AIR PICTURE — CHAGRIN FALLS, OH — 2026-09-24
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Significantly below-average traffic day — 701 contacts against a 7-day mean of 1,521 — with a handful of items worth the commander's attention.
NOTABLE TRAFFIC
The domestic trunk carriers were present in force at altitude. Delta, United, American, Southwest, and Alaska all had multiple high-altitude contacts transiting the area on predominantly east-west tracks, consistent with normal corridor usage. Nothing unusual in their individual behavior.
At the low end of the altitude stack, N972CC was observed at a leisurely 600 feet and 24 knots — presumably enjoying the fall foliage in a way the rest of us cannot. Similarly, N4649M at 800 feet and 53 knots suggests someone in no particular hurry. Both are noted without concern.
SWA374 was caught descending through 9,575 feet southbound at 281 knots — likely on approach to CLE, nothing alarming.
ANOMALIES
Three contacts flagged as LOW AND FAST merit a raised eyebrow: EDV4946 (2,575 ft / 235 kts), SWA4767 (2,500 ft / 233 kts), and N302JK (2,800 ft / 265 kts). None are in today's active contact list, suggesting brief appearances. Altitude misreport, wide approach, or a pilot who disagrees with FAA recommendations — take your pick.
N13MS was observed at 47,000 feet — above the standard commercial ceiling of 45,000 feet. Flagged as consistent with a high-performance business jet or military asset. No further data available.
Six ICAO hex codes carry foreign registrations: three Canadian (JZA735, JZA927, AZG4882 from the UK), plus Netherlands-registered SWR9G and THY6, and UK-registered BAW220 and DHK058 — all consistent with transatlantic traffic overflying the region. Routine, but noted.
Four contacts carry unknown ICAO hex codes outside any national allocation range. Their business here is, technically, anyone's guess.
PATTERN NOTES
Today's count is 54% below the 7-day average — a meaningful suppression. The missing-regulars list is extensive, spanning virtually every carrier. No single operator stands out as absent; the drop appears system-wide, possibly weather-related upstream or a data collection gap. Over 400 anomaly entries are MISSING_REGULAR flags — the sky was quieter today, not just noisier.
East-west traffic dominated, consistent with standard Great Lakes corridor routing.
END OF DAILY AIR PICTURE