Upcoming U.N. VIP Week

[apjwright]

A couple of YYZ based spotters are planning a trip down for the UN traffic and are hoping to get some good advice so we can plan accordingly.

We're planning on arriving on Friday evening, September 12th and then dedicating the entire weekend thru Monday evening to chasing biz, liners, VIP's, etc.

Any insight into the following would be greatly appreciated:

- Is our plan of spending Sat thru Monday chasing this stuff the best days?

More specifically,
- It is my understanding that most of the government "heavies" go into JFK. Is this the case? When do they typically start arriving?
- What can you offer about the process for dropping at JFK and then re-positioning to Stewart AFB?
- Does any traffic go into TEB? When?
- Any other fields get traffic related to the UN VIP week? Which? when?
- What is the best hotel at JFK? We will have SBS equipment ...
- How is the mood, etc. of security/police during this time-frame?

Thanks,
Tony

[Iberia A340-600]

I'm not quite sure of the time frame for the General Assembly this year but last year aircraft did not start arriving until September 23rd.

[AirtrafficController]

On the UN website it states that the General Assembly will open on September 16 and the general debate will take place from September 23 to October 1st.
So according to that information, it looks like they will be arriving from September 16 to the 23rd.

[Gerard]

-> How is the mood, etc. of security/police during this time-frame?<

Let me forward your post to the FBI-NYPD JTTF and I'll get back.
:lol:

[airmale516]

its the most wonderfull time .....of the year.....(for jfk plane spotting that is)....

lookin forward to it

[Iberia A340-600]

- It is my understanding that most of the government "heavies" go into JFK. Is this the case? When do they typically start arriving?
- What can you offer about the process for dropping at JFK and then re-positioning to Stewart AFB?
- Does any traffic go into TEB? When?
- Any other fields get traffic related to the UN VIP week? Which? when?
- What is the best hotel at JFK? We will have SBS equipment ...
- How is the mood, etc. of security/police during this time-frame?


1.) A majority of the "heavy" traffic will indeed pass through JFK at the start and at the end of the assembly. The first aircraft to end up at SWF was the Twinjet A319 which flew in via EWR on either Thursday the 20th or Friday the 21st of last year. By the time I was at SWF on Sunday the 23rd a couple of BBJ's and the Cameroon 767-300 had already arrived while a large amount of stuff was arriving into JFK. So presumably a majority of the aircraft will arrive the weekend before Tuesday the 23rd.

2.) It is hard to tell when the flights will depart JFK or EWR for wherever they reposition to. It's all so up in the air. I can tell you that last year most of the aircraft were at SWF by Wednesday the 26th.

3.) I imagine more general aviation would go to TEB if it did. I know the Turkish A319 ended up at FRG last year.

4.) EWR is the other airport which gets some nice traffic. I believe they got the Ethiopia 757-200, Saudi A310, Polska TU-154, and others. Aircraft arrive at EWR around the same dates as JFK.

5.) Personally I find the Holiday Inn the best hotel to stay at in JFK. Great views of the airport.

6.) I haven't spent anytime at JFK or EWR during UN Week since I tend to focus on SWF but there were many spotters at JFK on the 23rd last year who could tell you what it was like.

[apjwright]

Thanks for the responses.

One interesting tidbit in all that was the traffic that goes to EWR - have to try and figure out how to work a visit there into the mix.

Perhaps flying in/out of EWR would do the trick nicely.

If anybody is going to be around on the 13th, 14th and 15th - it would be great to meet up.

My blackberry is [email protected] - 416.725.1713
David P's BB is [email protected] - 519.497.6150

[moose135]

Saturday, Sept. 13 is the Newark Airline Show. Probably be a bunch of NYCAers attending and a chance to do some spotting at EWR before/after the show.

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12878&hilit=newark+airline+show (http://www.nycaviation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12878&hilit=newark+airline+show)

[njgtr82]

4.) EWR is the other airport which gets some nice traffic. I believe they got the Ethiopia 757-200, Saudi A310, Polska TU-154, and others. Aircraft arrive at EWR around the same dates as JFK.



In addition to what Gordon said, some other EWR movements last year was the Malaysia Air Force A319, Phillipines A340, N777AS a private 777 flying for the Gabon Gov't, VP-BRH another 777 came a week after the bulk of VIPs, Venezuelan 737 which also hit JFK, N767A, and a few German Airforce A310s.

Bill

[Iberia A340-600]

Thanks for the responses.

One interesting tidbit in all that was the traffic that goes to EWR - have to try and figure out how to work a visit there into the mix.

Perhaps flying in/out of EWR would do the trick nicely.

If anybody is going to be around on the 13th, 14th and 15th - it would be great to meet up.

My blackberry is [email protected] - 416.725.1713
David P's BB is [email protected] - 519.497.6150

Something to take into consideration, if you can, is moving your trip to New York to the weekend after the 13th, 13th, and 15th. Last year the General Assembly ran from September 25th (a Tuesday) to October 3rd (a Wednesday). This year it will be September 23rd (a Tuesday) to October 1st (a Wednesday). Last year a majority of the aircraft arrived the weekend before the 25th so I would guess the same would happen this year. Meaning if you came the 13th, 14th, and 15th you might not get anything VIP related.

[emshighway]

-> How is the mood, etc. of security/police during this time-frame?<

Let me forward your post to the FBI-NYPD JTTF and I'll get back.
:lol:

I already did :roll:

[Chris102]

Anyone know if AF1 is going to do the JFK-SWF-JFK thing this year?

