Gallery Update: Chasing a Fairchild-Dornier 328JET in Salem

One aircraft type I've waited years to photograph is the Fairchild-Dornier 328JET, which I see as a unique design and my opportunity to see one happened to be today. And better yet, I didn't have to go far to see this one! Shout out to FlightAware.com for this one as I noticed that Key Lime Air was bringing in one of their 328JETs on a charter flight into Salem today so I justified staying awake after getting off work this morning to go see this unique regional airliner.

Key Lime Air is headquartered in the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area at the Centennial Airport in Dove Valley, Colorado. The airline was founded in 1997 and it's main business model includes public charter flights (utilizing two Fairchild Swearingen Metro 23s, a single Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, and four Fairchild-Dornier 328JETs) and cargo feeder service (utilizing cargo-only Metroliner variants and Piper PA-31 Navajos) on the behalf of UPS. Key Lime Air's passenger service sector does business as Denver Air Connection on both scheduled charters and regular scheduled services, the latter beginning in late 2015 to a limited number of destinations feeding into Denver International. Here's the link:

Salem (SLE) 12

Photo preview:

Key Lime Air (d/b/a Denver Air Connection) Fairchild-Dornier 328-310 328JET (N398DC) back-taxiing to access the Salem Air Center FBO ramp after arriving on 31 as LYM3307. Due to construction being done at the airport and with the wind direction at the time, aircraft had to back-taxi utilizing a section of Runway 16/34. 

LYM3307 just about to turn on its taxi to the FBO. Note the high-wing design of this unique regional jet, which is capable of carrying up to 30 passengers, a pretty small number for a jet.

Head-on view of the 328JET. Based off the Dornier 328 turboprop commuter airliner which first flew in 1991, the 328JET was developed as a result of  public perception of noise and reliability issues with turboprops and first flew about seven years later. The original 328 turboprop was initially produced by Dornier Flugzeugwerke in Germany but later acquired by Fairchild Aircraft, which continued production and eventually designed the jet version. Compared to the 217 turboprop versions built of which 166 remaining in service, only 100 328JETs were built and about 54 of them remain in service.

LYM3307 just about to position for parking.

Oregon Army National Guard Sikorsky HH-60M (S-70A) Black Hawk (10-20307) arriving over 34.

LYM3307 having just parked. This is probably the largest jet I've seen at McNary Field since SkyWest Airlines stopped flying into Salem with their CRJ-200s on scheduled flights to Salt Lake City nearly eight years ago! Although, I know for a fact that Boeing 737s have landed at Salem in the past too.

Airstairs deployed. Like most small regional jets, the Fairchild-Dornier 328JET has steps built into its door. Makes sense since this regional airliner was designed to fly into places where typical ramp service equipment would be limited or unavailable.

Size comparison between the 328JET and a Cessna 550 Citation II.

Cessna 550 Citation II (N447SF) parked on the FBO's ramp.

One last shot of Key Lime Air's Fairchild-Dornier 328JET disembarking passengers. You can tell that this is a charter with the red carpet and all the nice looking cars that have driven right up to the airplane!

Gallery Update: Unique Sightings at Independence State Airport

I had some family members visiting this weekend so we went out this morning for a little breakfast outing to the Starduster Cafe and of course, I brought my camera with me. There were a few unique things that were parked on the ramp today so this was a worthwhile trip. When it comes to small airports like this, there always seems to be unique things to see. Here's the link:

Independence (7S5) 3

Preview:

Gyroflug SC 01 Speed Canard (N5HN). An unconventional sports plane produced in Germany in the 1980s and 1990s, the Speed Canard was a was an all-new design inspired by the design of the Rutan VariEze (without input from Rutan, which is a nice way of saying it's sort of a knock-off!). The aircraft is made out of composite materials and was actually the first composite canard design to achieve certification anywhere in the world. It's got a two-seat tandem cockpit and canopy design derived from the Grob Twin Astir sailplane, and the nosewheel of the tricycle undercarriage is retractable, like the Eze aircraft variants. A unique feature of the control system is that the twin rudders operate independently, allowing both rudders to be deflected outwards simultaneously, cancelling each other's yaw, but acting as airbrakes.

Schweizer SGU 2-22 glider (NC2202). Note the old Canadian tail code C-FPBJ. The SGU 2-22 is a two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York. It was designed to replace the two-place training gliders surplussed at the end of World War II and until the 1960s, was the most numerous two-place training glider in the United States. 

CZAW Mermaid (N42SK). An amphibious aircraft built by Czech Sports Aircraft (and later Czech Aircraft Works), the Mermaid has a composite hull and aluminum wings, with pusher configuration engine and a cruciform tail. I really like the paint job on this aircraft!

Cessna 140 (N3539V).

Cessna 150F (N6952F).

Frontal view of the Gyroflug SC 01.

Interstate S-1A Cadet (N37617). Special thanks to the owner of the hangar for allowing me to take a few photos!

Gallery Update: Warbirds over the West 2016 Recap

The first aviation event for the year 2016 I get to attend happened to be right here close to home in Salem, Oregon! Once again, the B-17 Alliance Group hosted another great fly-in and fundraiser known as Warbirds Over the West, to help them raise money to go towards the restoration and making airworthy their Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress known as the Lacey Lady. Like last year, there's a vintage car show, former military vehicles, static display of aircraft, as well as some flight activity. Of course, I go to see the various airplanes and helicopters! Here are some links:

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - Static Display

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - B-25D Mitchell "Grumpy"

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - West Coast Ravens

Warbirds Over the West 2016 - Arrivals & Departures

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Photo Preview:

Static Display

There was quite a decent variety of aircraft (both military and vintage) on display this year, despite that there were fewer aircraft this year compared to last year, most likely due to the weather we've been having; most of this week and much of this morning was either rain or overcast and I imagine the weather was a factor in keeping many pilots and their planes from showing up. Even so, there were some neat things to see and this year, I got to see some new ones too.

