Republic Farmingdale (FRG) Notable Visitors

[Gerard]

Stopped by the Sheltair parking area on Thursday and there were two Army UH-60 Blackhawks tied down towards the back of the ramp. Was going to leave after a few minutes but then a van pulled up and the crews popped out!! Knew I had time as military crews dont just jump in and head out so I ran to the Airport Plaza for a quick errand and back. Actually it was about 40 minutes from them arriving to the copters to lift off. They departed south then a quick turn over the cemetary and out low to the NE.
There was movie/TV action over by the new Talon hangar. Looked to be all inside but lots of trucks statiioned all about the hangar, the terminal lot and the old restaurant lot.
And yesterday was sitting in my old beach chair next to my car enjoying the sunshine and having lunch when I saw a Sheltair ground crew worker slowly coming towards me talking into his radio. He came over and asked if I was waiting to pick someone up. I said nope just enjoying the sunshine. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away and that was that. Thought that was interesting as I'm there a lot and when the weather gets nicer and I have time (actually now that I am retired I have PLENTY of time) I'll pull out my chair and relax. Oh well, tally ho!!

[Speedbagel_001]

Just spotted an E-2 Hawkeye on approach to runway 19 a few minutes ago! Anybody on the field to check it out?

[Gerard]

Just spotted an E-2 Hawkeye on approach to runway 19 a few minutes ago! Anybody on the field to check it out?
Saw pictures on Facebook. According to a witness it did 4 touch and goes and departed.
Also USCG helo 6580 sat by Sheltair for awhile before leaving around 4. It was here yesterday also.
AND the AAM B-25 is back in action going airborne today day around 3:20. Circled the airport a number of times before heading out to the South. Wanted to wait for its return but had to leave. Miss Hap sat out all last year. Welcome Back.
Oh wait the airport had to close the runways for about 15 minutes around 3:30 when a small plane hit a sign at an intersection. My scanner took the opportunity to go dead and I had no back up batteries but I believe it was no harm no foul and Runway ops soon resumed!!
Thats today's Report!!:biggrin:
Retirement is fun!! :cool:

[Gerard]

Czech Air Force A319 parked on the back ramp of Atlantic Aviaton this afternoon. Nice looking livery.

[tkaminsk]

A couple of days late but the Bell 47G used in the original 1966 Batman movie was at KFRG on the morning of 17 Augusthttps://www.flickr.com/photos/34758247@N03/36739257005/in/datetaken/. It still carries the registration N3079G.

[Gerard]

A couple of days late but the Bell 47G used in the original 1966 Batman movie was at KFRG on the morning of 17 Augusthttps://www.flickr.com/photos/34758247@N03/36739257005/in/datetaken/. It still carries the registration N3079G.
Yes I saw them parked on the back ramp of Sheltair. It was here for the State Fair at Nassau Coliseum. I thought they'd be here all week but unless they parked at the Fairgrounds I never saw them again.

[Gerard]

A gaggle of DHS/CBT helicopters descended upon Republic late this afternoon. As I was driving past the Talon hangar I saw a CBT Astar parked there along with a Sikorsky S76 which I later learned was a DHS copter and another Astar flew over me landing on the ramp. About an hour or so later I was over by the mall when in the distance from the south I see a flight of 3 helicopters flying towards the airport. Got a better look with my binocs and saw it was two UH60 Blackhawks and another Astar. The Hawks shutdown on the back Atlantic ramp while the Astar joined thye other three at Talon. I'm guessing they are in town for the UN GA or there's some big Op going on lol.

[PhoenixOne]

Hey all,
Around 10:40am I heard the deep hum of a large propeller aircraft. Hobbled (bad knee..hehe) with camera phone in hand and I saw what I'm guessing was a C-130 in green and tan camo. I guess it took off from 32 and it was heading NW. I wasn't quick enough to grab some shots but got lucky when it came back around but at a bit higher Alt and took a few zoomed shots.
Here is the "best" of the bunch. Sorry for stink-oid quality. S8 camera phone at max zoom.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/feenxone/20171011_104326_zpsnulzyqkj.jpg

[Mateo]

That looks like the C-123 that lives at Beaver Falls, PA and shows up at a lot of airshows in the Northeast.

