Virgin formation flight

[Mach 80]

Just curious of anyone knows if the Virgin flight that did some formation flying with Branson's spaceship near SFO got some sort of special permission from the FAA to do so. I think it was a routine passenger flight but perhaps Virgin made arrangements with the FAA for a special charter, if not, I would think someone might be in trouble.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

They were probably both just landing on the 28's .

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Flight was was in 2012. Nobody got in trouble. Have you ever flown the visual approaches into the 28s in SFO? We do this all the time, as well as side by side takeoffs on the 1s. Look at the airport layout to understand why.

 

[waveflyer]

This video is from 2011, but it's really not 28's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZj7LB1ilnY

 

[Mach 80]

Yeah....that's the one. Certainly too far out to be doing the SFO 28 thing at that point. I'm fairly convinced it was a specially arranged thing with the FAA's blessing. Didn't know it was a couple years ago.

 

[C-150ETOPS]

This video is from 2011, but it's really not 28's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZj7LB1ilnY

Wow, really cool.

Love the view from the back.

However, if that vid was some ad hoc move on a normal schedule revenue flight, I would have approved a summary execution post deplaning.

 

[humveedriver]

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/20...cs-spaceship-launcher-circles-bay-area-skies/

Doesn't speak to the FAA waiver but obviously part of the same publicity campaign.

 

[atr42flyer]

it was a VIP charter flight filled well VIP's and press. It was not a scheduled 121 flight.

 

[waveflyer]

Any truth to the rumor that Virgin America promised that one of their pilots would be crew on the space plane?

 

[BORG]

Any truth to the rumor that Virgin America promised that one of their pilots would be crew on the space plane?

From 2008:
https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/a...galactic-launch-race-for-space-pilot-exchange

"The companies also announced their intent to institute a pilot exchange, under which select Virgin America pilots will enter Virgin Galactic's rigorous training program."

 

[waveflyer]

Talk about hanging a carrot out there

 

[Flyer1015]

From 2008:
https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/a...galactic-launch-race-for-space-pilot-exchange

"The companies also announced their intent to institute a pilot exchange, under which select Virgin America pilots will enter Virgin Galactic's rigorous training program."

LOL! I missed that little gem. Who exactly would be selected? Ex-military test pilots? How do you deem one civilian pilot better than another for Virgin Galactic, unless they have some type of military experimental/test experience?

As for the flyby yes it was arranged beforehand.

 

[Sleepyhead]

I am good friends with the pilot that flew WhiteKightTwo on that formation flight.
It was a well planned flight, with FAA blessing. It was arranged for PR when VG opened their terminal at SFO. They parked WK2 and SS2 by the VG gates an there was a big party for VIPs. Virgin is all about big PR events.
If you look close in the video, you will see a Baron behind WK2, it was shooting video from the opposite angle so they had shots with the VG plane in the shot. That is what they really wanted out of this flight. There are also photos of them flying over the Golden Gate.

As far as VG pilots flying for Virgin Galactic, well that was a bunch of PR too.There was an article back in 2008 or 9 that said they would recruit pilots from VX and Virgin Atlantic. They even interviewed the CP and head of training at VX and they said they were going to do it.
In reality, there are currently only 4 pilots at VG.
CP is a former British Test pilot and flew with Red Arrows. Other 3 are, former Shuttle pilot, ex U2 pilot and Air Force test pilot. So unless you got that kind of background, keep dreaming.

 

[C-150ETOPS]

It was a well planned flight, with FAA blessing.

Thanks, that would have been my guess. Nice view and good to see a company having some fun.

 

[Nindiri]

VA would like to buy some additional spacecraft, but it depends on whether the VA pilots will accept a "small" paycut.

 

[Sleepyhead]

Just to be clear VA has nothing to do with Virgin Galactic. But then again, Sir Richard is burning through money with no chance of turning a profit, so maybe he needs some pay cuts in his other companies to pay for his toys.