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Related: About this forumThat's a lotta circles
That's a lotta circles
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That's a lotta circles (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
Jun 2020
OP
My guess is that its an FBI plane. They operate a Cessna out of Manassas. I see it all the time.
mahatmakanejeeves
Jun 2020
#3
Coleman
(853 posts)1. Green one looks like an A10
but they usually run in pairs. The yellow one is a U2.
IronLionZion
(45,426 posts)2. And DUers thought the Blue Angels flyovers were wasting tax dollars
fuel is cheap these days
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,393 posts)3. My guess is that its an FBI plane. They operate a Cessna out of Manassas. I see it all the time.
I think it's a Cessna 172. From five years ago:
You can see the route the plane takes approaching DC. It's coming from the southwest, which is the way a plane would approach DC from Manassas.
Report: FBI surveillance behind many low-flying mystery planes
Jun 2, 2015
This single-engine Cessna photographed above Manassas by the Associated press is registered through a fictitious company in Bristow.
Screen shot from Associated Press video
The FBI is conducting surveillance with low-flying aircraft over the U.S. and has at least one plane registered in Bristow for that purpose, according to an investigative report published by the Associated Press.
{snip}
Jun 2, 2015
This single-engine Cessna photographed above Manassas by the Associated press is registered through a fictitious company in Bristow.
Screen shot from Associated Press video
The FBI is conducting surveillance with low-flying aircraft over the U.S. and has at least one plane registered in Bristow for that purpose, according to an investigative report published by the Associated Press.
{snip}
I see Inside Nova airbrushed out the tail number. So let's get a better look at that. You might have to cut and past the link. The tail number is N539MY.
FBI behind mysterious surveillance aircraft over US cities
By Jack Gillum, Eileen Sullivan and Eric Tucker Associated Press,June 3, 2015, 12:24 p.m.
This small plane flying near Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Va., is among a fleet of surveillance aircraft by the FBI.ANDREW HARNIK/AP
WASHINGTON Scores of low-flying planes circling American cities are part of a civilian air force operated by the FBI and obscured behind fictitious companies, The Associated Press has learned.
The AP traced at least 50 aircraft back to the FBI, and identified more than 100 flights in 11 states over a 30-day period since late April, orbiting both major cities and rural areas. At least 115 planes, including 90 Cessna aircraft, were mentioned in a federal budget document from 2009.
For decades, the planes have provided support to FBI surveillance operations on the ground. But now the aircraft are equipped with high-tech cameras, and in rare circumstances, technology capable of tracking thousands of cellphones, raising questions about how these surveillance flights affect Americans privacy.
Read full article
By Jack Gillum, Eileen Sullivan and Eric Tucker Associated Press,June 3, 2015, 12:24 p.m.
This small plane flying near Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Va., is among a fleet of surveillance aircraft by the FBI.ANDREW HARNIK/AP
WASHINGTON Scores of low-flying planes circling American cities are part of a civilian air force operated by the FBI and obscured behind fictitious companies, The Associated Press has learned.
The AP traced at least 50 aircraft back to the FBI, and identified more than 100 flights in 11 states over a 30-day period since late April, orbiting both major cities and rural areas. At least 115 planes, including 90 Cessna aircraft, were mentioned in a federal budget document from 2009.
For decades, the planes have provided support to FBI surveillance operations on the ground. But now the aircraft are equipped with high-tech cameras, and in rare circumstances, technology capable of tracking thousands of cellphones, raising questions about how these surveillance flights affect Americans privacy.
Read full article
Well, that doesn't work. One more time:
The FBI is operating a small air force to spy on Americans
Jack Gillum, Eileen Sullivan and Eric Tucker, Associated Press Jun 2, 2015, 5:38 AM
https://i.insider.com/556d75c3ecad049844b23d03?width=500&format=jpeg
In this photo taken May 26, 2015, a small plane flies near Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Va. The plane is among a fleet of surveillance aircraft by the FBI, which are primarily used to target suspects under federal investigation. Such planes are capable of taking video of the ground, and some - in rare occasions - can sweep up certain identifying cellphone data. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
WASHINGTON (AP) The FBI is operating a small air force with scores of low-flying planes across the country carrying video and, at times, cellphone surveillance technology all hidden behind fictitious companies that are fronts for the government, The Associated Press has learned.
The planes' surveillance equipment is generally used without a judge's approval, and the FBI said the flights are used for specific, ongoing investigations. In a recent 30-day period, the agency flew above more than 30 cities in 11 states across the country, an AP review found.
{snip}
Jack Gillum, Eileen Sullivan and Eric Tucker, Associated Press Jun 2, 2015, 5:38 AM
https://i.insider.com/556d75c3ecad049844b23d03?width=500&format=jpeg
In this photo taken May 26, 2015, a small plane flies near Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Va. The plane is among a fleet of surveillance aircraft by the FBI, which are primarily used to target suspects under federal investigation. Such planes are capable of taking video of the ground, and some - in rare occasions - can sweep up certain identifying cellphone data. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
WASHINGTON (AP) The FBI is operating a small air force with scores of low-flying planes across the country carrying video and, at times, cellphone surveillance technology all hidden behind fictitious companies that are fronts for the government, The Associated Press has learned.
The planes' surveillance equipment is generally used without a judge's approval, and the FBI said the flights are used for specific, ongoing investigations. In a recent 30-day period, the agency flew above more than 30 cities in 11 states across the country, an AP review found.
{snip}
Per FlightAware, that's retired. They have another one now. Whatever the number is, it starts out in Manassas.
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KHEF