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Antonov 225's arrival at OAK generates excitement among pilots.
ATC and pilots at Oakland Airport coordinate to view the arrival of the Antonov An-225.
Summary
On September 10, 2018, the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, arrived at Oakland International Airport (OAK). This recording captures the genuine excitement of controllers and pilots as they deviate from standard procedures to catch a glimpse of the rare, six-engine giant.
Analysis
The Antonov An-225 Mriya was a one-of-a-kind strategic airlift cargo aircraft, famously known as the largest and heaviest airplane ever built. Its arrival at a commercial airport like Oakland was a significant event for the local aviation community. In this recording, the Oakland Tower controller is seen actively encouraging other pilots—ranging from commercial Southwest jets to small Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cessnas—to slow down or change their flight paths to witness the landing.
The technical handling of the aircraft is notable. The An-225 uses the callsign suffix "Super," a wake turbulence category reserved for aircraft even larger than "Heavy" (like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380). Following its landing, the controller orders a "runway sweep" by airport ground vehicles (Airport 11). This is a standard but critical safety procedure for such a massive aircraft to ensure no foreign object debris (FOD) was left behind or blown onto the runway by its six powerful Progress D-18T turbofans.
The transcript highlights a rare moment of "aviation geek" culture on the professional radio. Controllers usually prioritize efficiency and brevity, but here, the controller tells a Southwest pilot to "drag your feet" and offers a CAP pilot the freedom to "maneuver as you need to get up closer" for pictures. This flexibility demonstrates a high level of situational awareness and a shared passion for aviation history between the tower and the cockpit.
This recording has gained significant historical weight since February 2022, when the only completed An-225 was destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine at Hostomel Airport. What was once a recording of a "cool sighting" has become a historical archive of a legendary aircraft that no longer exists, making the excitement of the pilots and controllers even more poignant for modern listeners.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
ATC
Southwest 4026, contact Ground on .75. Just so you know, seven miles final is the biggest airplane in the world. You might want to slow taxi and watch that land.
ATC
Southwest flight 4026, switch over to the ground controllers on frequency 121.75. Just a heads-up, the biggest airplane in the world is seven miles out on its final approach. You might want to take your time taxiing so you can catch it landing.
PILOT
Okay, we’ll drag our feet. What is it?
PILOT
Okay, we’ll move nice and slow. What kind of plane is it?
ATC
The big Antonov. The one-of-a-kind built in the '80s.
ATC
It's that massive Antonov. The only one of its kind ever built, back in the eighties.
PILOT
Oh, cool. We’ll drag our feet if that’s okay with your ground guys.
PILOT
Oh, that's awesome. We’ll take our sweet time if the ground controllers don't mind us lingering.
ATC
I’m sure it will be.
ATC
I'm sure they won't mind at all.
PILOT
Cool.
PILOT
Great.
ANTONOV PILOT
Tower, good afternoon. Antonov 286 Foxtrot Super, ILS runway 30.
ANTONOV PILOT
Tower, good afternoon. This is the Antonov, flight 286 Foxtrot Super, using the instrument landing system for runway 30.
ATC
Antenov 286 Foxtrot Super, Oakland Tower. Runway 30, cleared to land. Wind 280 at 12.
ATC
Antonov 286 Foxtrot Super, Oakland Tower. You are authorized to land on runway 30. The wind is coming from the west at 12 knots.
ANTONOV PILOT
Cleared to land, runway 30. Antonov 286 Foxtrot.
ANTONOV PILOT
Authorized to land on runway 30. Antonov 286 Foxtrot.
PILOT
Tower 51, with you on the visual, runway 30.
PILOT
Tower 51, we have the runway in sight and are heading in for runway 30.
ATC
Tower 51, Oakland Tower. If you look up towards the left on your downwind area at 5,000 feet, landing runway 30 is the Antonov Super 225—I think the only one in the world.
ATC
Tower 51, Oakland Tower. If you look up to your left while you're flying parallel to the runway at 5,000 feet, you'll see the Antonov Super 225 coming in for runway 30—I believe it's the only one in the world.
PILOT
Ground, Airport 10. I’m with you in the stadium. I’d like to proceed up taxiway Bravo and Whiskey, hold short Whiskey 5 to wait for this aircraft.
