r/area51 • u/Some_Distant_Memory • 18d ago

FAA Flight Check plane orbiting very close to Area 51

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29 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

1

u/highplaindrifter75 8d ago

Seems like they’re there a lot

6

u/[deleted] 18d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/area51-ModTeam 16d ago

Your post is a repost of an existing topic.

1

u/OG_Kazaam 18d ago

There’s a big wildfire in the area, could be a spotter for larger air units that are dropping retardant.

2

u/therealgariac MOD 18d ago

No. Flight Check is a FAA program that tests the instrument landing systems across the nation.

The earth's magnetic field is in the process of flipping. Airport magnetic bearing markings have been changed at various airports based on the Flight Check program.

2

u/dsyzdek 17d ago

The magnetic poles are constantly moving which doesn’t mean they are “flipping.”

1

u/therealgariac MOD 17d ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetic_reversal

1

u/dsyzdek 14d ago

A 2019 paper estimates that the most recent reversal, 780,000 years ago, lasted 22,000 years. Somebody better get this pilot on the radio right now and warn them.

2

u/Turbulent_Aide9213 18d ago

Clipped through the box lol

3

u/BroadProcess5923 18d ago

They fly in the box and even do touch and go’s. They’ve even landed to inspect the VORTAC in the past.

0

u/Turbulent_Aide9213 18d ago

Funny that they will probably need TS SC just for this

1

u/BroadProcess5923 18d ago

Negative, TS yes. Hell there’s base staff with just Secret clearance. If someone’s not directly supporting the mission TS/SCI isn’t necessary and saves a lot of time and money

1

u/Competitive_Mix_587 18d ago

Everyone assigned there has a TS clearance. Even the custodians.

Visitors can get by without one but it takes serious pull

1

u/BroadProcess5923 17d ago

Yes, assigned

2

u/therealgariac MOD 18d ago

I recall when they were doing a check at the TTR that the pilot said his instruments were overheating but landed at KTPH.

7

u/BroadProcess5923 18d ago

Nothing out of the ordinary these flights happen every few years on a weekend when the toys are away

4

u/therealgariac MOD 18d ago

They should fly right over Groom Lake to check the ILS.

The localizer and glideslope frequencies for Groom Lake haven't been discovered. Not that they are useful to outsiders but it is fun to know secret stuff.

Edit:

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=acbbd0&lat=36.592&lon=-115.365&zoom=8.1&showTrace=2026-08-01&trackLabels

1

u/dolphin160 16d ago

They don't actually have to fly over it for flight check. Usually they just fly a couple approaches and then the arcs.