ROYAL RECEPTION

This coming Saturday May 5th presents a chance for some interesting monitoring for our area.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip will be attending the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The current trip itinerary is for her to travel on a chartered Boeing 777 (most likely British Airways). The published schedule does not mention any stopovers in Lexington, but she does own a horse farm in the area. Arrival via Norfolk, VA may be Friday evening or Saturday morning at either Lexington or Louisville or both.

If the 777 is flown by the Royal Air Force No. 32 Squadron it may be using the callsign "KITTYHAWK", followed by several numbers, then followed by "ROMEO" to signify a Royal Family Flight. KITTYHAWK is the callsign of RAF Royal Squadron.

Both Louisville International Airport - Standiford Field (KSDF)and Blue Grass Airport (KLEX)in Lexington are controlled by Indianapolis Center (ZID). We will have to chance to hear them on ZID frequencies and approach frequencies for Lexington and Louisville.

Click on the links to the right for Indianapolis Center frequencies, here we list the approach frequencies for KSDF and KLEX:

LEXINGTON - KLEX

120.150 -- Approach/Departure (040-220)
120.750 -- Approach/Departure (221-039)
125.000 -- Approach/Departure
259.300 -- Approach/Departure (040-220)
298.900 -- Approach/Departure (221-039)


LOUISVILLE - KSDF

123.675 -- Approach/Departure West
132.075 -- Approach/Departure East
134.150 -- Approach
327.000 -- Approach/Departure


Expect this aircraft to be handled in the same manner as Air Force One.