Smith Miniplane CEG (N6891C). This has got to be the tiniest biplane I've ever seen! 

Oregon Army National Guard Sikorsky HH-60M (S-70A) Black Hawk (10-20300) from the local Salem-McNary Army National Guard Base on display.

Oregon Army National Guard Eurocopter UH-72A Lakota (12-72235) also from the local Army National Guard base in Salem on display.

United States Coast Guard Aérospatiale/Eurocopter MH-65D (SA-366G-1) Dolphin (6514) from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend on display. This is year celebrates 100 years of U.S. Coast Guard aviation so this aircraft has been painted in a centennial retro livery. This was one of the things I've been wanting to photograph since the Coast Guard commemorated their aviation centennial so I'm glad the North Bend crew sent this Dolphin out here!

Van's RV-3B (N159SJ) on display. Nicknamed "The City of Salem" adorned with an image of the state capitol building; it's clear this RV owner is a proud Salemite! This livery also mimics "The City of Springfield" livery found on the Granville Brothers GeeBee Model Z that's on display at the Seattle Museum of Flight.

An unpainted Van's RV-9A (N49TN) on display.

Van's RV-9A (N339PJ) on display.

Piper J-3 Cub (NC3603K) on display. Note the wooden propeller. 

Van's RV-4 (N504JT) on display.

Grumman (McKinnon) G-44 Super Widgeon (N45PV) on display. This is one of 70 airframes converted by McKinnon Enterprises in Sandy, OR, featuring re-engining with 270 hp (201 kW) Avco Lycoming GO-480-B1D flat-six piston engines, and various other modifications, including modern avionics, three-bladed propellers, larger windows, improved soundproofing, emergency exits, and increased Maximum Takeoff Weight. Original Widgeons utilized two Ranger L-440-5 air-cooled inverted six-cylinder inline engine, at 200 hp (150 kW) each.

Cessna 195A Businessliner (N1010D) on display, another true vintage! Considered by many pilots and collectors to be one of the finest classics ever built, the Cessna 195 is much sought-after in the used aircraft market. According to the owner of this aircraft pictured, this airframe was utilized as a commuter airliner by Midway Airlines operating from Chicago.

Speaking of Cessna aircraft, here's a shot I'm proud of: two different types and generations of Cessna aircraft!

ERCO 415-C Ercoupe (N3095H) on display, another true vintage! 

I heard the Ercoupe cockpit and flight controls were unique (such as a car steering wheel-like control yoke) and I had to see for myself! Interior shot of N3095H.

Ryan PT-22 (ST-3KR) Recruit (N60805) having just arrived. It doesn't get anymore vintage than this!

Van's RV-4 (N3121L) just after arriving.

Beechcraft (D45) T-34B Mentor (N9EJ) having just arrived. Formerly with the United States Navy.

Van's RV-9A (N561VB) taxiing to the ramp.

Van's RV-9A (N625DK) on display. Note the wooden propeller.

Van's RV-7 (N266SW) on display.

CC&F Harvard Mk IV (NX1466) nicknamed "Time Machine" on display.

Maule MX-7-180C (N1043B) on display.

CAB GY-20 Minicab Coupe (N3772) taxiing to be displayed. The Minicab Coupe is of a post-war French design built mainly for utility purposes.

Historic Flight Foundation's North American B-25D Mitchell "Grumpy"

Like last year, the Historic Flight Foundation out of Everett, WA brought their North American B-25D Mitchell medium bomber known as "Grumpy" (N88972)down for the event and offered rides.

Taxiing out for departure.

Take-off rotation.

A perfectly-framed take-off shot!

First photo pass.

Second photo pass.

Third and final pass with bomb bay doors open.

Landing and roll-out.

Taxiing back to parking.

The West Coast Ravens Formation Team

Again, like last year, a formation of Van's RVs comprised of members from the West Coast Ravens performed a couple of formation passes before landing.

First pass.

Second pass.

Third and final pass.

First formation break.

Second formation break.

The flight leader, a Van's RV-8 (N526KP).

Van's RV-8 (N288DC), the #2 of the formation.

Van's RV-7 (N67683), the #3 of the formation. There are also photos of this particular airframe equipped with floats, believe it or not! That means, this airframe in particular is interchangeable between conventional gear and floats.

Van's RV-8 (N805K), the #4 of the formation. Gotta love the 8-ball on the vertical stabilizer!

Van's RV-6 (N726RV), the #5 of the formation. Note the wooden propeller.

Van's RV-4 (N85BR), the #6 of the formation. Also equipped with a wooden propeller.

And the line-up!

These guys sure make it look professional! When they lined up to park, they did it in a synchronized fashion!

Regular Planespotting Highlights

And while the event's were in full-swing, I got some ramp-side spotting photos of some of the general aviation traffic.

Beechcraft B200 Super King Air (N132N) taxiing to the Salem Air Center FBO.

Piper PA-32RT-300T (N39639) Turbo Saratoga taxiing out for departure.

Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk (N2478C) taxiing to parking. Note the beloved Warner Bros. Looney Toons and Merrie Melodies character Tweety decal on the vertical stabilizer!

AMD Alarus CH2000 (N269AM) taxiing to parking.

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser (N842TT) taxiing to parking. Note the STOL kit equipped at the wingtips.

Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian (N713WA). This is the closest I've ever gotten to a full-on prop-disc!

Cessna 152L (N17251) taxiing to parking. 

Lancair LC41-550FG (later known as the Cessna 400 TTx T240) Columbia 400 (N2507L) airborne after departure from 34.

Mooney M20C Ranger (N5MD) ariborne after departure from 34.