Curious on the backstory behind the photos? This is the place. You'll find not only write ups on local outings, but also reviews of major events I’ve attended.
Happy 247th Birthday, USA!
A very happy 247th…
A very happy 247th birthday to the United States of America!
I wouldn't call us a perfect union just yet, but we are still pretty decent all things considered. Can't detract from our aviation scene, that's for sure!
Here are some of my favorite flag related aircraft/photos over the years.
Bell Textron’s Floyd Carlson Airfield
Take a look at Bell Textron’s customer training airfield near it’s Fort Worth, Texas headquarters!
Established in 2018, the Floyd Carlson Airfield in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is a training ground for Bell Textron. Here, customers learn all the necessary procedures, from the critical to the normal to the emergency, and practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment. If you happen to show up to the airfield on a weekday, you might just catch a glimpse of up to 5 Bell Textron helicopters at a time utilizing this practice field!
The Bell Training Academy has a long and storied history in the Fort Worth area. Since moving here in 1951, Bell has been responsible for some of the most iconic helicopters in history, including the Bell 47, the Bell UH-1 Huey, and the Bell 206 Jetranger.
The academy's fleet of helicopters is impressive to say the least. They currently offer training on the Bell 206, 407, 412, 429, and 505, each with their own unique set of capabilities and features. And with instructors who are not only highly skilled but also passionate about what they do, you get to see some truly impressive airmanship on display.
Dallas Love Field (June 18/20 2023)
A very interesting compliment of visitors at Dallas Love Field!
I often see Dallas Love Field as the hidden gem of the Dallas/Fort Worth area when it comes to interesting visitors and the week of June 18th was no exception.
The obvious highlight this week was the Vice President of the United States' campaign visit to Dallas. With the visit came two US Air Force C-40Bs of the 89th Airlift Wing out of Joint Base Andrews. One of these airframes, inconspicuously painted white, used the callsign "SAM2A." Upon further investigation, this particular airframe used to be based out of Rammstein Air Force Base with the 86th Airlift Wing. In 2019, the USAF decided to consolidate all of their C-40Bs to Joint Base Andrews under the 89th Airlift Wing. These Air Force Special Air Mission C-40Bs boast visible modifications, making them one of the most unique and capable 737s in the skies today!
Aside from the military traffic, there were also two sports charters making their way out of Love Field. The Toronto Blue Jays flew a rather tired looking Air Canada A320 to Miami to take on the Marlins, while the Texas Rangers headed to Chicago onboard "Kraft 1" to play against the White Sox. For those confused about the Texas Rangers baseball team flying on a New England Patriots jet, this particular air frame is operated by Eastern Airlines and during the NFL off-season is often used for various other charter jobs such as this.. Clear as mud?
The rest of the album contains various other aircraft with some more commonly seen at Love Field than others.
Enjoy!
The 2022 Reklaw Flying M Ranch Fly-In and Campout
Ever heard of Reklaw, Texas? Most haven't, and that's okay. The 379 residents probably prefer it that way, but it would be a crime to not shine a light on their incredible annual fly-in.
Have you ever been to Reklaw? If not, you're missing out on one of the most exciting events in general aviation. The Reklaw fly-in takes place every Fall at the Flying M Ranch Airport (7TA7) owned by Dave and Marcia Mason of Reklaw, Texas. Reklaw is about 140 miles to the SE of the Dallas/Fort Worth area and 147 miles NNE of Houston meaning it's in a favorable location for aviators far and wide. For a few days each Fall, the private grass strip welcomes aircraft owners, pilots and other aviation enthusiasts to the ranch.
For those who have been to Reklaw or who have seen media from the fly-in, you'll know that Reklaw features plenty of "runway clearing" low passes, good food, award ceremonies, and best of all, great people - many of which participate in Oshkosh-style camping next to their aircraft. The fly-in is also known to feature an impressive variety of aircraft in various sizes. In past years, aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-12, Antonov AN-2, Twin Beech, and even a North American P-51D Mustang have either flown into or over the event.
