 
Elsuperbob
Member
Username: Elsuperbob
Post Number: 88
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 7:58 pm: |    |
While passing the airport, a few minutes after 3, today I saw (first heard) an F-16 come screaming overhead. It made a sharp left over the western end of the airport and a sharp 180 at the south end to come in for a landing maybe on runway 22L. I lost it while it was low but apparently it did a fake landing because I saw it heading skyward again after which I lost it as I moved west on 94.
I'm just curious why they would perform this at Metro and if it's something that happens regularly. It was kinda cool to watch it dart around. |
Focusonthed
Member
Username: Focusonthed
Post Number: 1402
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 8:08 pm: | |
I used to see this daily over Selfridge. For awhile, they took off every morning around like 8:05. |
Yeti
Member
Username: Yeti
Post Number: 4
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 8:10 pm: | |
I saw it down by the Willow Run Airport around 9:30 this morning. |
Tarkus
Member
Username: Tarkus
Post Number: 404
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 8:17 pm: | |
It was buzzing downtown Wednesday afternoon. |
Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 3625
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 8:37 pm: | |
F-16 touch'n'goes at DTW? Why not MTC? |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2527
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 8:54 pm: | |
I heard it fly over or near the court house around 3:00pm Thursday |
Iheartthed
Member
Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 1994
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 9:00 pm: | |
Wasn't Metro a military base at one time? |
Mikem
Member
Username: Mikem
Post Number: 3506
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 9:17 pm: | |
The guard tends to go on spurious missions to use the remainder of their budget lest they lose funding next year. The guys I know in guard/reserves hate it too; they have to waste their days off converting kerosene to noise. |
Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw
Post Number: 6420
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 11:40 pm: | |
They do touch and go's fairly regularly at Windsor too... |
Lilpup
Member
Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 3003
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 11:50 pm: | |
Our guys do touch and go's at Windsor? Or your guys? |
Andyguard73
Member
Username: Andyguard73
Post Number: 252
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 11:52 pm: | |
Maybe it was Starscream getting ready for the sequel. |
Luckycar
Member
Username: Luckycar
Post Number: 50
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 7:17 am: | |
RF-84 Thunderflash was a recon version of the F84.These were Rebublic Aviation fighters of the mid 1950s.Transferred to the Air National Guard by the 60s.They used to either be stationed or temp.stationed at Metro.A lot of airports in the 50s/60s had Air Defense Command jets on them.5 min. alert in case the Russkies tried to tamper with our "precious body fluids"'to quote from Dr.Stranglove. |
Birwood
Member
Username: Birwood
Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 10:26 am: | |
I believe Detroit Metro is listed as an alternate recovery field and periodically they test the Air Traffic Control and Instrument Landing Systems, especially if the FAA and NTSB have completed any upgrades and or repairs to the systems
It easier for a small military aircraft to hop around from field to field than a commercial jet with passengers.
Plus, military pilots just like a small private pilot are required to maintain their proficency in handling their aircraft in heavy air traffic areas under Air Traffic Control rules.
Believe it or not, the military has to play buy the same FAA rules as airliners and small planes.
They just don't take off and fly helter skelter like you see in movies |
Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw
Post Number: 6425
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 8:36 am: | |
Lilpup, your guys.
They have some kind of agreement that lets them cross over the airspace.
A few years back, one made an emergency landing at Windsor when the pilot ran out of fuel, well at least not enough to get back to selfridge....
Sat here for a day or two till they came to get it... |
Supersport
Member
Username: Supersport
Post Number: 11710
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 9:10 am: | |
Weren't they afraid the Canadians would steal all our top secret equipment on the plane and sell it to the Chinese? |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 4480
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 12:14 pm: | |
quote:Believe it or not, the military has to play buy the same FAA rules as airliners and small planes.
They just don't take off and fly helter skelter like you see in movies
Actually, the vast majority of relatively "low altitude" airspace is uncontrolled. I forget the ceiling for that airspace (much too high for my GA), but it's around 18,000 feet. |
Mikem
Member
Username: Mikem
Post Number: 3511
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 12:37 pm: | |
Below 1,200' is generally uncontrolled, lower in spots, higher in others - uncontrolled meaning ATC does not offer its service. You can fly up to 18,000' VFR without utilizing the service even though it's controlled airspace. |