GEH737 Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 I've been flying for over 30 years and saw something today that I thought was pretty interesting and just thought I'd pass it on. Today I'm in my 737-800 at 34 thousand feet over central Nevada in the crystal blue sky at around 3:30pm. We're a bit Northeast of Tonopah heading towards Yosemite N.P. and onto SFO. I'm looking out to the Southwest, and something Waaaaay above our altitude is leaving a contrail like a "Bat outta Hell" towards the North. It's too far away to make out what it is, but then it made a roughly 135 degree turn back to the Southwest (and from our vantage point, looked like it was going straight down). It was so fast it was unbelievable. I've seen plenty of fighter contrails in my days in the Air Force - and plenty of Space Shuttle launches - but I've never, ever seen anything move this fast... Like I said - very interesting to see. Thoughts? Opinions? Discuss amongst yourselves... Hitch Link to post Share on other sites
Midnight Storm Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 (edited) Maybe it was a missle? I know the first time I saw a missle up close I was aw-struck. It danced across the sky effortless. Maybe a F-22A? They can really move and turn on a dime. So maybe it was a sonic Raptor that slowed down made a turn and lit the cans again? Edited September 14, 2007 by Midnight Storm Link to post Share on other sites
Chappie Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Skunk Works at it again? Chappie Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Could be the 15:30 express from Galaxy NJ-151 Or probably what one of the other guys said Cheers, Ian PS-On a serious note, I doubt the US halted hypervelocity testing at the scramjet stage. Maybe their onto the next level? Link to post Share on other sites
jefropas Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Hitch, You know probably better than most, esp. being a AF pilot, all the secret crap they have at Tonopah. From what I've heard, there is also something up in Utah as well. It could be anything, I'm pretty open when it comes to that stuff, I'm pretty sure though it wouldn't be an errant missile anywhere near your flight path. Whatever it was, you would have never seen it in your A-10....... Jeff Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Santa Claus testing new sled? Link to post Share on other sites
Sunliner Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Chuck Norris in a Tweet? (hey, somebody was gonna say it eventually...) Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Hmmm... right geographical area. Coulda been anything somewhat Skunkish. Cool stuff! Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Might it have been something launched from White Sands ? Interesting to say the least though ... Gregg Link to post Share on other sites
Scot M Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Hmmm......very interesting. I would be curious too.Did we ever figure out what was leaving the 'doghnuts on a roap' type contrails from a while back? Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Probably the Aurora, just as they "officially" prove it's existence, it will be considered old technology and be retired. Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 (edited) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Seriously though, who knows what they're testing out there... Edited September 14, 2007 by Trigger Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 The 3:10 to Yuma? Link to post Share on other sites
Sean Bratton Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 It was swamp gas. Now, if you'll just look right here... Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Damn!! Not again!! I need to find my tin foil hat!! Link to post Share on other sites
chopperpilot71 Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Piper Cub with Red Bull in the fuel tank.....? Link to post Share on other sites
jai5w4 Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Hello, boys. I'm baaaaaack! Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 I really think Bill Sweetman established the evidence very soundly as to the hypersonic project that was flying out of there and probably northern Scotland. One day we'll know...remember in the 80's when the F-117 was almost as enigmatic as, say, UFO's? Funny to think; how times have changed!!! We'll know someday. Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Piper Cub with Red Bull in the fuel tank.....? Snoopy in the Sopwith Doghouse??? Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 The testing of some new recon asset to help find Steve Fossett? Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Well given the direction you were looking, I can assure you it wasn't CVW-2 or my bandits :huh: Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Barry Bonds finally overdid the steroids?? Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 The Spaceballs Winnebago fueled up with liquid Schwartz..................... Link to post Share on other sites
ron Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Today I'm in my 737-800 at 34 thousand feet over central Nevada I wish I had my own 737-800 Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 (edited) It was a Bell 412. No, really, it was! Edited September 14, 2007 by Trigger Link to post Share on other sites
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