Message posted by Joerg (Webmaster) (Member since 10/17/2000) on November 01, 2021 at 21:31:57 PST:

The aircraft did fly pretty much right overhead. We were near the signs at Groom Lake Road. In that area the restricted airspace (the "box") extends 3 NM outside the boundary on the ground. So, while we were on public land the aircraft above us was inside restricted airspace.

That said, you make an excellent point. My original formula should have said:

distance = 586 * span

or

altitude = 586 * cos(angle) * span

I estimate the aircraft being less than 5 degrees off to the side and 10-15 degrees forward (past us). If I allow a total angle of 25 degrees on the outside the formula changes to:

altitude = 530 * span

So, if the wingspan was 120 feet the aircraft was at 63,600ft.

If we assume the aircraft was at 40,000 feet, the wingspan was 75 feet.

In Reply to: Re: Possible RQ-180 sighting posted by quellish on November 01, 2021 at 20:18:58 PST:

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