MSP Airport / Metropolitan Airports Commission

[emcee squared]

I'd wager 17/35 because it is close to the cargo areas, but 30L/12R is the only 200' wide runway so it could land there and just roll down the runway instead of using taxiways. Landing weight also plays a huge factor on the length of runway needed.

[commissioner]

4/22 would make more sense especially considering it's an 11,000 foot long runway and they usually use that for the heaviest aircraft.

[twincitizen]

Anyone know why this one-of-a-kind cargo plane is landing here? Same day as Air Force One no less. Fair to assume that's never happened before?

[mattaudio]

It's been here at least one other time. Usually a refueling stopover for big cargo hauls.

[mulad]

There are some videos from its last visit on March 12, 2012:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... ov+225+msp

I think this will miss Air Force One by a day -- the president leaves tomorrow, while the An-225 comes Saturday, right?

[at40man]

Doesn't Air Force One usually fly into the Saint Paul airport? Could've sworn I remember seeing it fly in there back when I lived in Galtier, followed by a motorcade (this was during the RNC convention).

[mulad]

Really? 'cuz Bush didn't attend the 2008 convention... (or maybe I'm misinterpreting the statement)

[commissioner]

Air Force One usually flies into MSP, and Bush stayed in DC due to a hurricane in the Gulf during the RNC. Besides the St Paul airport has restriction on bigger aircraft flying in. although I did see 2 C130s there a couple days after the convention.

[Silophant]

I don't remember where I saw it, but right now, the St. Paul airport's main runway is shortened due to the temporary floodwall. So, even if Air Force One can normally land there, it might not be able to right now.

[commissioner]

The longest runway at St Paul is just under 6500 feet which makes it impossible for anything bigger than a 737 to land there. Usually they use the 747s for Air Force One.

[fehler]

This article says the An-255 is in Edmonton making a delivery 7:00am Friday, refuling, and leaving 10:00pm. No word on the destination, but I find it hard to believe MSP is on the itinerary. http://www.inews880.com/2014/06/26/anto ... y-morning/

[at40man]

My memory is admittedly fuzzy, I enjoyed my view from the Galtier Towers, and kind of miss it! I remember watching a motorcade proceed from there and plenty of fancy planes landing there back in 2008. Never thought I would have the chance to fly in or out from that airport myself, but have now had the opportunity to do so about dozen times due to a special work project earlier this year. Using that airport really felt like a step back in time -- in the best possible way!

[mattaudio]

Might have been the Caribou Barbie arriving on a private jet and a motorcade to the convention. She was announced as McCain's running mate a day or two before the convention.

[mulad]

My memory is admittedly fuzzy, I enjoyed my view from the Galtier Towers, and kind of miss it! I remember watching a motorcade proceed from there and plenty of fancy planes landing there back in 2008. Never thought I would have the chance to fly in or out from that airport myself, but have now had the opportunity to do so about dozen times due to a special work project earlier this year. Using that airport really felt like a step back in time -- in the best possible way!

No problem -- I'm sure you saw something. McCain's plane probably looked a lot like Air Force One from a distance: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Boeing-7 ... 1368685/M/

[holmstar]

Usually they use the 747s for Air Force One.

"Usually", because "Air Force One" is actually the call-sign of whatever aircraft is carrying the president, not the name of the aircraft itself. The familiar 747s used since 1990 are specially modified and are known as "VC-25A"s.

I saw it yesterday evening parked at the air base when I landed.

[Viktor Vaughn]

Air Force One usually flies into MSP, and Bush stayed in DC due to a hurricane in the Gulf during the RNC.

Yeah, if it wasn't the hurricane, Bush would've stayed away for some other reason. The GOP was really trying to distance themselves from the president by that time. And really, W has been in hiding ever since.

Yep, and big planes...

[commissioner]

Usually they use the 747s for Air Force One.

"Usually", because "Air Force One" is actually the call-sign of whatever aircraft is carrying the president, not the name of the aircraft itself. The familiar 747s used since 1990 are specially modified and are known as "VC-25A"s.

I saw it yesterday evening parked at the air base when I landed.

Fair point

[mattaudio]

https://plus.google.com/app/basic/photo ... 4259638913

[exiled_antipodean]

The longest runway at St Paul is just under 6500 feet which makes it impossible for anything bigger than a 737 to land there. Usually they use the 747s for Air Force One.

Not quite true. Given prevailing winds (northwest) you could land a widebody at regular landing weight at Holman Field, including AF1, if you had to get it down.

The bigger constraint at Holman is take-offs. But 757s regularly use John Wayne Airport which has a 5700 foot runway, so pretty sure they could use Holman.

6500 feet is also plenty of runway for a lightly loaded 747, 767, or 777 to get airborne on. Not the safest conditions, but regularly done at (non-random example that I know a lot about) Wellington Airport.

But given prevailing winds Holman would be a tricky takeoff because of elevation at the end of the runway. You'd probably need to take off downwind which would increase runway length needed.

Apron and taxiway issues might also be tricky for a widebody at Holman.

Bottom line: You could land a widebody at Holman, but getting it out of there would be a lot harder.

[maxbaby]

Antonov-225 arriving today at 12:43pm from Edmonton.