On 27-Feb-2023 N105TB flew from Bedford via Tulsa, OK to Mojave, CA on its final flight (at least that’s what the crew said to Bedford ATC prior to departure)
KBED clearance to N105TB was to FSM -not TUL – which is Fort Smith, Arkansas. Seems unusual as Tulsa is home to more ancient Gulfstreams but maybe 120nm was a bit of a stretch for fuel.
Here’s the clearance from BED Ground https://www.dropbox.com/s/6g8al9btwvkc39i/aN105TB%20clearance.mp3?dl=0
Mildly amusing chitchat on the Ground frequency afterwards where N1O5TB crew explain that it’s the final flight into retirement and request a touch n go or a 500ft flyby. Refused by ATC as they’re not allowed; hardly surprising as it’s probably the noisiest aircraft at Bedford! https://www.dropbox.com/s/hebm2z9f85ulpml/aKBED1-Gnd-Feb-27-2023-1400Z.mp3?dl=0
Even more amusing is the comment from another aircraft on the ground frequency that there is ‘an unusual amount of black smoke coming from that departing aircraft’ as N105TB departs with its Speys leaving a smoke trail. At least one of the engines is to be put to good use, donated to Northrop-Grumman’s N82CR that’s been waiting for a donor at Lancaster Fox Fields for a while now.
Farewell N105TB. Following you around has provided me with much entertainment over the years.
The Groom Lake Gulfstream 