WEEKLY PLANE THREAD
✈️ Planes ✈️
*This post is updated with some interesting new findings. Find more in the comments :)
- A SAM out of DC it is an AF2 plane, but the SAM callsign indicates it's a high level official NOT kamala
- A lot of US P8 planes up and trying to stay hidden over both the US and overseas. These planes are anti-submarine and anti-surface planes with large weapons bays. Due to the nature of these planes, the lengths they are going to stay hidden and the fact that they are 'our guys' I will not be posting any up here. Godspeed soldiers
U2 gaining altitude in N. Cali.
So, I'd like to become a planefag... how do you find the interesting planes? Do you search by type/something every few minutes, look over a certain area, or what?
I watched MonkeyWerx for inspiration and followed what others were posting here. I started watching after 1/6... and more after 1/20 to look at total military planes/day and then by type. It’s helpful to then research the planes and associate movement with any local articles such as NG troop movement. Connect dots by looking at key locations, bases, local flyovers where you may have visuals. Frequency depends upon your time availability. The more eyes the better as we all have other commitments. Welcome aboard!
what the heck do we use U2's for in 2021? Especially over the United States?
They are still very good high-altitude spy planes. Upgraded sensor stuff, not obsolete. Also still used currently in SE Asia. Over US is good question though. Wish I knew why, but maybe better off not knowing.
Why not use satellites?
Good question.
Looks like the 1st U2 is landing at Beale AFB and now at about 2500 ft.
Very interesting!
Yep, noticed it too. From Beale AFB, flying southwest: https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=ae0968
U-2 headed north over Yosemite maintaining 60k feet.
Educational reading: https://blog.museumofflight.org/whats-it-like-being-a-u-2-pilot
Respect for these pilots - like a Space Force mission.