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Airline / Aircraft Location and Date Photographer
USA - Air Force
Boeing KC-135 R Stratotanker
 Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh International (PIT/KPIT)
USA - Pennsylvania, December 5, 2010		 Corey Betke
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Registration/Serial No. | Remarks & Notes
59-1468 (cn 17956) Through the blizzard, this was a surprise as they usually operate on the weekdays. Called in as Reach 9468 heavy, was expecting a C-5 or 17 as the KC's here usually go out as "Steel".


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Harry Gaydosz December 11, 2010 at 08:28PM Rating: 10
It's nice you're able to pick states now instead of regions.

all4golf December 11, 2010 at 08:24PM Rating: 10
Indeed they got it a few years ago I think now, it was also fun watching the Thunderbirds practice on it. Just finished up there and am graduating this month so hopefully I get picked up by the FAA soon. Probably going to bid on Ohio and Arizona, basically complete opposites but still not sure yet. Don't want to get stuck at Cleveland Center if I pick Ohio :D

Harry Gaydosz December 11, 2010 at 08:07PM Rating: 10
The Ethyl flights I think climb out the NE radials of EWC, similar to PIT departures to the NE like to BOS.

I think I saw before you're going to school at BVI for ATC. I keep forgetting that BVI has a STARS display!

all4golf December 11, 2010 at 04:39PM Rating: 10
Did not know that, thanks for the info.

I'm don't get down to PIT too often and I always see them tagged up as Steel on a scope. They probably dart east when they use Ethyl so that's why I've never heard that one.

Harry Gaydosz December 11, 2010 at 09:12AM Rating: 10
The "Reach" callsign is used by aircraft on a Air Mobility Command (AMC) mission. Even civilian aircraft on an AMC contract mission may use a "Reach" callsign.

Aside from "Steel", another common callsign you may hear used by the 171st is "Ethyl" which is used for missions refueling aircraft along the Atlantic coast, topping them off prior to crossing the ocean.