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Low Pass at the Space Shuttle Landing Facility - Shuttle below my RV-9A

tc1234c

Well Known Member
A month ago when Gary Baker and his wife Mary came to visit we went to VAC Warbird Museum for breakfast then we did a formation low pass over the shuttle runway. The passenger (Marco Pretoriani) in the lead Bonanza took the following photo. The space shuttle is a mock-up that used to be at the visitor center.

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Here is a video my wife shot (we moved out to take photo of the flight before moving back to position. The video was shot while we were moving back.) The photo was shot while this video clip was taken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKFHzgSVY5c
 
I want a shot like this. Here in NYC our Shuttle is in the hangar on top of a ship. :)
 
Awesome still shot!!

What's the procedure for doing the pass?

Shuttle Landing Facility is a class D airport when the tower is open. It usually open 8-5, M-F. When the tower is closed, it is class G. Of course, when there is a rocket launch the airport is closed by TFR. Don't fly pass the east edge of the runway since it is part of the R2932 restricted airspace.

If the tower is open, call 128.55 (NASA Tower) before entering class D. Otherwise, just treat it as an uncontrolled airport. Announce on 128.55 "NASA traffic". Tower usually clear you to 100' if there is no vehicle on the runway, else, 500'. They suggest that you don't go down below 500' when tower is closed, since there is no one to tell you whether there is any vehicle on the runway. Touch down is not allowed without prior approval. The tower handles very light traffic. They always very friendly and welcoming.
 
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