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Varig 737 arriving from Congonhas is making final into Santos Dumont runway 02R with the company's headquarter behind. This photograph was taken from the viewing platform on the way to the top of Sugar Loaf. As it is rather tough for visual approach, airplane sometimes passes through the right place - to make the composition better. This is the spectacular approach which I wanted to see for a long time.
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As both runways are relatively close to each other, Guarulhos does not allow two airplanes taking off and landing at the same time. Hence, we have a good opportunity to take these types of scene. GOL next generation 737 is waiting for the clearance while Lufthansa 747 is about to touch down runway 27L to complete the transatlantic crossing from Frankfurt as LH502. One of my favorite scenes from this trip. Thanks everybody whom I met there for your hospitality!
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Flying over glacier is always fun. My friend former JSDF F-15 Commander Yuguchi now flying his Husky based Merrill Field brought my family to this 'adventure tour.' We are now carefully looking for a place to land which can only be reached by bush pilot/plane. Once we land over tundra, our ultimate task today is to enjoy whiskey over glacier on the rocks. Mission had been completed afterwards!
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This is what happens when you take off from tundra in Alaska. Lots of 'silt' is blown up by the blast created by the 180HP Lycoming 0-360-A1P engine. As I was left in the middle of nowhere, nature brought me an absolute silence. I have never had such a prime but precious time in my life. Seriously, it was truly an amazing experience that I have to behave one of the creatures in Alaska's land - in order to protect myself against wild bears!
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Factory fresh Dash 400 freighter for UPS is taking off from runway 32 intersection kilo at Ted Stevens. She spent a whole day at the company's ramp back and forth to check the equipments and handing procedure. As we had a sunset at 10:51pm (civil twilight until 12:02am for the following day - simply amazing) today, I was managed to catch her late departure toward Hong Kong for another ground staff straining.
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Space Shuttle Discovery awaits launch atop a mobile launch platform at Launch Pad 39B. She is now revealed after the rotating service structure is rolled back. This photograph was taken 12hr toward lift off for mission STS-116 to the International Space Station - same day when the Apollo 17 had started journey to the moon from this very same launch pad. As the initial launch attempt was scrubbed because of the weather, it was finally launched on December 9.
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Space Shuttle Atlantis is a small tip on the trailing column of fire and smoke after launching on its journey to the International Space Station on mission STS-117. Liftoff from Launch Pad 39A was on-time at 7:38:04 pm (EDT). Wide angle view allows you to spot the famous countdown clock at the bottom of the frame. This is where we called a 'Press Site' being located 3.2 miles from the Pad 39A - the closest point as far as the civilians are allowed to go (except those remote control cameras).
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This lady was built in 1953. Big piston driven engine props have always been a gorgeous sight, and their way of flying procedure has never ceased to inspire me. As their rumbling heart-beat reaches to my chest and 'living fire' can emerge from each engine, they seem to be looked like a human being rather than an ordinary machine - same things happen to me for the steam locomotives. Yellow color of the tip of each propeller matches well with the runway/taxiway drawing which completes this image.
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As NASCAR Samsung 500 race will be held at the Texas Motor Speedway in the following day, I expected to see some related traffics. This was a pleasant surprise as I first glanced this as a FedEx freighter trailing with a signature smoke - still fantastic to see the very active 727s! From this angle, she still seems to be operated by MGM Grand Air which draws my memory many years back in the State.
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Christmas and Easter come at the same time? This was truly an unexpected surprise as my hometown Ardmore is a very rural city in southern Oklahoma. Thanks to the FlightAware.com, I had enough time to prepare and shoot her sunset arrival before she even took off the ground at Las Vegas. Seriously, as I have seen a brand new TriStar for ANA back in 70's, I have never seen such a sleek one. Currently, she is undergoing an interior modification at King Aerospace. I am training over this airport with my camera
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Lifting off from top of the Morro da Urca for another panoramic sightseeing tour over downtown Rio de Janeiro. The Christ the Redeemer over Corcovado can be seen in the background, which is one of the destinations of this helicopter. As the Santos Dumont Airport was continuously running 02 operation on that day which have kept me crazy taking photographs, I wish I could fly over the beautiful city, or even landing airplane for Santos Dumont - maybe next time!
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As the construction has nearly been completed, this new passenger terminal of Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport has come into life just a few days ago. Since we have a beautiful terminal like this which allows us to escape any harsh weather, being an aviation enthusiast, we pretty much lose our chance to walk onto the tarmac and aboard the airplane. Anyway, 15mm fisheye perspective shows you the 'cross section' of the boarding area.
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One of my dreams has come true today! Since Hong Kong Kai Tak was closed in 1998, this airport has been my top 'wish-list' for a long time. If you have a chance to see this fantastic approach, you know what I am talking about. GOL new generation 737 is about to touch down runway 02R while many local people watching her go-by. I am so glad to realize that we still have an airport like this, which we barely miss these days. But, seriously, where is the fence?
