Funny Looking SEATAC Plane
Oct 2, 2008, 10:03 am
#1
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Funny Looking SEATAC Plane
On 9/30 taxing north from SEA to ORD there was a funny looking tri-jet plane marked with Seattle Tacoma Airport hanging out by the Alaska Airlines cargo area. Wings folded up. Anyone know anything about this plane or its purpose?
Thanks
Thanks
Oct 2, 2008, 10:10 am
#2
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I wonder if what you saw was the aircraft-esque looking vehicle that's predominantly white, with some green on it? I believe that's a airport firefighting training platform.
I wish I could find a photo of it.
I wish I could find a photo of it.
Oct 2, 2008, 11:21 am
#3
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Yep, I have seen it out on a taxiway or over by the cargo area, with the stubby little tail and "sawed off" wings. I, too, have always wondered what the heck it is used for.
If you look up SEA on google maps, and then go to the "satellite" tab, and zoom in to the northeast end of the airport (cargo area) near Perimeter road/Air Cargo Road and 518, you can see it. It's not a particularly new aerial shot since the third runway is still obviously under construction.
If you look up SEA on google maps, and then go to the "satellite" tab, and zoom in to the northeast end of the airport (cargo area) near Perimeter road/Air Cargo Road and 518, you can see it. It's not a particularly new aerial shot since the third runway is still obviously under construction.
Oct 2, 2008, 7:50 pm
#4
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Thanks for the info though. Sounds like it does not fly anymore, too bad, it would be a sight to see.
Anybody know the make/model of it?
Oct 2, 2008, 8:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Yeah, it's the firefighter training plane 
. You hear pilots asking ATC what it is occasionally.
Here's a picture I found on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartjunco/331183916/
. You hear pilots asking ATC what it is occasionally.Here's a picture I found on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartjunco/331183916/
Last edited by AlaskaSoCal; Oct 2, 2008 at 8:58 pm Reason: link added
Oct 2, 2008, 10:19 pm
#6
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Yeah, it's the firefighter training plane . You hear pilots asking ATC what it is occasionally.
Here's a picture I found on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartjunco/331183916/
. You hear pilots asking ATC what it is occasionally.Here's a picture I found on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartjunco/331183916/
Oct 2, 2008, 11:31 pm
#7
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I know that there is a fake plane at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. It has ports that spray fuel out so they can light it on fire and then put it out. If you use the coords N48 20.058 W122 41.168 on Google Earth or something similar you will see it.
Oct 3, 2008, 7:40 am
#8
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I've seen them at other locations. My guess is that this plane never flew, and is designed specifically for training. It does look like bits and bobs from various types. Maybe those are the folding wings that Boeing developed for the 777 because Bob Crandall didn't think it would fit at gates.
Oct 3, 2008, 10:43 am
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Oct 4, 2008, 12:50 am
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Here are picks of it during the Seatac wheels rolling drill in july:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/photos...ter%20Drill%20
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/photos...ter%20Drill%20