Posted on 01/04/2002 2:41:29 PM PST by psalm37
About 30 Minutes ago, 6:10-ish Eastern Time I was outside and noticed three aircraft flying South. I'm inside the Beltway, in Northern VA (about 10 miles from DC); I'd guess these aircraft were not actually over DC, but close.
The lead aircraft was lit up like an airliner at low altitude, the other two were definitely CAP aircraft, with just white blinking beacons (one each). The CAPs came up behind the airliner at high speed then backed off to match speed with it. Then the CAP to the left sped up and came so close to the airliner that I could not distinguish which was which. I never heard any engine or other noises because they were all too far away, and at this time of evening, rush-hour traffic is in full swing - lots of ambient sounds.
Next they all started turning to the left and straightened out heading North-Eastward. At this time either the airliner or the CAP closest to it showed a new light, which was very intense, and looked yellow/orange. At this point I would have been looking at them from the rear and left. I watched this scene, including the new, intense, yellow/orange light for another 10-15 seconds before I lost sight of them in the trees.
At first I wondered if this was a mid-air re-fueling, with the brightest light being used for visibility purposes, but I wonder if they would re-fuel like that at such low altitude, and over such a highly populated area.
Point your screen towards the window. Unless you have glare control, you should be able to see a reflection.
Refueling is typically done in standard refueling "tracks" where the tanker flies around a large, four-cornered "race-course" shaped trajectory in the sky whilst thirsting aircraft line up to be "serviced."
It makes no sense for this to be done over a populated area, or at low altitude, except in some unusual emergency situation.
Could be, but wouldn't you think they'd have been with that VIP plane all along, instead of just catching up with it?
You better ask the Slippy one about that...
Yes, it does. Thanks.
Just kidding. I wouldn't be surprised if it was, A. a refueling, or B. some drunk on a flight, & pilot asked for an escort... :0)
This is possible, but not likely. As I said, I saw the light from behind and to the left of the aircraft. I would guess their altitude to have been low enough to be in a landing pattern, but not low enough to be on an approach. Planes on approach to Reagan National often pass over the house low enough to distinguish the airline.
Also, the CAPs usually fly at MUCH higher altitude, and at MUCH higher speed.
Those afterburners sure are purty.
Maybe, but I only saw three of them. Who knows... yet.
Probably flying in a Trojan Moose filled with tiny Chinese for a weekend coup.
[best not to ask?]
I think I'll check out late night Freeping just once. Mornings are too business like
Bwhaaaaaa
I used to see all sorts of military hardware floating and flying by. The most bizarre were giant gray hovercraft that would come up the river day, or night, would sit and idle near our home for between 1/2 hour and 1 hour, then hover back down-river again.
Also, when the aircraft fly up the river, they're not too shy about it - they fly very low, very fast, usually in pairs. Once I saw a pair fly UNDER the Rt. 3 bridge!
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