The Flying M Ranch's grass strip measures 3,500 feet in length and features a heck of a gradient as you'll see in the photos and never mind the fact that it has some pretty sizeable pine trees on each approach end! As you can imagine, this makes for some pretty exciting operations both from a pilot and spectator perspective. In addition to the runway challenges, it's also an uncontrolled event meaning that's on the pilots to see and avoid even while the event is at its busiest, and boy does it get busy!
In summary, the Reklaw Fly-In is a must-attend event for aviation enthusiasts and the 2022 edition was no different. People driving up and down the flight line on riding lawn mowers, tying their shoes in the middle of the runway, and holding up signs to egg on the pilots - you'll see it all at Reklaw! I think it's fair to say it's a wonderful event and simultaneously not for the faint of heart.
Be sure to be patient and make it to the end of this large album. Turns out the heat gets turned up as the night goes on! The 2023 edition this coming October will be the 38th year of the Flying M Ranch Fly-In and Campout and we look to be in for another exciting event.
SXM: The Caribbean Jewel Of Aviation
After 31 years, I finally visit the iconic Caribbean island of St Maarten!
Growing up as a total aviation nerd, I had always longed to visit the island of St Maarten to experience the thrill of watching planes take off and land over the iconic Maho Beach. Last month, I finally got the opportunity to witness this spectacle for myself, and it did not disappoint. However, what truly stood out for me was the sheer variety of aircraft that I witnessed over the span of 5 days despite it currently being the "low season" for tourists on the island.
Typically, you'll see the same set of aircraft across most US airports - the 737s, the A320s, the ERJ175s.. However, SXM Airport is different. It plays host to some more rarely seen and unique aircraft still in operation. As soon as I got off my plane, I was struck by the sight of planes that I had only seen in pictures before.
One of the first planes that caught my eye was the Fokker 70 operated by JetAir Carribean. This 80-seat regional jet was manufactured by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer, Fokker and only 47 were ever built since 1992.
Another plane that you see (VERY regularly) was the Britten Norman Islander. This aircraft is one of the most versatile in the world and is renowned for its ability to operate in harsh and remote environments. It's incredible short take off and landing performance makes it a popular choice for many local operators such as Anguilla Air Charters, Anguilla Air Services, Winward Express, and SXM Airways who perform both cargo and passenger flights between the many islands in the area.
The real aviation highlight of my trip to SXM Airport was my first glimpse at the ultra-rare Trislander, the three-engined cousin of the Islander. This is an aircraft that is almost impossible to see anywhere else in the world with only a handful still operating, which made the sight all the more special.
Between the 5 days I had the pleasure of visiting, I trekked to the French side of the island up north. There you'll also see some ATR action courtesy of French carrier Air Caraibes. Grand Case Airport is mere miles away from SXM and provides service to the beautiful surrounding beaches and resorts.
I could ramble on and on but it's as simple as this. If you are an aviation enthusiast, the island of St Maarten should definitely be on your bucket list. Between the perfect white sand beaches, world class food and booze at the Sunset Beach Bar, and the glorious variety of aviation you'll witness, the experience is truly unmatched by any other airport in the world.
You won't be disappointed!
Addison Airport 06/02/23
Aviation action at the Addison Airport on June 2nd, 2023.
A brief visit to the Addison Airport yielded some interesting traffic, with the highlight being a 1980 Lear 25D that had flown up from Conroe, Texas the day prior and a very rare 1978 Aerospatiale 341F Gazelle that was recently acquired by someone based at the airport. A few other goodies thrown in for good measure!
Working Whirlybirds
A former TV star-turned heavy lifter and the new kid on the block both putting in work in the DFW area on the morning of May 16, 2023.
A fine morning of working whirlybirds in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex! Over half a century separate these two working airframes. First is the Bell 525 Relentless, a super-medium-lift helicopter still undergoing certification. It has a sharp employee-designed livery and was the third Relentless built. It spent some time side stepping up and down the taxiway at Bell's Arlington flight test facility.
