Air Force One coming to KPHX

[Matt Ottosen]

This morning 12 News was reporting that he would arrive in Phoenix Saturday evening, fly up to the Grand Canyon Sunday morning, and return to Phoenix Sunday evening.

[Matt Ottosen]

azcentral.com
President Barack Obama and his family will arrive in Phoenix early Saturday evening for a two-day visit to Arizona, the White House announced Thursday.

On Sunday morning, Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia will fly from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, where they are scheduled to spend about six hours touring the national park.

They will fly back to Phoenix late Sunday afternoon and spend another night.

Grand Canyon News
The Obamas will arrive at the Grand Canyon Sunday August 16th in Air Force One (yes, Grand Canyon National Park Airport can handle Air Force One!).  Once Air Force One readies for landing, and until the time it takes off, the airspace around Grand Canyon National Park Airport will become highly restricted.

[John S]

Are there any times yet, is there any place to check?  Hopefully I won't be working.

Thanks
John

[CJPalmer]

A C-5 arrived today. It's on the East Cargo ramp.

[Rob Silliman]

If the First Lady and family are going up to GCN in the VC-25 - for an 8 hour trip (1hr each way + 6 hrs on ground) - what will be left on the ground in PHX?

Either;
a) The 2nd VC-25 will be 'close' esp on Sunday
b) First Lady and Family won't take the VC-25 to GCN and use a smaller plane
c) Something else (the E-6 was here in May)

Might just have to spend the day at the airport to find out.

[Matt Ottosen]

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Airspace Bulletin
-------------------------------------------------------------------

FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER PHOENIX, AZ, THIS WEEKEND
A notam has been issued that will restrict flight in the area during
President Obama's planned visit. See AOPA Online for a graphical depiction
( http://www.aopa.org/images/whatsnew/newsitems/2009/notams/9-4448.gif ).

==> 30 nm radius TFR over Phoenix <==
Location:
PXR VOR's 354-degree radial at 3.3 nautical miles
Surface to 17,999-ft-MSL

Times:
6:00 p.m. local Saturday, August 15 until 9:45 a.m. local Sunday, August 16
5:15 p.m. local Sunday, August 16 until 1:00 p.m. local Monday, August 17

==> 10 nm radius no-fly zone <==
Location:
PXR VOR's 354-degree radial at 3.3 nautical miles
Surface to 17,999-ft-MSL

Times:
6:00 p.m. local Saturday, August 15 until 9:45 a.m. local Sunday, August 16
5:15 p.m. local Sunday, August 16 until 10:30 p.m. local Monday, August 17

==> 10nm radius no-fly zone <==
Location:
PXR VOR's 269-degree radial at 4.0 nautical miles
Surface to 17,999-ft-MSL

Times:
10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. local Monday, August 17


==> IMPACTED AIRPORTS <==
Phoenix Sky Harbor International PHX
Scottsdale SDL
Stellar Airpark P19
Falcon Field FFZ
Phoenix Deer Valley DVT
Chandler Municipal CHD
Glendale Municipal GEU
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway IWA
Phoenix Goodyear GYR
Pleasant Valley P48
Estrella Sailport E68
Phoenix Regional A39

View the notam ( http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html#9/4448 ).
View the notam ( http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html#9/4504 ).

Because TFR airspace frequently changes, AOPA strongly encourages
pilots to obtain a briefing before every flight.

[Matt Ottosen]

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Airspace Bulletin
-------------------------------------------------------------------

FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER GRAND CANYON, AZ, ON SUNDAY
A notam has been issued that will restrict flight in the area during
President Obama's planned visit. See AOPA Online for a graphical depiction
( http://www.aopa.org/images/whatsnew/newsitems/2009/notams/9-4505.gif ).

==> 30 nm radius TFR <==
Location:
GCN VOR's 352-degree radial at 3.6 nautical miles
Surface to 17,999-ft-MSL

Times:
9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. local Sunday, August 16

==> 12 nm radius no-fly zone <==
Location:
GCN VOR's 352-degree radial at 3.6 nautical miles
Surface to 17,999-ft-MSL

Times:
9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. local Sunday, August 16

==> IMPACTED AIRPORTS <==
Grand Canyon National Park GCN
Valle 40G


View the notam ( http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html#9/4505 ).

Because TFR airspace frequently changes, AOPA strongly encourages
pilots to obtain a briefing before every flight.

[redsox223]

As I have missed the two other opportunities to catch AF1, I am hoping to do some tomorrow. Looking at others pictures, it looks like the top deck of the extended parking garage would be a good spot (assuming planes are landing from the west). I was just wondering which of the two garages is the one that I should go to.

[Joe Copalman]

The northern of the two garages in the east economy lot is ideal, since AF1 always uses the north runway.  Correction on the approach - it's only ideal if the approach is from the east.  The trouble this time of year is that if AF1 comes in after 4-ish, the sun will be on the north-facing side of the aircraft.   

Also, can someone please school my non-rated arse on what the TFR stuff means?  Does that mean that most non-commercial air traffic stops this weekend? 

[Matt Ottosen]

The Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). A wide variety of activities are regulated, such as airplane design, typical airline flights, pilot training activities, hot-air ballooning, lighter than air craft, man-made structure heights, obstruction lighting and marking, and even model rocket launches and model aircraft operation. The rules are designed to promote safe aviation, protecting pilots, passengers and the general public from unnecessary risk. They are also intended to protect the national security of the United States, especially in light of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Section 91.145
This section describes a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). A TFR is a geographically-limited, short-term, airspace restriction, typically in the United States. Temporary flight restrictions often encompass major sporting events, natural disaster areas, air shows, space launches, and Presidential movements. Before the September 11, 2001 attacks, most TFRs were in the interest of safety to flying aircraft with occasional small restrictions for Presidential movements. Since 9/11, TFRs have been routinely used to restrict airspace for 30 nautical miles around the President, with a 10-nautical-mile (20 km) radius no-fly zone for non-scheduled flights. They are also available to other important people such as presidential and vice-presidential candidates.  TFRs are deeply unpopular with pilots in the general aviation sector. Large Presidential TFRs frequently close off not only the airport Air Force One is using but nearby airports as well. Others, including the Transportation Security Administration, argue that they are necessary for national security.

[BillOz]

My sources tell me AF1 is due to land at 6:30 pm at Sky Harbor, Saturday, landing on the north runway as usual.  Pretty much what everyone expected I think.

[Joe Copalman]

Hmm.  Sunset @ 7:14.  Should be good shooting, especially from north of the runway. 

Anyone planning on going out to catch the departure tomorrow morning?

[BillOz]

I was doing a search on Grand Canyon Airport to see how big it is, if it can handle a 747, and Wikipedia already shows that Obama is scheduled to land at 10:00 am. at the Grand Canyon Airport.  Means he would probably leave around 9:00-9:30.  If all the media reports are correct.  I'll ask my source if he knows more.

I might try to get out there for the departure, as well as tonights arrival.

[Joe Copalman]

To add to the interestingness @ PHX today, Honeywell's 757 is out and about today, currently tracking for a 1:48pm return to PHX:

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N757HW

[John S]

Anything been said about Mondays takeoff time?  Will be my only chance this time around to get AF1.  Working weekends stink!

Thanks
John