AF1 Spotting In ATL - 8/3/10 — Military Forum

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AF1 Spotting In ATL - 8/3/10

AndrewC75 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 91 posts, RR: 0
Posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 2216 times:

Atlanta locals and AF1 aficionados,
My wife and I would like to see if we can witness Air Force One's Atlanta arrival tomorrow. KMGE is the destination, and winds are forecast out of the east at 5-10 MPH, shifting south. Normally, that would mean a RWY 11 arrival, but AF1 can easily make a RWY 29 arrival (more straight in from Andrews) with such winds. Does anyone know which they're most likely to use? In either case, can anyone recommend good spotting areas at either end? I'm thinking near Pep Boys for a 29 arrival, and somewhere off S. Atlanta Rd for an 11 arrival. Ideas? We're aware that anywhere we end up we could be questioned and are prepared to move if asked.

-Andrew

4 replies: All unread, jump to last

ALTF4 From United States of America, joined Jul 2010, 1143 posts, RR: 4
Reply 1, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 2144 times:

Wish I had seen this earlier - wasn't aware we were getting a visit! There'a actually a Goodyear about 3/4 mile south of the PepBoys on the opposite side of 41 that is on a nice hill, giving a good view of the base. It backs up to the large cemetery. I would have tried there, but by now its too late - unless you stay around for the departure.

Anybody know when AF1 is departing? I might swing up there and take a gander...

EDIT - AF1 is coming in on 8/2 (today) not 8/3, right?

[Edited 2010-08-02 08:51:30]

The above post is my opinion. Don't like it? Don't read it.

474218 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 6340 posts, RR: 9
Reply 2, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 2135 times:

Quoting AndrewC75 (Thread starter):
Atlanta locals and AF1 aficionados,
My wife and I would like to see if we can witness Air Force One's Atlanta arrival tomorrow. KMGE is the destination, and winds are forecast out of the east at 5-10 MPH, shifting south. Normally, that would mean a RWY 11 arrival, but AF1 can easily make a RWY 29 arrival (more straight in from Andrews) with such winds. Does anyone know which they're most likely to use? In either case, can anyone recommend good spotting areas at either end? I'm thinking near Pep Boys for a 29 arrival, and somewhere off S. Atlanta Rd for an 11 arrival. Ideas? We're aware that anywhere we end up we could be questioned and are prepared to move if asked.

There is a strip mall on Atlanta Road just south of the runway. I have gotten several nice shots of C-130's both landing and taking off from the parking lot.

AndrewC75 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 91 posts, RR: 0
Reply 3, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2098 times:

Thanks for the replies, even if a little too late. We ended up in the new Edwin Watts parking lot for the arrival. AF1 arrived on Rwy 11, but think it worked out perfectly for us (weather not withstanding) since the rollout was longer than those previously seen at KMGE and we got a good view of it on the ground. Got back to the area a little too late for departure.

Air Force One - KMGE - 8/2/10

(Dear God I need to re-edit that! It was a quicky.)

[Edited 2010-08-02 12:33:49]

ALTF4 From United States of America, joined Jul 2010, 1143 posts, RR: 4
Reply 4, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1996 times:

Quoting AndrewC75 (Reply 3):

Wish I could have been there! Glad you found a good spot