Second was the venerable S-58, "Screaming Mimi" operated by aerial crane specialists 5 State Helicopters Inc just outside of the confines of the DFW Airport. Always a pleasure watching these true professionals operate so seamlessly in tight spaces. This particular S-58 was the star of the 1980s TV show Rip Tide. So wonderful to see it continue to earn its keep in 2023.
From The Vault: EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2022
Thought 2021 was a great week for Airventure? Between perfect weather and an incredible lineup, 2022 was an unforgettable year!
I was once again honored to receive media credentials for The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration in 2022. Oshkosh is often considered by many to be the best aviation event on the planet with just about every facet of aviation being present each year. 2022 was no different with over 10,000 aircraft arriving to the otherwise quiet Wisconsin town in late July. At Oshkosh's Wittman Regional Airport alone, there were over 18,684 aircraft movements between July 21-31 which comes out to an average rate of 121 take offs/landings per hour while the airport was open.
In the second year back since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold on the world, the 2022 edition of the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration was a record-breaking success with over 650,000 in attendance over the week-long event, a 7 percent increase over 2021’s visitor tally. The event was also very fortunate to receive beautiful weather over the entire week, a rarity as seasoned Oshkosh attendees would attest.
Some of the themes for the ‘22 show were the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force, 50th anniversary of the Van's Aircraft RV series, and the 30th anniversary of the EAA - Young Eagles ride program. Airlines, eager to inspire and recruit a new generation of pilots, were also a strong presence with impressive flight demos by both United and Delta Air Lines. Despite the US Air Force being OSH22’s focal point, US Naval Aviation also showed up in strong numbers, bringing the F-35C Lightning II, EA-18G Growler, and E-2C Hawkeye demonstration teams. Another visitor, this one unexpectedly, was Delilah the "stowaway cat" who ended up sneaking into her parent's camper all the way from Maine and ended up spending the entire week at the show!
I hope the following photos can do this incredible event justice. Oshkosh is both a slice of aviation heaven while also getting to see both old and new friends each and every year. I can't wait to be back in 2023!
This is a very large album that includes action from throughout the week I was up there. Below are 341 images for your viewing pleasure. Please be patient as this album may take a bit of extra time to load.
From The Vault: EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2021
A look into the 2021 edition of the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, the first since the start of the global pandemic!
In 2021, I was lucky enough to make the trip north to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the year's edition of the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This was my sixth AirVenture and despite the ongoing pandemic, I was very impressed with the turnout and adjustments made by the organizers to make this extraordinary event happen. Attendance numbered around 608,000 for the week and more than 10,000 aircraft arrived. According to the EAA, there were 16,378 aircraft operations in a 10-day period from July 22-31 which averages out to around 116 takeoffs/landings per hour. There's a reason why OSH tower is considered the "World's Busiest Control Tower" during the week of the show! If there was anything I could possibly complain about, it would be the constant smoky skies due to the terrible ongoing wildfires across North America that week, but of course, that is totally out of our control. The performers and themes at OSH21 quickly made everyone forget about the lack of blue skies. Themes of 2021's AirVenture included Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) which brought a staggering number of high profile assets to the show, the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, and humanitarian aircraft such as the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital.
If all of that wasn't enough, did I mention I was lucky enough to hitch a ride on a Pilatus PC-12 up to Oshkosh? Pinch me!
This is a very large album that includes action from throughout the 7 days I was up there. Below are 297 images for your viewing pleasure. Please be patient as this album may take a bit of extra time to load.
The Flying Subaru
A Subaru helicopter? Huh? Yep, you heard that right.
A Subaru helicopter? Huh? Yup, this is a Subaru Bell 412EPX. This is an incredibly modernized variant of the legendary Huey family with electronically controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-9 engines, an improved main transmission, and a glass cockpit. The Bell 412EPX is a commercial version of the Subaru-Bell UH-2, formerly the UH-X, which was built to meet the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's requirement of a UH-1J replacement. Pictures below are N412EX flying at the Floyd Carlson Airfield in the Dallas/Fort Worth area yesterday morning. The Floyd Carlson Airfield was established in 2018 by the Bell Training Academy and is used for training customers critical, normal, and emergency procedures.
