Please help with understanding this tracking info

[Petros]

N18MW_very cloud day_03_18_2015.jpg

1. The plane is supposed to be going from Amarillo TX to Albuquerque NM, but clearly the plane is flying back and forth over the Sandia Mountains over a dozen times, and this was on a cloudy day. Why would there be the discrepancy in FAA flight itinerary?

2. The plane designation N18MW is registered with FAA to a company in Florida (Red State LLC). What would the plane be doing in Albuquerque NM?

[F-EGLF1]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5794[/ATTACH]

1. The plane is supposed to be going from Amarillo TX to Albuquerque NM, but clearly the plane is flying back and forth over the Sandia Mountains over a dozen times, and this was on a cloudy day. Why would there be the discrepancy in FAA flight itinerary?

2. The plane designation N18MW is registered with FAA to a company in Florida (Red State LLC). What would the plane be doing in Albuquerque NM?

Lidar mapping ?

[Petros]

Lidar mapping ?

Using an aerial mapping technique that employs a laser through dense cloud coverage? The plane was at 11,000 feet, and the cloud coverage was very near the top of the Sandia mountain peak, which is just about 10,000 feet above sea level. Another interesting thing that occurred was that as soon as the plane landed, within minutes the entire mountain area was engulfed by clouds so that it was no longer visible.