PILOT
Ground control, this is Airport vehicle 10. I'm over by the stadium area. I'd like to drive up taxiways Bravo and Whiskey, then stop just before intersection Whiskey 5 to wait and watch this plane.
ATC
Airport 10, proceed as requested.
ATC
Airport 10, go ahead as you asked.
ATC
Dreamliner 622, you can cross the right if you’d like. Taxi to the left, or cross the left as well. Go all the way up to Bravo 1, cancel your takeoff clearance, and maneuver as you need to get up closer.
ATC
Dreamliner 622, you're free to cross the right runway if you want. Taxi over to the left, or cross that one too. Head all the way up to the Bravo 1 intersection; we'll cancel your permission to take off for now so you can move around however you need to get a closer look.
ATC
NorCal 7076 Heavy at Uniform, give way to Southwest 525 left.
ATC
NorCal flight 7076, your large aircraft is at taxiway Uniform; let the Southwest flight pass you on the left.
PILOT
Giving way at Uniform for Southwest, NorCal 7076 Heavy.
PILOT
We're letting that Southwest jet go first here at taxiway Uniform, NorCal 7076 Heavy.
PILOT
Southwest 4026, the Dreamliner's holding short of Uniform for you.
PILOT
Southwest 4026, this big Dreamliner is stopping short of taxiway Uniform to let you pass.
ATC
Southwest 4026, Roger. We’re just dragging our feet in the interim. 622, wind 280 at 12, runway 28 right, cleared for takeoff.
ATC
Southwest 4026, understood. We’re just taking our time for a moment here. Flight 622, the wind is 12 knots from the west, you’re all set for takeoff on runway 28 Right.
ATC
NorCal 7076 Heavy, once you get to the runway, there will be a slight delay. They’ve got to do a runway sweep for the Super.
ATC
NorCal 7076 Heavy, once you reach the runway, expect a short wait. The crews need to scan the pavement for debris after that massive Super-sized plane landed.
PILOT
Roger that, NorCal 7076. How was that landing there?
PILOT
Understood, NorCal 7076. So, how did that landing look from your end?
PILOT
Tower, Airport 11 on Whiskey 1, holding short. Requesting inspection of runway 30.
PILOT
Tower, this is Airport vehicle 11 at taxiway Whiskey 1, holding short. We’re requesting to drive out and inspect runway 30.
ATC
Antonov 286 Foxtrot Super, contact Ground on .75 when you are off the runway.
ATC
Antonov 286 Foxtrot Super, switch over and talk to the ground controllers on frequency 121.75 once you’ve cleared the runway.
ANTONOV PILOT
Roger, 121.75. Antonov 286 Foxtrot.
ANTONOV PILOT
Copy that, 121.75. Antonov 286 Foxtrot.
ATC
Airport 11, proceed on runway 30.
ATC
Airport 11, you’re clear to drive onto runway 30.
PILOT
Airport 11, proceed. We would love to do that. Can we line up for 28 left?
PILOT
Airport 11 is moving. We’d love to help with that. Can we get in position for runway 28 Left?
ATC
Cherokee 17 Juliet, you can proceed midfield and then directly over the Oakland Airport. Runway 30, number two, follow—whatever you need to do.
ATC
Cherokee 17 Juliet, you can fly toward the middle of the field and then straight over the Oakland Airport. You're second in line for runway 30, just follow the traffic—do whatever you need to do.
CAP PILOT
We’ll line up for 28 left and may go around if we’re getting good pictures. CAP 41.
CAP PILOT
We’ll get in line for runway 28 Left, and we might skip the landing and circle back if the photos are coming out well. CAP 41.
ATC
Roger, you can make a left turn for left traffic for 28 left. Traffic is at 28 left, CAP 41. Take a look at those outboard motors as you go by, please.
ATC
Got it, turn left to enter the traffic pattern for runway 28 Left. Watch for other planes there, CAP 41. And please, take a close look at those outer engines as you fly past.
PILOT
Tower, CAP 345 Alpha Sierra. We’d love to take a look at that airplane, too. Could we extend our downwind on 33?
PILOT
Tower, this is CAP 345 Alpha Sierra. We’d like to get a look at that plane as well. Can we fly a bit further past the runway before turning back to land on 33?
