Bush coming to Belgium in February 2005

Sterre · Post by **Sterre** » 21 Feb 2005, 10:11

Does anybody have any idea when and from which rwy AF1 will leave the 23rd?
I heard it would be between 08.00 and 09.00 am, can anyone confirm this?

Since AF1 is parked at Apron 3, it would be the closest to take off at 25L, but can a plane of that size turn round at the end of that rwy? To me it seems more convenient if AF1 would taxi to 25R, which is longer and where it is easier to turn. I suppose an a/c of that size with a full load needs a full length rwy, no?

BieleAlbatrosy · Post by **BieleAlbatrosy** » 21 Feb 2005, 10:28

In don't think AF1 is that heavy as a some of you guys (and girls) think. What does he have on board? Not much more fuel then a regular 747; cargo? almost nothing in my opinion (ok he does have some extra equipment); and actually only a handfull of people if you compare to other 747's.
My guess is that he will be airborne at around 1/3th of the runway length.
(Hehe, what a discussion again).

Post by **Bruspotter** » 21 Feb 2005, 10:36

Hello guys!!!!

You guys got some damn nice pictures!!!! REALLY COOL!!! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Can I ask you , could you see AF1 good during the landing in the dark , or where it just some lights??? I can see for myself that on the tarmac you can see him well...but how was that during landing?

O i'm really feeling so bad I couldn't come!!!

But i'm hoping for some real specials the next coming months...and I know there will be.

Maybe I should spot him at Paris,Frankfurt,Londen , if he vistits that cities within a couple of years??? Who knows...maybe when i'm free for a day and it might even be in the daylight. Waiting for that day.

Best regards: Yannick

Post by **sn26567** » 21 Feb 2005, 11:17

Arriving in Brussels:

slipsnifter · Post by **slipsnifter** » 21 Feb 2005, 12:29

BieleAlbatrosy wrote:In don't think AF1 is that heavy as a some of you guys (and girls) think. What does he have on board? Not much more fuel then a regular 747; cargo?

If the info I have now is right, he will go to frankfurt, so he won't have that much fuel on board. So in my opinion, no prob for 25 L.

BRU-CPH · Post by **BRU-CPH** » 21 Feb 2005, 13:09

arthurv wrote:(all times in local Brussels times)

20h34: AF1 announces itself on Brussels Center (131.100). ATC says "AF 1, good evening, routing KOKSY-KERKY-BRUNO, expect 25L in Brussels".

Off topic, but where can I find some details on routings for Brussels arrivings and departures? What does ANT (Antwerp?), KOKSY (Koksijde?), KERKY and BRUNO mean?

arthurv · Post by **arthurv** » 21 Feb 2005, 14:00

BRU-CPH wrote: Off topic, but where can I find some details on routings for Brussels arrivings and departures? What does ANT (Antwerp?), KOKSY (Koksijde?), KERKY and BRUNO mean?

(off topic answer)
There a 2 virtual air traffic simulation communities (networks) active who try to simulate the real world air traffic procedures and routings as closely as possible.
For Belgium/Brussels National, you can find these virtual procedures on
http://beluxvacc.org/controller/procedures/brussels.htm (VATSIM network)
or on
http://ivao.costes.net/index.php?page=procedures (IVAO network)

These virtual procedures and routings are very similar (if not identical) to the real world air traffic procedures.

waldova · Post by **waldova** » 21 Feb 2005, 14:20

There is one thing that I don't understand. Everybody is talking about taking of on 25L. But wouldn't it just be faster to go to 25R or 20 instead of doing a backtrack on 25L?

Post by **Bruspotter** » 21 Feb 2005, 14:21

Hello AF1 spotters!

I followed all AF1 discussions really close...and I found another question.

Look at this:

If the info I have now is right, he will go to frankfurt, so he won't have that much fuel on board. So in my opinion, no prob for 25 L.

Indeed , it doesn't need much fuel for that flight and it neither is a problem for taking off at RWY25L with that weight. But...WHY would he do that. After all it's further away from it's stand than 25R...so...the military side AND the Abelag is along 25R so I think my question is quite important.

