Pope in a Plane

[bluesky74656]

I was reading a news article that said the Pope would be landing at Andrew's Air Force Base at 4:00 today. The clock said 3:55, so I headed over to flightaware.com to see if I could catch the approach. Check out the screenshot.

It looks like Benedict XVI got to ride an Alitalia 777-200 for 9 hours 33 minutes from Fiumicino to Andrew's.

I looked for an KADW LiveATC feed, but got nothing.

Edit: Found this blog with more details on the interior layout of the plane:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2008/04/a-few-details-about-the-papal-plane/

 

[ScottM]

I wonder if G-d was his co-pilot?

I really wonder if he has a special Alitalia charter configuration or is it just one of the ones off the line?

 

[bluesky74656]

I wonder if G-d was his co-pilot?

I really wonder if he has a special Alitalia charter configuration or is it just one of the ones off the line?

See the edit to the original post.

 

[ScottM]

See the edit to the original post.

That is interesting. Now I wonder do they set that up each time he flies?

 

[Pilawt]

Gee, I imagined him flying in something more reminiscent of the "Popemobile" -- maybe one of these?

 

[tonycondon]

I wonder if G-d was his co-pilot?

ROFLMAO!!!

 

[mikea]

Gee, I imagined him flying in something more reminiscent of the "Popemobile" -- maybe one of these?

The (or "a") Popemobile was already here. I heard that the US Secret Service practiced driving it ....and wearing robes. (Really!)

 

[ScottM]

The (or "a") Popemobile was already here. I heard that the US Secret Service practiced driving it ....and wearing robes. (Really!)

Hmm did the Pope not bring the Swiss Guards?

 

[wsuffa]

Went out for my daily walk at lunch which normally takes me down Conn. Ave, across K to Washington Circle, up 23rd or 24th, then across P back to Connecticut.

As it happened today, the Popemobile was crossing Washington Circle about the time I got there. Aside from the throngs of people along Pennsy Ave, there were hundreds of protesters (welcome to Washington).

Didn't add much time to my walk, but oh, I'm really glad I wasn't out driving in the area today.....

 

[Skip Miller]

It looks like Benedict XVI got to ride an Alitalia 777-200 for 9 hours 33 minutes from Fiumicino to Andrew's.

If you hear ATC calling Shepherd One, the flying popemobile is in the air!

-Skip

 

[alorio1]

I wonder if G-d was his co-pilot?

That must be the reason for jumping out and kissing the ground when he lands.

 

[Anthony]

I just heard some Papal trivia. The Pope is a pilot and flies his own helicopter to places like his summer home in Italy. He posseses a pilot's license but no driver's license. Cool!