ATC
CAP 5 Alpha Sierra, approved as requested.
ATC
CAP 5 Alpha Sierra, you’re all set to do exactly that.
PILOT
Roger, we’ll fly out on the extended downwind for 33 and land 33. 5 Alpha Sierra.
PILOT
Got it, we’ll fly a bit further out past the runway before turning back to land on Runway 33. This is 5 Alpha Sierra.
PILOT
Tower, good afternoon. Rednose 7073 Heavy on...
PILOT
Tower, good afternoon. This is Rednose 7073, our large aircraft is currently on...
ATC
Dreamliner 622, contact NorCal Departure.
ATC
Dreamliner 622, go ahead and switch over to talk to Northern California Departure control now.
PILOT
Hey, thanks. See you next time, Dreamliner 622.
PILOT
Hey, thanks for the help. Talk to you next time, Dreamliner 622.
ATC
Rednose 7073 Heavy, Oakland Tower. Runway 30, continue.
ATC
Rednose 7073, Oakland Tower here. Keep heading toward Runway 30, just keep coming in for now.
PILOT
Continue approach, runway 30. Rednose 7073 Heavy.
PILOT
We'll keep our approach going for Runway 30. Rednose 7073.
ATC
Cherokee 17 Juliet, make a left 360 there, please. A left 360, no greater than a 2-mile circle, please.
ATC
Cherokee 17 Juliet, I need you to fly a full circle to the left right there. Keep that circle within two miles, please.
PILOT
Left 360, 17 Juliet.
PILOT
Making a full circle to the left, 17 Juliet.
ATC
CANFORCE 3277, Oakland Ground. Are you looking for taxi?
ATC
CANFORCE 3277, this is Oakland Ground. Are you ready to start driving out to the runway?
PILOT
Affirmative, with Echo for taxi to 30.
PILOT
That’s correct, we have the latest weather update and we’re ready to taxi to Runway 30.
ATC
Roger, contact Ground on .9.
ATC
Understood, switch over and talk to Ground control on frequency 121.9.
PILOT
Oakland Ground, CANFORCE 3277.
PILOT
Oakland Ground, this is CANFORCE 3277 checking in.
ATC
CANFORCE 3277, Oakland Ground. ATIS Foxtrot is current, no major changes. Altimeter 29.87. Runway 30, taxi via Charlie, hold short runway 28 right.
ATC
CANFORCE 3277, Oakland Ground. The latest weather report is still accurate. The air pressure for your altitude is 29.87. Head to Runway 30 using taxiway Charlie, but stop and wait before you cross Runway 28-Right.
ATC
Southwest 903, Oakland, runway 30 continue.
ATC
Southwest 903, this is Oakland, keep your approach going for Runway 30.
PILOT
Continue Southwest 903.
PILOT
Continuing the approach, Southwest 903.
ATC
Airport 11, will you be able to exit at Whiskey 5 and will the runway be okay? We’ve got Rednose on final and want to make a decision. Traffic over Alameda turning east now is a red and blue Cessna.
ATC
Airport 11, can you get off the runway at taxiway Whiskey 5? We need to know if the runway is clear because we have a Norwegian flight on its final approach and need to make a decision. Also, watch out for a red and blue Cessna turning east over Alameda.
PILOT
Tower, Airport 11 is now clear of runway 30.
PILOT
Tower, this is Airport 11, we are now clear of runway 30 and out of the way.
ATC
Roger, runway 30 is open.
ATC
Understood, runway 30 is now open for traffic.
PILOT
We’ve got that traffic, 5 Alpha Sierra.
PILOT
We have that other plane in sight, 5 Alpha Sierra.
ATC
Rednose 7073 Heavy, runway 30, cleared to land.
ATC
Norwegian flight 7073, you're a large aircraft, you are now cleared to land on runway 30.
PILOT
Cleared to land, runway 30. Rednose 7073 Heavy.
PILOT
Authorized to land on runway 30, Norwegian 7073 Heavy.
CAP PILOT
CAP 41, we’re going to climb to 1,500 on the downwind for 33 to get a look at the Antonov.
CAP PILOT
Civil Air Patrol 41, we’re going to climb to 1,500 feet while flying parallel to the runway so we can get a good look at that giant Antonov plane.