[moose135]

That looks like the C-123 that lives at Beaver Falls, PA and shows up at a lot of airshows in the Northeast.

Yes, a friend who works at FRG posted some shots on Facebook this morning.

[Gerard]

Yes, a friend who works at FRG posted some shots on Facebook this morning.

Ahhh mystery solved. I heard it around the same time flying by my house. Thought it might be one of the AAM big boys.

[PhoenixOne]

Thanks for the ID guys. I wish we had military visitors more often. I miss the days when we did.

[PhoenixOne]

This bad boy just flew in. Shook the living sh*t out of my house!
Sorry for crappy pic....camera phone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/feenxone/Screenshot_20180201-162737_zpstxqv4tvo.png

[PhoenixOne]

B29 flying around the area. Shook the house! It made 4 passes already!

[Chris S]

Yeah, FIFI did a practice flight tonight from 6 to 7PM with a new crew and they did a low approach,
a touch-n-go, and then landed on RWY 14. Tomorrow they have rides scheduled for 9AM and 10:30AM
incase you want to see it in the air again then.:cool:

[Billbo1970]

An Osprey just flew over my store here in KP. Should be at FRG by now.

[PhoenixOne]

It saddens me how quiet Republic forum has been. :frown::frown::frown::frown::frown:

[Speedbagel_001]

It saddens me how quiet Republic forum has been. :frown::frown::frown::frown::frown:

It seems that the entire website has become much less active, in general. Not sure where everybody went!

[moose135]

It seems that the entire website has become much less active, in general. Not sure where everybody went!
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram...

[wunaladreamin]

Why don't you ask Jason and Ben?

[dekdawg21]

It seems that the entire website has become much less active, in general. Not sure where everybody went!

Thinking the same thing. Usually by this point stuffs up for the airshow but every year its later and or less. A lot of the frequent posters aren't around any more from when I first joined.

[Speedbagel_001]

Thinking the same thing. Usually by this point stuffs up for the airshow but every year its later and or less. A lot of the frequent posters aren't around any more from when I first joined.

Indeed. This used to be my "go-to" site for updates on anything happening locally. And there is *always* something interesting happening around here (KFRG specifically, LI generally), and that's aside from the Airshow which tends to be the highlight of the year.

[fk6065]

Shame, this was always such a great thread.

[jerslice]

Running a volunteer site takes time and money. Matt passed away (RIP), Phil moved on to other adventures and became gradually less involved day to day. I moved on to paid work in the same lane, so did Jason. Ben does a great job, but there's a dearth of new writers and the people to manage them. A lot of the spotting community in NYC that was big at the time moved on too. I'd love to see it reinvigorated, and heck if anyone wants to get more involved the board is always looking for new additions. It can be done, but someone(s) gotta step up.

That said, NYCA remains very active on Twitter, with a large and respected following.

[jerslice]

Also, we've got the "new" photo hangar and it is woefully under-used...so sign up and start posting!

[Landing Lights]

Admin's note:

Off topic posts have been deleted. If anyone had any questions, comments, or concerns about how this site is run, please feel to reach out. PMs are open, or you can always reach me at [email protected].

[jerslice]

I can't make it clear enough to others here that personal attacks and name calling are wildly inappropriate and unbecoming of behavior allowed here.

It will result in a ban.

[PhoenixOne]

Heavy Metal just came in. Just so happened that today's weather allowed me to open a window and not 10 mins later I heard the roar. Someone chime in to correct me if im wrong but it looked like a EA-6.

