LiveATC Discussion Forums

Air Traffic Monitoring => Listener Forum => Topic started by: eastern tristar on November 14, 2008, 10:59:22 AM

Title: Speedbird 1
Post by: eastern tristar on November 14, 2008, 10:59:22 AM

I just heard speedbird 1 cleared for takeoff to Andrews AFB.  The controller said "you're much quieter than the old speedbird 1"   it was a 777.
It must be someone very important who gets to fly under that flight number.  Does anyone know who it is and how often they use that flight number.

I personally feel that if it isn't the Concorde flying, it should not be used.

Title: Re: Speedbird 1
Post by: MattG on November 14, 2008, 12:52:40 PM

According to FlightAware.com, it has only been used (in the US) twice, yesterday (LHR->JFK) and then today (JFK->ADW), in the past few months.  That is all FlightAware has right now, no history of a departure from ADW yet.  I have no idea how often it might be used outside the states, as FlightAware does not cover any other areas.

I'm not 100% sure but it appears that G-YMMI (http://www.airliners.net/photo/British-Airways/Boeing-777-236-ER/1398325/L/) is operating as BAW1.

Title: Re: Speedbird 1
Post by: jsapyta on November 14, 2008, 01:20:29 PM

They could be just testing it out. I'm thinking that since there at Andrews AFB.

Title: Re: Speedbird 1
Post by: MattG on November 14, 2008, 02:03:43 PM

It looks like President Bush is holding a meeting at the White House this weekend with leaders of 20 other countries.  That would explain BAW1 and the other civil and military jets there or enroute (AIC1, ARG1001, GIA 1, KAL63, SVA1B, CCA17, and SDM9001).

Title: Re: Speedbird 1
Post by: glencar on November 15, 2008, 02:07:21 AM

Yes, it's called the G20 Summit.