ATC
Thank you. Southwest 903, runway 30 continue once again. Traffic will hold on the runway for a bit better view for you.
ATC
Thanks. Southwest 903, keep your approach toward runway 30 going. That other plane is going to wait on the runway for a bit to give you a better view of it as you come in.
PILOT
Continue, Southwest 903.
PILOT
Continuing our approach, Southwest 903.
ATC
5 Alpha Sierra, following the CAP flight? No, the CAP flight is for the 28s. So if you just want to extend your downwind for 33, just stay north of 30, and runway 33, cleared to land will be at your discretion.
ATC
5 Alpha Sierra, are you following that Civil Air Patrol flight? Actually, they're heading for the 28 runways. If you want to fly a bit further past runway 33, just stay north of runway 30, and you're cleared to land on runway 33 whenever you're ready.
PILOT
Okay, we will extend our downwind and stay north. Ground, Airport 31.
PILOT
Okay, we’ll fly a longer path and stay to the north. Ground control, this is Airport 31.
ATC
Airport 31, Oakland Ground.
ATC
Airport 31, this is Oakland Ground control.
PILOT
Airport 31 at Stadium Sierra 9. I’d like to proceed onto taxiway Bravo just to ensure clearance of the aircraft.
PILOT
Airport 31 is at the stadium near taxiway Sierra 9. I’d like to move onto taxiway Bravo just to make sure I’m safely out of the way of the airplane.
ATC
CAP 41, wind 280 at 12. At your discretion, 28 left or 28 right, cleared to land.
ATC
Civil Air Patrol 41, the wind is from the west at 12 knots. You're cleared to land on either the left or right side of runway 28, whichever you prefer.
PILOT
Airport 31, proceeding onto Bravo.
PILOT
Airport 31, moving onto taxiway Bravo now.
ATC
NorCal 7076 Heavy, monitor Tower.
ATC
NorCal 7076, you big jet, switch over and just listen to the Tower frequency now.
PILOT
Monitor Tower, NorCal 7076.
PILOT
Switching to the Tower frequency now, NorCal 7076.
ATC
CAP 5 Alpha Sierra, if you’d like you can make a left turn at 270 at Whiskey 2 to follow the Antonov and go back to runway 33, or you can enter a downwind for the 28s. Whatever you want to do to get a look at the Antonov is fine.
ATC
CAP 5 Alpha Sierra, if you’d like, you can bank left to a 270-degree heading at taxiway Whiskey 2 to trail that giant Antonov and head back to runway 33, or you can fly parallel to the 28 runways. Whatever you want to do to get a good look at that massive plane is fine with me.
PILOT
We really appreciate that. We’ll do the left 270. 345 Alpha Sierra, thank you.
PILOT
We really appreciate that. We’ll do the left turn to 270. 345 Alpha Sierra, thank you.
ATC
Southwest 3824, he’s going to park at transient parking, maybe about another 1,000 feet from where he is right now.
ATC
Southwest 3824, that big plane is going to park in the visitor area, maybe about another thousand feet from where he’s sitting right now.
PILOT
That is awesome.
PILOT
That is awesome.
ATC
CAP 41, you might take 28 right? At your discretion, CAP 41. Approved. And I don’t need to land right now either if you want to circle to get some more looks at the Antonov.
ATC
CAP 41, you want to take runway 28 on the right? It’s your call, CAP 41, you’re all set. And I don’t need you to land right this second if you want to circle around to get some more looks at that Antonov.
ATC
Rednose 7073 Heavy, turn right at Whiskey 5. Contact Ground on .75.
ATC
Rednose 7073, you big jet, turn right at taxiway Whiskey 5. Switch over and talk to ground control on frequency 121.75.
ATC
CAP 41, 28 right cleared to land. You can still maneuver if you’d like to get some more looks at the Antonov.
ATC
CAP 41, you're all clear to land on runway 28 Right. You can still move around a bit if you want to get a few more looks at that Antonov.
CAP PILOT
Cleared to land and can maneuver as required, CAP 41. Thank you.
CAP PILOT
Cleared to land and we'll maneuver as needed, CAP 41. Thank you.
ATC
Bringing in supplies to Guam.
ATC
That big plane is bringing in supplies to Guam.
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