Royal Visit April 2014

[Grahame Hutchison]

1349L A36002 has just appeared on ADS-B with no position data at present. Call Sign ASY312
1350L Position data now available - FL340 at 408kts and tracking 315 for YSSY and approx 140nm out.
1403L Started descent at 460kts
1407L ATC - ASY312 cleared to 9000ft for Runway 16R with an independent visual approach when visual
1411L Maintaining 9000 at 310kts
1413L ATC - ASY312 descend to 7000ft
1415L ATC - AST312 descent 6000ft - looks like they will overfly the field for a right circuit to Runway 16R
1416L ATC - ASY312 Right heading 290 - currently 270kts
1420L Overhead Castle Hill tracking 012
1423L Overhead Hornsby at 3300ft heading 141 to intercept the localizer
1426L Overhead Drummoyne on final for Runway 16R at 166kts and 1600ft
1428L Touchdown Runway 16R
1429L Taxiing on Bravo then right onto Runway 07
1435L Parked at DOM6

[Greg Hyde]

When the US President flies there is always AF1 plus a backup B747 aircraft.

AF1 is given to the aircraft that is carrying the Pres at the time.

If one goes u/s they can switch to the other plane (which becomes AF1) and continue.

I expect the RAAF were doing the same procedure.

I don't think it is that elaborate for the PM.

[Grahame Hutchison]

A36002 FR24-- 22/04/2014 10:05 B737-7DT BBJ - RAAF ALG 34 Squadron VIP Transport - Canberra-Uluru
-> Callsign RGL3 With The Royals Onboard
-> A36001 Is Following 17Min Behind
-> 1320EST A36002 has tracked south of Yulara and Uluru at 5,800ft, then out around Petermann and Kings Canyon, while VA1627 does its approach to Runway 31. Presumable doing a bit of sight seeing.
-> 1330EST A36002 touchdown on Runway 13. Conditions are good (230 at 6kts in the ATIS), as VA 1627 landed in the opposite direction.

AYERS ROCK (YAYE)
TAF YAYE 212217Z 2200/2212
23006KT CAVOK
FM220900 16005KT CAVOK
RMK
T 23 29 31 28 Q 1019 1017 1015 1016

METAR YAYE 220330Z AUTO 21006KT 9999 // NCD 31/02 Q1017
RMK RF00.0/000.0

[Rowan McKeever]

Is it unusual that they'd use -002 to carry the royal family? My understanding of the protocol is that -001 is the 'primary' aircraft and used by the GG and royal family? Is it also unusual for both aircraft to go everywhere?

[Nigel C]

Throughout the last Federal Election campaign, then Prime Minister Rudd was using -002 for all his campaigning, and Abbott was using -001.

[Grahame Hutchison]

A36001 actually landed at Alice Springs at 1400EST, presumably as a backup in case of any operational issues with A36002.

[Greg Hyde]

Are both 001 & 002 identical ? ie: Internal fitout

Also has the press pack chartered an aircraft for this tour ?

[Grahame Hutchison]

A36002 FR24-- 23/04/2014 09:18 B737-7DT BBJ - RAAF ALG 34 Squadron VIP Transport - Uluru-Edinburgh AFB- Callsign RGL3
A36001 FR24-- 23/04/2014 09:16 B737-7DT BBJ - RAAF ALG 34 Squadron VIP Transport - Alice Springs-Edinburgh AFB- Callsign Envoy 53

11:15 EST A36002 just landed Runway 36 at Edinburgh Air Force Base
11:46 EST A36001 just landed Runway 36 at Edinburgh Air Force Base

[Rowan McKeever]

Originally Posted by Greg Hyde

Also has the press pack chartered an aircraft for this tour ?

Nothing that shows up on flightaware at least

[Grahame Hutchison]

A36002 FR24-- 23/04/2014 14:40 B737-7DT BBJ - RAAF ALG 34 Squadron VIP Transport - Edinburgh AFB-Canberra - Callsign RGL3
A36001 FR24-- 23/04/2014 15:02 B737-7DT BBJ - RAAF ALG 34 Squadron VIP Transport - Edinburgh AFB-Canberra - Callsign Envoy 53

15:56 EST A36002 landed Runway 35 at Canberra
16:23 EST A36001 landed Runway 35 at Canberra