training routes and have an ID number with them. You can take that ID number and call the flight service station to determine if that route is active on any given day.
    Flight service station is for pilots and I am not sure they would give that info to non pilots.
     
  7. the_stig

    the_stig F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2005
    3,497
    Some of the more interesting ones are a little easier to read once you get used to doing the time without having to think about it too hard. Here's a random example:
    ZKC MO.. FLIGHT RESTRICTION. ROSECRANS MEMORIAL AIRPORT, ST JOSEPH, MO. DUE TO HIGH PERFORMANCE AERIAL DEMONSTRATIONS DURING THE SPEED OF SOUND AIRSHOW, EFFECTIVE 1004291700 UTC UNTIL 1004292115 UTC, 1004301700 UTC UNTIL 1005010001 UTC, 1005011700 UTC UNTIL 1005020001 UTC, AND 1005021700 UTC UNTIL 1005030001 UTC. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.145, MANAGEMENT OF AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF AERIAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS, AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN A 5 NMR OF 394609N/0945437W OR THE ST JOSEPH /STJ/ VORTAC 169 DEGREE RADIAL AT 11.5 NM, AT AND BELOW 16000 FT MSL UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY ATC. WAYNE LITHERLAND, PHONE 816-236-3637, IS THE POINT OF CONTACT. THE ST JOSEPH /STJ/ ATCT, PHONE 816-236-3682, IS THE COORDINATION FACILITY.
     
  8. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2006
    1,075
    Kansas
    Nice example. I'll be there for that event. The Blue Angels will be there!
     
  9. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 19, 2008
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    Terry H Phillips
    Don- Just about all the current military aircraft, including fighters, have both UHF and VHF radios. Older aircraft like the F-4 and F-111 were UHF only (+HF), but they are long gone.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     

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