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This photograph illustrates three major Brazilian airliners for the domestic operation to/from Congonhas. TAM A319 is in very sort final for 17R whereas Varig B737-300 is about to roll from 17L, and GOL B737-800 is waiting the take-off clearance. Yes, Congonhas is the busy airport. Unfortunately, as we do have a miserable weather today, I have to take something since the travel schedule usually does not give me a second chance. Hope this composition will give some flavor of Congonhas to your desktop.
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Nice overview of down town Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo's beach, and Sugar Loaf (far left) in a calm winter morning. This photograph was taken shortly after taking off from 02R at Santos Dumont enroute to Sao Paulo, Congonhas as RG2410. As many photographs have already proven that this is the beautiful departure, I was so happy that I also had a chance to see myself. I tried to sit at the rear of the cabin in order to fill the empty space (sea) with our right wing!
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What a view! As many Varig pilots told me that this is one of the most beautiful and spectacular approach on earth, I have to agree completely. You can clearly see a part of Rio downtown and Sugar Loaf right in front of the Captain's windscreen. As the altimeter continuously reminds you 'One Thousand,' you are still doing this - flying left down wind for 02R. Auto break is set to the maximum, and you are good to go!
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Ah, rainbow! As this was my first opportunity to catch MTA Cargo, Mother Nature does provide me the special perspective. As we passed through the local shower when this DC-10 had landed, I somehow expected its appearance. And, here we go! It looks like the rainbow is bridging a ground personnel with the airplane as if it visualizes his tender loving care for the airplane. Besides, 12 mm view might make this scene more dramatically. Fantastic moment which I will never forget.
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What a sight! Look at the magnificent Glacier! It looks as if the Ocean has instantly been frozen. For me, the imagination allows me to think that the high wing of Cessna 172 looks like a mast of sailboat. In a reality, our 172 is now flying over the Knik Glacier when the sun is about to set. Our friend former JSDF F-15 Commander Yuguchi brought my family to this sightseeing flight. He is now flying as a bush pilot with his Husky based Merrill Field. I am looking forward to fly with him this summer.
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Wow! Northern lights and the Great Dipper!! This could be one of the ultimate window views that I could expect. Mother Nature surely does know how to pose for photographs. However, this is changing forever and could disappear suddenly as we are now traveling more than 700 km/h with 10 km off the ground. Definitely, this is a damn difficult image to capture where my passion for photography comes from. The red cast on the wing comes from the anti-collision light as I managed to synchronize my photo with it.
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Beautiful 560 Excel is seconds from touch down toward runway 02L at Santos Dumont while the 'Cristo Redentor' over the Corcovado Mountain is watching her go-by. I am so glad to realize that we still have an airport like this, which we barely miss these days. Because of this fantastic approach with absolutely no fence around the threshold, this airport has been my top 'wish-list' for a long time after the Hong Kong Kai Tak was closed in 1998. One of my dreams has come true today!
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As the weather seemed to be quite unstable at Kennedy Space Center, I almost thought that the mission control team would send Discovery to California. But, surprisingly enough, they decided to land her at KSC, and here she comes! Welcome back Discovery!! CDR Mark Polansky and PLT William Oefelein smoothly bring the vehicle back to the 15000ft runway 15 for landing at sunset (5:32pm EST). Congratulation for the entire NASA team for the successful STS-116 mission (204 orbits, traveling 5.3 million miles).
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Lightly loaded FedEx MD-11F is now rocketing out from RWY32 at Anchorage - because of the Saturday maybe? As the sun was suddenly jumping into the frame, it gave me an interesting yellowish hue. The thermometer in the vehicle showed that it was -9F (-22.8C) which made me pretty cold; but, as you might know, I like winter so that I was really excited what I am doing here! The horizontal stabilizer and tail section were shadowed onto the puff of clouds created by break dusts. Pretty cool effect I would say.
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Lake Hood Seaplane base is an interesting place. As the lake is completely frozen during winter, many seaplane owners put their lovely airplane onto the lakeside which gave us many photo opportunities (some others change float to ski devices). This Cessna 185 is sitting quiet but resting peacefully with the crystal clear blue sky behind. This is a 12mm full framed view which I think it is something interesting to show. Bright yellow of this airplane gives this image a nice touch of color.
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Three good engines are up and running! Transmile MD-11F is crossing the runway 32 from the East to West through taxiway Sierra which is located directly ahead of me. Showing the great angle horizontal stabilizer, this must be one of the characteristic angles of this attractive looking MD-11. Low winter sunlight makes this scene even better. Personally, from this angle, this color arrangement reminds me the Harlequin's DC-10 of Japan (subsidiary of JAS which has already gone for the history book).
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Traditional Anchorage image showing my beloved 'Classic' 747 and beautiful Chugach Mountains behind. The magnificent 'Giant' is now taking off using the full length of runway 32 with kicking up some snow on the ground. As the Boeing Converted Freighter program from Dash 400 passenger airplanes is now taken place, it is presumed to be more difficult to receive these shots within a few years - especially in this superb lighting. I will keep continue shooting these beauty until their final days.
