The calm before the storm. 5:59AM

Inspired by Jay's recent volley of images from KPHX, I ran out their this afternoon to practice various panning techniques. I guy with shaky hands like me needs all the practice I can get. While commercial aircraft may not be a sexy as the warbird and military platforms, combine them with a busy airport and you get regular opportunities to improve your technique

Did anyone notice that our name changed to Mustangs...............?

Not a great shot, but by the time you get to Saturday, it seems everybody likes to go faster and run higher power settings. This bone stock Mustang all of the sudden was running a full spraybar system.

JWilsonphoto wrote:
Did anyone notice that our name changed to Mustangs...............?
Now that you mention it......I hadn't. shame on me

astrobrian wrote:
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Did anyone notice that our name changed to Mustangs...............?
Now that you mention it......I hadn't. shame on me

I noticed it a few weeks ago, but thought I must have read the name wrong originally.

Jim, I've sent my X in to CPS for cleaning, twice. Each time it's come back with a cleaner sensor than when it went in, but by no means spotless. I've been nursing my D800 along without a cleaning, yet. Your tales do not inspire me to start cleaning my sensors myself.

Not a huge deal for most of you greats on here, but realized among the shots taken before the Apache festival we had, I managed my first off ground full disc As the Lowe's statement says..... never stop improving

Hi Guys,

Back from Sydney tonight where I shot the NSW Wakeboard Comp...

Gave me 1Div its forst run,....had a few fiddles with settings, used my 70-200 II ,,,,all I can say is ...WOW !!!
Man these 1Div's are really something else....Ive had a mate trying to talk me into one for a while.....

Busy editing,...I'll post opsme tomorrow...

Al

Another aluminum sewer pipe from Sky Harbor

Sewer Pipe? What does that mean?

My good friend and pastor shared this link with me. Not sure it would work at 0R1 though. Maybe more like 5 weeks into 30 seconds. It sure does get the creative wheels turning though.

5 Hours in 30 Seconds

Some hand held cropped shots of Al Fursan team in the Dubai sky today:

Wrei wrote:
Sewer Pipe? What does that mean?

Hey Wrei - "Aluminum Sewer Pipe" is the affectionate term some of us in AZ use to describe modern commercial airline platforms. It is meant to draw attention to the long cylindrical tube that comprises the largest structural element. As I noted in my original post, when compared to the often "sexy" lines of modern military fighters or the "classic" design of WWII warbirds, the subtle beauty of the modern Boeing or Airbus is often overlooked

I guess that is why you will find more images online of Audi's R18 Quattro or Ferrarri's V12 Berlinetta versus Volvo's 8400 City Bus. That being said, I'm working to change the error of my mindset as evidenced by my latest posts. I intend to spend more time at Sky Harbor refining my skills and working to expose the under appreciated beauty of these big boys. I'm hoping to achieve some of the success in photographing these "daily drivers" as shown by my more talented associates here on MA2A.

Jeff, never heard that term before. Flying cigar maybe, but not that one (of course the F-102 inspired the "coke bottle" term for it's fuselage along with many of the century series supersonic jets). Guess you'll have to change the term for the 787.

Hi Zim,

CPS has always done a great job for me, but it is completely impractical for me to send bodies in to them every time I have a dust problem. Normally it takes me about 30 minutes per sensor to get them squeaky clean, and prior to the X bodies I only had to clean them every 90 days or so. I'm guessing part of my problem is being out of new sensor swabs. I've just ordered a restock of all my Visible Dust components from B&H. Additionally, cleaning sensors in the dry winter air is more challenging because the dust is considerably more stubborn.

I'm headed down to my local supplier in a few minutes to see what he stocks in the way of swabs. My X's are clean and I will use them for my assignment this evening, but the 800 still needs some work and it is going to get a work out this week so it needs to be spotless.

Wrei wrote:
Jeff, never heard that term before. Flying cigar maybe, but not that one (of course the F-102 inspired the "coke bottle" term for it's fuselage along with many of the century series supersonic jets). Guess you'll have to change the term for the 787.

Right you are Wrei. If we ever get the 787 into KPHX on a regular basis, I promise to come up with something better than "Carbon Fiber Sewer Pipe"

I really should visit more often.... Thanks guys for the comments on my movie, I should certainly do more!

nrferguson wrote:
Jurgen
I thought I recognised the Loch with island - I've never been to Port Moak (and didn't recognise the name) but my father-in-law and I had plenty of trout out of Loch Leven when I was younger!
Niall
Great video, by the way - what's the square meter in one of the sailplanes?
Funny to hear that you come from that neck of the woods! It is a beautiful area!

The first glider I was flying (2 seater) has 18 square meters as wing surface, the second (one seater) around 12.5.

stevez wrote:
I loved everything about that video, Jurgen, not least the chance to vicariously experience a winch launch. We don't do enough of that here in the USA: most clubs can't muster the manpower to properly staff a winch operation, and commercial operators won't touch it.
Steve, thanks! I'm a big fan of winch launches, much more powerful and fun to fly. Do you know why the commercial operators don't touch it? Is it because of a (perceived) safety issue or something else?


gerov wrote:
Jurgen,
that is a great movie - looks like you had a lot of fun. Were you flying solo?

Gero
Gero, thanks! It was a blast and I'm certainly planning on returning there. The first few flights I did were with an instructor to get used to flying on the ridge, after that I could fly solo as well (the second part of the movie, after crossing the lake)

Jeff, nothing wrong with some good old big stuff!



They pay my bills at least

Although I have to admit that gliders have their charm as well!



Funny enough, both categories don't see nearly enough posts here compared to all the military stuff. Seems like I have to start posting more!

For anyone near Fredericksburg (TX) next weekend, it might be worth keeping an eye on this: http://www.flywithlevi.com/