[Chris S]

You are correct !! It was the Final flight of the last EA-6B Prowler from VMAQ-2 that flew up from Cherry Point.
It did a low approach at Republic to honor it's Northrop-Grumman heritage. From there, it headed down to it's
final destination at Washington-Dulles where it will eventually go on display at the Smithsonian National
Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Here's a link about the deactivation of the last USMC Prowler Squadron:

https://theaviationist.com/2019/03/08/u-s-marine-corps-deactivates-last-ea-6b-prowler-squadron/

[PhoenixOne]

Thank you Chris!
I'm so glad I was able to see it's last flight.

[Chris S]

Here's a video of it's arrival at Dulles yesterday also:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBC8mTYTww0

[Chris S]

FYI - the Phoenix Coyotes 757 (N757SS) is parked over at Sheltair right now,
but it doesn't have the Coyote logo on it's tail anymore.
It should be departing Sun. evening after their game with the Islanders in the afternoon.

BTW, it looks like they're also filming something over by the AAM and Sheltair too.
There's a bunch of catering Tents and trailers set up by Sheltair and AAM's parking lot
with some lighting equipment there too, plus a few "MMM" signs set up on New Highway
to direct the filming crew on where to go also.

[moose135]

BTW, it looks like they're also filming something over by the AAM and Sheltair too.
There's a bunch of catering Tents and trailers set up by Sheltair and AAM's parking lot
with some lighting equipment there too, plus a few "MMM" signs set up on New Highway
to direct the filming crew on where to go also.

I don't know what they are filming, but I heard the museum is going to be closed for several weeks for it.

[Speedbagel_001]

FYI - the Phoenix Coyotes 757 (N757SS) is parked over at Sheltair right now,
but it doesn't have the Coyote logo on it's tail anymore.
It should be departing Sun. evening after their game with the Islanders in the afternoon.


I was at the main terminal on Sunday and saw the 757. Had no idea who it belonged to. Thanks for the info!

[Chris S]

I don't know what they are filming, but I heard the museum is going to be closed for several weeks for it.

I'm hearing they're filming "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" show on Amazon Video that takes place in NYC in 1958.
I've never seen the show but it makes sense with all the "MMM" signs and it's time period with the AAM Hangar.

[Speedbagel_001]

Swiftair 737 (N808TJ) just departed from FRG. Would that be the Islanders jet?

[Chris S]

Swiftair 737 (N808TJ) just departed from FRG. Would that be the Islanders jet?

Sorry for the late reply, but yes, that was the Islanders charter flight to Columbus, OH, when they played the Blue Jackets.

[rkfast]

Theres been a nice 737-200 parked at Sheltair for about two weeks now, N912NB. There is also a second 737 at the new hangars.

[Speedbagel_001]

Just saw an E-2 Hawkeye on Final for KFRG, runway 19! And no trace of it on Flightradar24, either.

[Billbo1970]

Just saw an E-2 Hawkeye on Final for KFRG, runway 19! And no trace of it on Flightradar24, either.
Any idea where it's from, or what it's doing at FRG?

[Speedbagel_001]

No idea. Just happened to spot it by accident, among the other GA arrivals.

[Fighting Falcon]

Two Ospreys at Republic Airport today. I also saw/heard news of Blackhawks and Chinooks over the last six weeks or so. Supply shipments?

[rkfast]

Two Ospreys at Republic Airport today. I also saw/heard news of Blackhawks and Chinooks over the last six weeks or so. Supply shipments?

Not sure, but I saw a big ole' C-5 slow and low over Westbury today around 130.

[GeronimoDF]

Lately I have been seeing two dark blue blackhawks with a gold stripe front to back over farmingdale? Pretty sure guys are sitting in the openings…Anyone know what agency is flying them?

[PhoenixOne]

There's an, what looks like, F15 flying around Plainview/Bethpage area. Tried to get video but was too far to get a steady focused vid of it.

[RepublicAviation]

Heard it over Amityville. Checked ADS-B and saw it buzzing back towards Long Beach. Wonder what that's about.

[PhoenixOne]

Heard it over Amityville. Checked ADS-B and saw it buzzing back towards Long Beach. Wonder what that's about.

