Low flying plane in Austin today, all white, no windows. (images)

Hello,

A friend of mine saw a large white plane with no windows flying very low over Austin today. I believe his office is on the east side. He said it flew over at least 20 times. My first thought was a drone, but he said it's the size of a 747.

He snapped a couple of pics and I zoomed in on them.

I'm wondering if someone here knows anything about this type of plane and why it would be flying so low and so frequently. I bet someone here knows.... Thanks!

That's a military plane. That "bump" on the top is part of some kind of EW/radar setup. I'm sure Zaph knows exactly which kind of plane it is, and what kind of stuff they do.

Looks to be an AWACS craft, but the dish seems too close to the plane.

reply to post by raedar


It's an E-6B Mercury on a training flight.

reply to post by TNMockingbird


You deleted your comment, but yes some witnesses reported that but I haven't researched it specifically.

Neeevermind...

reply to post by Zaphod58


Wow, that was fast! Thank you! I have updated my friends fb post with this info so that the good people of Austin can go back to chill.

reply to post by MystikMushroom


The bump is part of the communications system. It covers the antenna.

reply to post by raedar


I've worked a few that were transiting through back when I was a ramp rat. They're unmistakable for any other aircraft.

That's a Boeing E-6B, a flying command center for the "Looking Glass" program during the cold war.
www.stratcom.mil...
Sounds like he was practicing approaches at your friendly local airport.

reply to post by raedar

It is probably getting in shape after storage since Iraq war.
The bad news is it getting ready for WW3...

reply to post by Granite


They've never been in storage. The E-6 fleet flies every day, and has since they went active many years ago.

SIGN of the times.. get used to it, people!

Probably not such a smart idea having your smart phone switched on when its flying around.

reply to post by gardener


The military has been using civilian airports for training since the 1970s or earlier, but suddenly it's "the sign of the times".

reply to post by Bellor


And why would that be?

gardener
SIGN of the times.. get used to it, people!

OH, OK! An E-6B, which is a Boeing 707 that has been flying daily since, umm, 1989, is seen by someone landing of, at all places, an airport, and you call it a "sign of the times" and suggest we "get used to it" ??

Given the age of the B-52 I guess it's not quite ready for the scrap heap, but I think we're already "used to it."

reply to post by raedar


Cool... wag1 peeps that zaph guy knows His shizzle dun e why not use smart phone???

Zaphod58
reply to post by gardener

 

The military has been using civilian airports for training since the 1970s or earlier, but suddenly it's "the sign of the times".

Of course it is - he's never seen it before therefore it can only be a conspiracy!

Come on - this is ATS...get with the programme!!