AIR PICTURE — CHAGRIN FALLS, OH — 2026-08-11
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Dramatically quiet day — traffic running 86% below the 7-day average with 181 contacts logged against a baseline of 1,261. The skies over Chagrin Falls were not so much monitored as occasionally glanced at.
NOTABLE TRAFFIC
The high-altitude eastbound parade continued uninterrupted, with United, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and American all pushing product across the 30,000–39,000 ft band on broadly similar headings (083°–109°). UAL516 led the pack at 522 kts, 31,000 ft, heading east. N708TT topped the altitude chart among identified contacts at 41,000 ft, 541 kts — somebody's in a hurry.
At the other end of the spectrum, CXK683 was observed at a leisurely 1,525 ft and 69 kts, heading 228° — the airborne equivalent of a Sunday drive. ENY3454 similarly puttered along at 825 ft near the western approach.
Two international guests: EIN9WM (Irish registration hexcode, transiting eastbound at 33,000 ft) and THY91J (Turkish Airlines, Netherlands-registered, 29,175 ft, heading nearly due east at 539 kts) added some transatlantic flavor.
ANOMALIES
Fourteen contacts transmitted Mode S with no flight ID broadcast today. Three merit attention: C05030 (Canadian registration, 33,650 ft, heading south, no callsign — cooperating with radar, not with curiosity), A9FEC4 (34,000 ft, stationary report, no speed or position — possibly a ghost contact), and A8690A (28,000 ft, similar data poverty). AAAD6D was flagged LOW_AND_FAST at 2,975 ft and 218 kts — origin unknown, explanation unclear. A second low-fast contact, A8DC4B, showed similar behavior at 2,950 ft and 204 kts. Both warrant a raised eyebrow.
QTR1X and EIN9WM carry ICAO codes outside recognized national allocation ranges — technically unassigned airspace on the registration ledger.
PATTERN NOTES
The traffic depression was severe and consistent throughout the day. Dozens of established regulars — DAL, UAL, SWA, RPA, EDV, SKW series flights — simply did not materialize. Whether this reflects a broader system disruption, weather upstream, or a collective editorial decision by the airlines is beyond this office's mandate to determine. The missing regulars list alone runs longer than today's actual contact list. That is, frankly, a statement.
END OF DAILY AIR PICTURE