Thanks for replying. Nice that i wasnt the only one who recognizes when "heavy metal" is buzzing our area.
Miss the good 'ol days when they used to regularly stop over Republic every now and then or when the different warbirds would fly around every so often.

[RepublicAviation]

Thanks for replying. Nice that i wasnt the only one who recognizes when "heavy metal" is buzzing our area.
Miss the good 'ol days when they used to regularly stop over Republic every now and then or when the different warbirds would fly around every so often.

Agreed. I found some information on Twitter, someone posted a video of the jet following a small plane. Could be related to the UN, but seems the small plane may have invaded some kind of restricted Airspace.

https://twitter.com/WillChiarucci/status/1572615600035307524

Edit: confirmed by NBC https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/f-15-fighter-jet-intercepts-small-plane-in-restricted-nyc-airspace-norad-says/3874932/?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_NYBrand

[PhoenixOne]

Nice find!
*F15 to general aviation plane*
"Git da hell outta my restrictioned airspace!"
Betting it was some random pilot that wanted to see how long it would take for him/her to fly in restricted airspace before getting intercepted by not responding to communication. Or could of been innocent misunderstanding and didn't realize what he/she was doing. Only he/she knows.
Again, nice find and thanks!

[RobC88]

There's been a couple KC-135s and F-15s circling high above NJ/NYC/Nassau/Western Suffolk all day. Pretty cool to see. Needed to pull out the 600mm to get any kind of shot.
https://i.ibb.co/YTN47q0/IMG-7705.jpg

[PhoenixOne]

WICKED SHOT Rob! Wow! Amazing job! Thanks so much for sharing!

[RobC88]

WICKED SHOT Rob! Wow! Amazing job! Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks, unrelated to the UN activities there was also a C5 out of Dover flying relatively low over the island today as well.
https://i.ibb.co/Tv0wXQL/IMG-7739.jpg

[RepublicAviation]

Great shots! Looks like the KC-135 is still circling over NYC as of 5pm (seen on ADS-B)

[PhoenixOne]

Great shots! Looks like the KC-135 is still circling over NYC as of 5pm (seen on ADS-B)

On ADS-B, is there a way for me to filter to only see military aircraft?
Thanks.

[RepublicAviation]

On ADS-B, is there a way for me to filter to only see military aircraft?
Thanks.

There's a filters tab, I believe MLAT and Military do the trick. You have to click them and then the filter button. Fighters don't usually appear, only transports/trainers and such.

[PhoenixOne]

There's a filters tab, I believe MLAT and Military do the trick. You have to click them and then the filter button. Fighters don't usually appear, only transports/trainers and such.

Thanks! :-)

[Speedbagel_001]

Just to follow up on this: that day, I spotted an F-15 down low over eastern Nassau. Flying multiple 360s. Later on, it was reported all over the news that *someone* busted the Presidential and/or UN TFR! One F-15 came by to successfully intercept the GA aircraft. A few hours later, the same thing happened with a different plane busting the TFR! There were two F-15s on patrol that day for just this purpose.
Certainly was exciting to see since we usually don't have that kind of action here, except during an Airshow!

[Chris S]

FYI - There are 2 USMC MV-22 Ospreys from VMMT-204 parked on Atlantic's ramp right now across the street from Wendys on Rte. 109.
Not sure if they're just visting for a day or so or if they're part of the New York Fleet Week Aviation Events coming up soon??

[PhoenixOne]

Hi all. F18 just flew over my house which is in line with Republic's runway 14 approach. Couldn't see any markings because of the very low cloud cover.

[PhoenixOne]

I don't know if anyone is monitoring this thread anymore. I believe 2 military fighters just took off on runaway 1 from republic. I wasn't fast enough to get a look at what type but it was at least 2, maybe even 3 that took off. Any info would be appreciated.

[PhoenixOne]

With some googling and just plain putting 2+2 together, it most likely it was F15s that were there to do the Ryder cup flyover. Thought they were there as escorts for the President's plane but then they would of left when he left. Now that the Ryder is over, so was the F15s task, ..So they went home as well.