[apjwright]

Something to take into consideration, if you can, is moving your trip to New York to the weekend after the 13th, 13th, and 15th. Last year the General Assembly ran from September 25th (a Tuesday) to October 3rd (a Wednesday). This year it will be September 23rd (a Tuesday) to October 1st (a Wednesday). Last year a majority of the aircraft arrived the weekend before the 25th so I would guess the same would happen this year. Meaning if you came the 13th, 14th, and 15th you might not get anything VIP related.

Hmmm. So, now I'm confused.

What you're saying, I think, is that the VIP traffic does NOT come in for the opening (Sept 16th this year), but for the general debate (starting on the 23rd). Please confirm this to be the case.

Thanks,
Tony

[Iberia A340-600]

Something to take into consideration, if you can, is moving your trip to New York to the weekend after the 13th, 13th, and 15th. Last year the General Assembly ran from September 25th (a Tuesday) to October 3rd (a Wednesday). This year it will be September 23rd (a Tuesday) to October 1st (a Wednesday). Last year a majority of the aircraft arrived the weekend before the 25th so I would guess the same would happen this year. Meaning if you came the 13th, 14th, and 15th you might not get anything VIP related.

Hmmm. So, now I'm confused.

What you're saying, I think, is that the VIP traffic does NOT come in for the opening (Sept 16th this year), but for the general debate (starting on the 23rd). Please confirm this to be the case.

Thanks,
Tony

That is what happened last year. So I'm assuming the same will happen this year.

[runway27r]

And two years ago, this showed up way down here at PHL. This was my catch of the decade.

http://phlairline.com/091706/B4018.jpg

BTW, If the weather in decent, I 'should' be up for at least two days.

Paul

[apjwright]

Given the confusion in the "drop-off" weekend and scheduling conflicts, we're now thinking about coming down for the "pick-up/departure".
To this end, when do the VIP aircraft leave?

Thanks again for your continued help trying to get this figured out.

Regards,
Tony

[flyboy 28]

So just to confirm, we're expecting arrivals to begin around next weekend, the 20th?

[AirtrafficController]

So just to confirm, we're expecting arrivals to begin around next weekend, the 20th?

Well not really. The Assembly opens on the 16th so the VIPs will be arrving after that day but I think most will be arriving on the weekend (19th, 20th, and 21st).
Ill be out on the 20th and 21st all day at JFK.

[emshighway]

Can't confirm nor deny the POTUS exact movements but expect AF1 and USMC1 traffic around the 22nd to 24th.

[Chris102]

Can't confirm nor deny the POTUS exact movements but expect AF1 and USMC1 traffic around the 22nd to 24th.

Do the Marines ever go up to SWF, or do they usually stay in the city?

I was thinking about maybe going to see AF1 for either arrival or departure. Last year they parked at the AFB, but they surrounded it with C-5's so I really couldn't get a decent picture.

[AirtrafficController]

Update on the weather for upcoming UN weekend:
Friday: Clear skies Winds are ENE
Saturday: Clear Skies Winds are East
Sunday: Mostly Sunny Winds are SE

[flyboy 28]

Anyone heading out on Saturday? That's when I'm hoping for.

[runway27r]

I'm planning to be there Sat. & Sun. and maybe Friday if I can be convinced that UN stuff will arrive then too.

Of course all subject to the weather.

Paul

[Planesntrains]

Anybody have any specific locations in mind for the good stuff around JFK?? This rookie is highly tempted to head out for some logging if it will be as good as you all say. Wouldn't mind getting AF1, who will likely use ident SAM-2900, either.

[Delta777LR]

Im hoping to be out there on Sunday.. My budget is a bit low this week for me... Ill keep the heads up..

[lijk604]

Im hoping for at least Sat afternoon, maybe Sunday too if I buy dinner. LOL

[Chris102]

Anybody have any specific locations in mind for the good stuff around JFK?? This rookie is highly tempted to head out for some logging if it will be as good as you all say. Wouldn't mind getting AF1, who will likely use ident SAM-2900, either.

They used 82-8000 (28000) last year.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/CDolan/AF1-1.jpg

If I'm not mistaken, 28000 is the primary one now after they did some updates last year.

[JZ1]

So, the weekend is almost upon us. I am going to JFK on Sunday the 21st. Anyone else is going?

[flyboy 28]

I'll be out on Monday instead. Gotta make the trip worthwhile if I'm going to get the [supposed] Connie.

[moose135]

I should be out most of the day Sunday (may get out a little on Saturday as well, we'll see...) I'm planning to spend some time Monday as well, especially if we can catch a Connie!

[pgengler]

Looks like the pres won't be coming until Monday; the TFRs for his arrival are up for Monday starting at 1245 local.

Unfortunately, I'm busy this weekend and won't be able to make it out spotting. The weather looks great, I hope you get some good catches!

[bluejuice]

Hey guys it wont be the Connie--It will be a Lockheed Electra 12. When my sups heard Lockheed at their briefing they all thought Connie as you guys did and gave me the word. I received a call on Friday saying that I was wrong and it was to be a twin engine A/C. The schedule arrival should be on Monday. We shall see.

[flyboy 28]

It'll still be cool and a change of pace. Going to need a few extra mm though. :P

[bluejuice]

OK heres the info---Today at approx 1300 direct from Lancaster Pa the Electra be arriving and probably going overt to Hgr 81 for tomorrows festivities.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k312/shepmp/electra2.jpg

[Vidiot]

Anyone going out Monday AM? I'd love to meet up, but I'll be using public transportation as I don't have a car.