Look out below!!!

Silverbursted · 02-17-2009, 07:52 PM

There I was, and this aint no shit...
As a lot of you know, I am a Test Pilot for Boeing in Mesa, AZ. So I was out all day today on a very long test (flew to Palm Springs and back), and was doing everything in my power to get back on the ground by 5:01 PM because President Obama is due to land in Air Force 1 at Phoenix airport at that time. So there I was less than 2 miles from my final checkpoint and called into tower for landing permission (its only 4:30 PM at this point), and to my surprise tower tells me "remain clear, contact Phoenix approach immediately!!!". Yes he had some urgency in the tone of his voice. So I flipped my radio to approach, and they tell me "begin an immediate descent to below 100 feet!!!". Yep he had a sound of urgency in his voice too. Certainly an odd request, or order in this case, so I complied right away. So as I'm making my descent, I looked up, and less than 500 feet directly above me is a large airliner!!!
Holy crap, is that Air Force 1?, The pilot I was flying with says it can't be, not that low (only about 2,000 feet). So as he goes overhead, the jet begins a right turn, and sure enough, the distinctive paint scheme was very clear. Ya dude, thats Air Force 1!!!
It does not really matter who you voted for or supported during the last election, but being that close to Air Force 1 is very cool, particularly in flight.
Anyway, it was a real surprise to me, so I thought I would share. I just hope I don't get a flight violation from the FAA.

***Adwex*** · 02-18-2009, 08:32 AM

Cool story!
As an Engineer, with a child-like fascination with aviation, I can relate to the coolness of your encounter. I'm not a pilot, but I find planes (and spacecraft) very interesting, from an engineering perspective. Funny coincidence...they just aired a documentary on the History Channel (or Discovery, I forget) about Air Force One...a whole behind the scenes look at what goes into it's operation.

I didn't know you were a test pilot, I'd love to hear more stories if you're willing to tell.

American Viking · 02-18-2009, 04:11 PM

+1

Silverbursted · 02-18-2009, 05:29 PM

The funny thing about pilots is you never have to ask a pilot if he is a pilot...they will generally tell you before you ask. Heeheehee
(Obviously guilty as charged)

Silverbursted · 02-18-2009, 05:34 PM

This is what its all about. Taken care of business in Iraq.
WW30mm.flv video by Silverbursted - Photobucket

Silverbursted · 02-18-2009, 05:42 PM

Never mind the publicity photos at the beginning, wasn't my idea. But this was some shots from a test I did last year called Future Force Warrior.
Nevada Longbow :: Longbow Nevada remix by Silverbursted - Photobucket

luekemeyer · 02-21-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverbursted

This is what its all about. Taken care of business in Iraq.
WW30mm.flv video by Silverbursted - Photobucket

Goodbye Iraqi's... Probably heading to the bar to watch some TV and discuss what kind model of Marshall they want for christmas. Then bammmm... They get nailed by the chain gun.
My dad was a test pilot for Textron/Bell during Vietnam. He tested the Huey.

HOT TUBES 70 · 02-22-2009, 03:46 AM

i was watching some video on the raptor , what a fucking killing machine !!!!
go to u tube and check this thing out !!!!

Vintager12 · 02-22-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverbursted

The funny thing about pilots is you never have to ask a pilot if he is a pilot...they will generally tell you before you ask. Heeheehee
(Obviously guilty as charged)

Xiderpunk · 03-02-2009, 12:52 PM

Wow, below 100ft? Typo perhaps? Lowest clearance I have ever had was on a special VFR accross London just below the TMA at around 1000ft.

I am a pilot also, although not professionally.. I am a lowly PPL albeit a fairly committed one; getting in the air as often as I can. Wings and strings are my two passions!

02-17-2009, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Look out below!!! There I was, and this aint no shit... As a lot of you know, I am a Test Pilot for Boeing in Mesa, AZ. So I was out all day today on a very long test (flew to Palm Springs and back), and was doing everything in my power to get back on the ground by 5:01 PM because President Obama is due to land in Air Force 1 at Phoenix airport at that time. So there I was less than 2 miles from my final checkpoint and called into tower for landing permission (its only 4:30 PM at this point), and to my surprise tower tells me "remain clear, contact Phoenix approach immediately!!!". Yes he had some urgency in the tone of his voice. So I flipped my radio to approach, and they tell me "begin an immediate descent to below 100 feet!!!". Yep he had a sound of urgency in his voice too. Certainly an odd request, or order in this case, so I complied right away. So as I'm making my descent, I looked up, and less than 500 feet directly above me is a large airliner!!! Holy crap, is that Air Force 1?, The pilot I was flying with says it can't be, not that low (only about 2,000 feet). So as he goes overhead, the jet begins a right turn, and sure enough, the distinctive paint scheme was very clear. Ya dude, thats Air Force 1!!! It does not really matter who you voted for or supported during the last election, but being that close to Air Force 1 is very cool, particularly in flight. Anyway, it was a real surprise to me, so I thought I would share. I just hope I don't get a flight violation from the FAA. __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

02-18-2009, 08:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
*Adwex* Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,205	Re: Look out below!!! Cool story! As an Engineer, with a child-like fascination with aviation, I can relate to the coolness of your encounter. I'm not a pilot, but I find planes (and spacecraft) very interesting, from an engineering perspective. Funny coincidence...they just aired a documentary on the History Channel (or Discovery, I forget) about Air Force One...a whole behind the scenes look at what goes into it's operation. I didn't know you were a test pilot, I'd love to hear more stories if you're willing to tell.

02-18-2009, 04:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
American Viking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Posts: 2,031	Re: Look out below!!! +1 __________________ Transformers inside amplifiers were not originally designed to be in there, and the tube was not created for the guitar amp. ANY recommended idle current is a guideline and in no way a necessary requirement. There is no skeleton key for any tube amp.

02-18-2009, 05:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Re: Look out below!!! The funny thing about pilots is you never have to ask a pilot if he is a pilot...they will generally tell you before you ask. Heeheehee (Obviously guilty as charged) __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

02-18-2009, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Re: Look out below!!! This is what its all about. Taken care of business in Iraq. WW30mm.flv video by Silverbursted - Photobucket __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

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02-18-2009, 05:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Re: Look out below!!! Never mind the publicity photos at the beginning, wasn't my idea. But this was some shots from a test I did last year called Future Force Warrior. Nevada Longbow :: Longbow Nevada remix by Silverbursted - Photobucket __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

02-22-2009, 03:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
HOT TUBES 70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SASKATOON Posts: 2,345	Re: Look out below!!! i was watching some video on the raptor , what a fucking killing machine !!!! go to u tube and check this thing out !!!!

03-02-2009, 12:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Xiderpunk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Farnborough, UK Posts: 122	Re: Look out below!!! Wow, below 100ft? Typo perhaps? Lowest clearance I have ever had was on a special VFR accross London just below the TMA at around 1000ft. I am a pilot also, although not professionally.. I am a lowly PPL albeit a fairly committed one; getting in the air as often as I can. Wings and strings are my two passions! __________________ Marshall JCM2000 DSL-50 with 1960A 4x12 (2 x GT-75's + 2 x Vintage 30's) V1: NOS Mullard 12AX7 V2: Sovtek 12AX7-EH V3: JJ ECC83S V4: JJ ECC83S Power: JJ KT77 or JJ EL34L http://www.myspace.com/taintedgraceband

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