Notam 25/03/21

[saint1]

" I have 68-10337 going out on Dec 1st with Mode S and 80-1083 returning on Dec 23rd Mode S: "

Ah , yes looking back the tracking sites were buzzing because they could see it Mode S.
Sad really , we track it every day ! )

At least you now know it has been Mode S after July 2020 I suppose, not bad for a legacy platform

[slogen51]

16:02 Black 01 checking back in on Swanwick at ROPAL on 133.325 bandboxed

[zero_gravity]

Mode C data [60,000 ft ] starting to appear.
Suspect he is returning Mode A/C only.

Our last contact this morning was east of Bornholm and into the Baltic at which point I think he may have strangled Mode S

[zero_gravity]

So , he should be on the tracking sites about 60 miles out from the coast ?

[zero_gravity]

[Gus0898uk]

Descending to flight level 500 from 600 at 1638. Requested ILS for 27, now 450 at 1640

[Paulgul]

Sad really , we track it every day ! )

Just need to catch up to the fact it's 2021 and look to move away from legacy desktop applications and in to 'the cloud' Of course, if you're already doing so then ignore this post!

When you say "cloud" I assume you mean web based, the PP desktop programme is much more configurable than any web based site, you can add tracks, areas, reporting points to suit the users needs and not have to rely on a format that someone else thinks is best. It does take a while to set up but the PP programme is far superior to any web based site

[Ollie]

6000 ft ILS 27 traffic service BLACK01

[HeliPaul]

Just spotted OTT Malvern whilst sunning myself in the back garden, first time I've seen one for ages as usually cloudy !!

[tomahawk_pa38]

How long can these incredible machine stay up for then. That's almost 11 hours with no in flight refuelling. Do they burn much fuel in cruise?

[POL]

Sad really , we track it every day ! )

Just need to catch up to the fact it's 2021 and look to move away from legacy desktop applications and in to 'the cloud' Of course, if you're already doing so then ignore this post!

When you say "cloud" I assume you mean web based, the PP desktop programme is much more configurable than any web based site, you can add tracks, areas, reporting points to suit the users needs and not have to rely on a format that someone else thinks is best. It does take a while to set up but the PP programme is far superior to any web based site

Yes. There's no reason why all of that couldn't be possible in a web based system also.

[zero_gravity]

Yes. There's no reason why all of that couldn't be possible in a web based system also.

Ah , but there is a reason

PlanePlotter is a private network for those who purchase a licence [ for an extremely small fee ]
No advertising , no outside sponsorship , free to research and develop cutting edge features for its members.
Web based trackers are limited if they use FAA data as they are subject to the "BARR" restrictions which is why so many flights appear as "blocked".
As a private network we also respond to users requests for more features , often within days!
Which web tracker has live Oceanic satellite traffic , HFDL, ACARS , CPDLC Mode S, ADS-B ,Mlat , Mode A/C etc etc.

As for mode A/C , we have been running Beamfinder for over ten years , which developed twelve months ago into Sqwk Mlat [c] .
No web tracker , or any other tracker , has managed to emulate that so far .


Just a few reasons why the PP network , set up nearly twenty years ago , remains at the forefront of tracking for the discerning aviation enthusiast

[luxto]

How long can these incredible machine stay up for then. That's almost 11 hours with no in flight refuelling. Do they burn much fuel in cruise?

The Air Force states that the range of the U-2S is more than 6,090 nautical miles which I think equates to an endurance greater than 14 hours. This mission was 10hrs 13mins long but flights of up to 12 hrs are normally the maximum undertaken by the type. Judging by the amount of ice accretion on the wings when this one landed it had plenty of fuel remaining in case it had to divert. As for fuel burn in cruise - ?

[page_verify]

Luxto knows them well.

The endurance limit in the person in the cockpit rather than the fuel or fluids.
12 hours is the usual working limit, although I've heard mention of a 14 hour mission during the intense Afghanistan era.
My assumption has always been that something outside of the aircraft determines the length of a mission.

As for fuel, they can launch with up to 2,950 gallons and their minimum landing fuel is no less then 125 gallons. They do burn more fuel sat idle on the ground than they do at full throttle at max altitude, but the days of them keeping it at full throttle until its time to start descending for home ended a long time ago.

[luxto]

My assumption has always been that something outside of the aircraft determines the length of a mission.

I think that's correct when 12hr missions are planned - the Physiological effect on the pilot of being suited up and breathing pure oxygen for an additional 1hr prior to launch is, I believe, the governing factor. I also believe that being in the suit for more than 13hrs is something that requires higher authority clearance.

[C24]

Planeplotter has always looked far too complicated for me, the non technical user. I’ve just looked at the site again after I gave up the last time (2010-ish).
All I require is the facility to check online what I can hear but not see outside.
My father would have loved it,, he had radio gear and aerials everywhere.

Just a thought best of luck for its future

. .

[zero_gravity]

Over the years I have set up hundreds of users via Teamviewer.

Unfortunately Teamviewer banned me a while back claiming I was using their services for commercial purposes , which of course I am not as I volunteer
my time to PP [ sometimes 16 hours a day supporting , maintaining researching and developing the software ]

A working copy can be set up in 30 minutes using the wizard and if a user doesn't have the technical knowledge or their own receiver , they can still see all the flights by paying an annual fee of just 12 Euros on top of the one time payment of 25 Euros for the licence.

Things have changed a lot since 2010 C24 but if you are happy seeing some of the flights on a web page , then that's fine.
I think its a generational thing , many PP users are also "HAMS" , whereas more recently folk have tended to want everything with zero effort.

[100arw]

Unfortunately Teamviewer banned me a while back claiming I was using their services for commercial purposes , which of course I am not

It would appear that was a general thing at the time. If you contact them via the email that informed you, and say you are not commercial, they unblock you.
P.

[zero_gravity]

Thanks P.

I did appeal at the time but to no avail.

I'll have another go.

Always happy to help any aviation fans get set up , especially those who have tried but failed in the past.