United Airlines
‘ Boeing 777-300ER, registered as N2352U, achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the world’s most-tracked aircraft on Friday during the San Francisco Fleet Week.
4-year-old aircraft becomes a celebrity
According to data from popular flight-tracking website Flightradar24, as it made a ceremonial flyover at the city’s famous festival, the four-year-old aircraft was tracked by more than 2,600 individuals at the same time.
Over the weekend, the 777-300ER
—mostly used for long-haul commercial flights—became a surprising celebrity. Flightradar24 stated that the aircraft’s monitoring activity exceeded all other flights. This particular aircraft was delivered to United in March 2020.
The airline, which is a sponsor of the air show, formerly flew the iconic Boeing 747
during the event for years. After retiring that aircraft, pilots now fly the largest jet in the airline’s fleet, the 777-300ER.
SF Fleet Week this year
San Francisco Fleet Week, an annual event since 1981, is renowned for its aerial performances, naval ship tours, and community events, celebrating the US Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. From October 7th through the 14th, a stunning aerial performance involving the Blue Angels, the US Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team, and much more took place along the San Francisco Bay between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
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United 777 Captain Ty Loutzenheiser, told SFGATE that these pilots, including him, specifically only do flight test events; “we don’t carry passengers.”
According to Loutzenheiser, the team departs from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
on the air show day. It flies in loops over the Pacific Ocean to the west of the Golden Gate Bridge until it is time for its performance.
“We’re doing our first pass at about 300 knots, which is about 330 miles per hour, and we descend to about 300 feet.”
After finishing their first pass, they recirculate over the lake until their second performance, often in the early afternoon. After their second concert, they returned to SFO, having flown for over four hours.
Photo: US Navy | Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob I. Allison
The fog makes it more special
San Francisco Fleet Week is known for its spectacular air shows featuring military jets and precision flying, but it also faces challenges from the city’s notorious fog. A pilot explained that during clear weather, planes can reach speeds of up to 300 knots during some of the faster passes. Specifically, when coming down over the Golden Gate Bridge, they typically fly at around 240 miles per hour, which is just over 200 knots. The demonstration included a combination of high-speed passes and slower maneuvers with the landing gear down.
Photo: US Navy | Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob I. Allison
If the fog is 2,000 feet above the water, pilots must switch to a “low show” or “bad weather show,” where a series of shortened maneuvers are performed. These typically include four passes at lower altitudes, showcasing the pilots’ skills despite the limited visibility. Although spectators might feel that the planes are flying dangerously low, strict guidelines ensure safety. Aircraft must maintain at least 300 feet of altitude above the ground, with an ideal buffer of 350 feet.