I took a girl friend for a sight seeing flight along the beach this afternoon over to Destin and back to Pensacola.
On our return flight from Destin, we were at 800 feet flying along the beach just east of Hurlbert Field. I was advised by Eglin Approach to switch radio frequencies to Hurlbert Field Tower in order to transition it's airspace. I did so -- and shortly after making contact with Hurlbert Tower, I was informed that I had "traffic" (another airplane close by) at my 2 o'clock position (off of my right nose) and 5 miles away...a 747 "heavy".
I saw the other airplane's position on my new GPS screen in the cockpit that displays TIS (traffic information sservices) -- and quickly made visual contact with the aircraft in the distance. I jokingly said to my friend over the intercom, "I wonder if that is Air Force 1?".
Since a 747 on approach to land is faster than I could ever hope to be at full power, I knew the airplane would pass across my nose, so I advised Hurlbert Tower that I had the traffic in sight, was already west of his runway, and would descend to 600 feet. We watched as the 747 grew closer -- and began to pass in front of me. To my amazement, I could clearly make out the unique paint scheme of none other -- than Air Force 1 !!
The attached image is the best I could do in a rush with my digital camera (something told me to take it along on the flight) at a distance of a mile or so. He had lowered his landing gear and was preparing to make his turn to land on the northward runway that we had just passed.
Since we were even being allowed to fly in the area at all -- I knew that is really wasn't "Air Force 1" -- with President Bush on board -- as a no fly zone follows that airplane. Upon arriving back home later, I saw that President Bush was in New Orleans this afternoon for a review of hurricane relief efforts. Since his primary 747 never leaves the area while he is on the ground, my guess is that this was the other 747 used for Air Force 1 flights -- since two are in existance. Maybe they stage the second airplane at an Air Force base close by when the first airplane is actually on an air Force 1 flight. Since Keesler in Biloxi was severely damaged, Hurlbert Field is the next closest Air Force base along the coast to the New Orleans area.
It was a treat to see the beautifully painted 747 fly across my track and turn for a landing -- definitely not something one sees everyday!
It was a beautiful day to fly!