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After we saw a stream of MD-11F from the very early morning, I have noticed this unmistakable Double Wasp P&W R2800CA15 radial sounds approaching from the distance - must be another beautiful freighter airplane being delivered from the same manufacture! As soon as this 54 years old lady got airborne, the pilots made a sharp left turn as if they fly over the airshow circuit..., or they might know what I was doing. Despite the fact that it was slightly a backlit, I was fascinated to shoot this opportunity.
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It is always delighted to see some snow on the undercarriage is blown off by the air stream. This UPS MD-11F is now leaving Anchorage from runway 32 with some interesting selection of cargo airplanes behinds. As this photograph was taken the moment after the sun broke through the peak of mountains, the orange hue gives us a warm atmosphere. In a reality, it is -9F (-22.8C) which makes me pretty cold; but, as you might know, I like crispy winter day so that I really enjoy what I am doing here!!
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"On be half of the whole crew, we want to thank you, your launch team and all the men and women working on the NASA team, you're all going to be with us tonight going to orbit. We look forward to lighting up the night sky and rewiring ISS. See you in a few weeks!" said by CDR Mark Polansky. This photograph was taken the moment after the launch when the Discovery starts the roll program. As it turned out to be my first night launch photography, as you can see, it seems that I could capture something!
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TCAS is ringing!? I am not quite sure; but, as I used 300 mm lens, I think it looks closer than real. I have no idea what the NCA pilots tried to achieve as they only departed from runway 7L to make a left turn heading for Japan which eventually encountered with China Airlines 747 departing from runway 32 (longest runway which all the heavies departed from on that day). Anyway, it was a nice opportunity for me to capture this scene with the morning orange hue.
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'Old soldiers never die, and yet they never fade away' right? Look at the gorgeous five (one peeked in behind the Southern Air) four-engine aircraft line up. Everts Air Cargo DC-6B is taxing in the very front with her four 2500hp roaring P&W R-2800-CB17 engines running - whose sounds easily rumble toward our chest. This type of combination could only be achieved in Anchorage, Alaska. If you seriously like a heavy metal and would like to smell a kerosene and avgas at the same time, this is the place to be.
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Ship 1235 has arrived at the 10,000ft runway 12R from Amsterdam as NW55 heavy (5:16pm local time). As the retirement of NW DC-10 is approaching quickly, I do not want to miss a chance to see their daily life one more time at their headquarters. However, at the same time, I did not expect to see another favorite aircraft which has already been retired/stored from its subsidiary. In this frame, I could capture the Detroit Redwings/Tigers aircraft (DC-9-51; N682RW) as well in a background as a bonus.
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Is taking off from 10,000ft runway 12R at Minneapolis-St Paul bound for Honolulu as NW99 heavy (11:58am local time). This is supposed to be one of the only two daily Northwest flights operated by DC-10 when this photograph is archived. Personally, ship 1243 has always been something special as it was operated by Japan Air System/Harlequin Air before it joined the Northwest fleet. I clearly remembered the day when the NW pilots took this airframe for test flights and flew back to MSP from Tokyo Haneda.
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What a view! This air-to-ground overview depicts the launch sites of the International Balloon Fiesta. As this was the last day/event of the fiesta called 'Mass Ascension,' due to the shower passed through the area at the break of dawn, most of special shape balloons have canceled the flight. Still, as you can see, many balloons are now preparing for launch. This photograph was taken from "That a way" flown by David Bobel (N4508B) who took me to the air for the first time. I shall never forget this moment
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Is touching down onto the grass runway at the private airport. As our Captain Casey invited me to the 'Annual Hamburger Fly-in' festival at his house/airport, I surely had a great time chatting many private pilots and photographing from this unbelievable location. From what I chatted with the current owner, after he purchased this from the Island Air in Canada in 1987, he participates EAA AirVenture Oshkosh almost every summer; thus, you will have a good chance to see this beautiful machine out there.
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Since the 'graduation' of Northwest DC-10 is approaching, I do not want to miss a chance to see their real life one more time at their headquarters. It looks as if the ship 1237 is now towed through the victory road while the company colleagues are gathering together for cerebration. In a reality, during a weekend, as the operation does not seem to be as busy as weekdays, lots of fleets tend to park here for scheduled maintenance. We will surely miss you go DC-10. Thank you for the beautiful memories.
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Has arrived from long trans-Pacific flight from Tokyo Narita as Northwest 20 heavy. Lots of water is dramatically kicked up when this dash 400 shows her full stopping power onto the 10,000ft runway 12R at Minneapolis-St. Paul International / World-Chamberlain Airport. Despite some difficulties for photography, this is one of the reasons why I like to go to the airport in a rainy condition. Moreover, I could capture my favorite bright yellow colored three holers as well in a background as a bonus.