[Scan-DC] PAX Air Expo 2003

[Steve Paulson]

Here's a show report for those who may be attending the show on Sunday (and
whoever else is interested):

--ACTIVE FREQS--
Freq Description
120.050 Approach/Departure
121.000 Approach/Departure
123.150 PA Talk-thru
123.700 Tower
126.200 (brief chatter - listed as Webster Field?)
127.950 Approach/Departure
132.550 Washington Center Freq for PAX Area
133.900 Washington Center Freq for PAX Area
135.025 VHF AirBoss
135.200 Clearance Delivery (w/384.4)
138.975 Airfield Ops
164.900 USN Blue Angels Comm Cart / tower
170.900 USN Blue Angels chitchat and checks pre-/post-show
238.150 USN Blue Angels Diamond
250.300 Approach/Departure Button 7
263.350 USN Blue Angels Fat Albert C-130
275.350 USN Blue Angels
281.400 Washington Center Freq for PAX Area
281.800 Approach/Departure
318.800 Approach/Departure
314.000 Approach/Departure
336.400 Ground
344.400 Tower
345.900 USN Blue Angels Solos
356.200 PMSV (WX)
362.600 GCA
387.900 UHF Airboss

F-117A fly-by callsign STEALTH 81 started out on Potomac Approach /
Washington Center 281.4 -> 281.8 PAX App -> 250.3 -> 362.6 -> 344.4
He departed the area to Pope AFB via "Swabby, then Hopewell"

PAX Approach was simulcasting over 120.05, 121.0, 250.3, 281.8, and 314.0
(and probably 318.8 but I didn't find that freq 'til later).

Two MD ANG A-10s arrived late (static displays) using callsigns RAVEN 1 and
RAVEN 2.

Dale Snodgrass flew the F-86 under the callsign "Greyhawk 1" on the PA
talk-thru freq of 123.15 (but making sure he would only be talking with the
announcer, not actually through the PA system).

The Blue Angels used the following frequencies: 164.9 (commcart), 170.9
(pre-show chatter and checks), 238.15 (diamond), 263.35 (Fat Al), 275.35
(initial diamond), and 345.9 (solos).  This set of frequencies has been the
only active ones I've been able to confirm in the past several seasons.  The
Fat Al crew sang their "Mary Moon" tag line again.  While recovering from
the Fortus, one solo dipped noticeably.  He then stated that he had flown
through the jetwash of the other jet (info like this is the extra dimension
of the airshow experience that scanners make accessible).

The static displays were sparse compared with the Andrews show but I was
impressed to see a pair of Ospreys and the X-35C mock-up.  Other examples
include: F/A-18B, F/A-18C, F/A-18F, P-3, C-130, T-2C, T-38, Cobras, and
Hueys.  I was interested in the USNTPS paint schemes.

The weather was iffy most of the day but they're hoping for better tomorrow.
I'm planning to return to the show to take more pics and make use of the
freqs I was able to gather today.  A crew member of a performing team shared
the AirBoss freqs with me and I let him use my Pro-60 while the Blues flew.

Several acts did not fly due to the weather and the only thing that happened
on schedule were the Blues (of course).  If the weather cooperates I'll get
to see the full show tomorrow.  The Neptune Airshow at Oceana, however, is
the best I've seen yet.

--Steve