I do have a VERY LITTLE chance to go spotting him Wednesday 23/02 but than i need to know wich runway to choose , like all the rest of the spotters. Because if you miss one...it's toooo late.

By the way about what I just said

if you miss one...it's toooo late.

, Where there two VC-25's????? Or just a simple one?

I can't promise anything this time. But everyone that can go at Wednesday...YOU GUYS ARE VERY LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks in advance and best regards: Yannick

Sterre · Post by **Sterre** » 21 Feb 2005, 14:21

Yes, Waldova, that was exactly my point as well. That it would be much easier and faster to go to 25R for example.

Zorba · Post by **Zorba** » 21 Feb 2005, 16:57

Indeed, I was watching to "Het Geslacht de pauw" when Jense send me a SMS (thanks

) I was going upstairs to grap my scanner. I heared here on 131.10. Heared some pilots who were holding above KERKY and they didn't sound very happy (I understand 100%

) I kept Ivan up to date

Then AF1 came in, but first there was a "SAM" plane. When I heared "AF1, turn right heading 220, cleared ILS 25L" I took my camera and went outside.

I saw the plane turning and flew right over my house (The Canon 300D flashes a few times in low light to do a proper AF, but I was doing it, maybe Mr Bush saw my flash

8) ). Took some pictures but not very nice ...

It was nice to hear and see it. Too bad I have to go to school on wednesday ...

Regards!
Rutger

Flying_circus · Post by **Flying_circus** » 21 Feb 2005, 17:15

E-4B arrived at Prague this morning. http://www.planes.cz/foto1.asp?mode=det ... H&jazyk=cz

Post by **luchtzak** » 21 Feb 2005, 17:29

Flying_circus wrote:E-4B arrived at Prague this morning. http://www.planes.cz/foto1.asp?mode=det ... H&jazyk=cz

Is that the second Boeing 747 ?

And here is another image of Air Force One @ EBBR

Glider · Post by **Glider** » 21 Feb 2005, 17:46

Bart, is that pic taken from the sandhills? If not, from where? Is it accessable by 'normal' public?

Post by **luchtzak** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:02

Glider wrote:Bart, is that pic taken from the sandhills? If not, from where? Is it accessable by 'normal' public?

Don't know the location where the pic was taken, sorry

waldova · Post by **waldova** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:04

But it is a nice photo!!!

Glider · Post by **Glider** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:15

Yes, it really is!

It's ok Bart, maybe someone else knows. Some luchtzakkers out there know almost everything

Post by **Apuneger** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:59

Thanks Rutger for the info!

About the departure this Wednesday: don't forget that AF1 is parked neither at Abelag nor at the AML, but at apron 3. From there, the quickest way to get out of EBBR is RWY 02/20 or 07R/25L.

Since they expect northeasterly winds on Wednesday, a 02 departure seems quite obvious, with a 07R departure on a second place.

So, basically, if you want to take a picture with the best chance of seeing him, you might want to go to the sand hills: good view of 02, 07R, 20 and 25L departures, but not so good for 07L and 25R.

The spot near the threshold of RWY 02 is also quite good, but it's not so good for 07L, 25L 25R departures. Furthermore, if AF1 should get cleared for 25R departure, no way of getting there in time. Standing at the sandhills, you just might make it in time to the sound wall or even Abelag, where he gets airborne.

So, according to this info if you stand at the sand hills you just might have the best chance of seeing AF1 takeoff or at least taxi out. Let's just hope the local police won't transform that area into a 'prohibited' one.

Remarks/suggestions are always welcome of course.

Greets,
Ivan

CFB · Post by **CFB** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:59

CFB wrote:I took some pics of the AF1 this morning at level 4 in the OT.
Will post them this evening.

As promised...

Bad weather conditions at that very moment...

Click to enlarge:

Post by **Apuneger** » 21 Feb 2005, 19:01

CFB wrote:
CFB wrote:I took some pics of the AF1 this morning at level 4 in the OT.
Will post them this evening.
As promised...

Bad weather conditions at that very moment...

Is this area free accessible?

Greets,
Ivan