Message posted by Joerg (Webmaster) on April 05, 2020 at 18:26:15 PST:
Let's see if we can sort this out. #1: The aircraft is a Cessna 150F, but flies higher than the listed ceiling. The pilot may be using an oxygen mask. I don't know if there is another technical limit for the 14,000ft ceiling of the aircraft. The engine may be modified. Anyone familiar with the aircraft? A defect in the altitude sensor or the ADS-B module is also possible, although rare. #2: It is possible, especially in the current situation, that FAA has not updated the record and the aircraft was indeed sold to the Edwards Aero Club. #3 and #4: Confirmed and agreed. So far this would be mildly interesting at best. Where it gets really interesting is the flight deep into the 60's ranges and to within 9NM of Groom last weekend. This weekend the aircraft was flying right along the edge of the "box", the Area 51 air space. When Frank and I did a similar flight years ago (it is somewhere in the trip reports section) we were not anywhere near as close to the box. Still, we were reminded in very clear terms by Nellis control not to get closer to the restricted air space. So, whoever was flying last weekend and this weekend must be assumed to be authorized in that air space. Especially given the connection to Edwards AFB. A familiarization flight as suggested in another post would be a good possibility.
In Reply to: So... what have we learned about our friends in N8077S? posted by Peter on April 05, 2020 at 17:02:54 PST:
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