Gallery Update: Quick Shots in Redding

During my fuel stop in Redding on my solo cross-country flight, I got in a few quick shots of anything that caught my eye, which wasn't much, but something DID catch my eye as I was taxiing out for departure.

Redding (RDD) 1

Preview:

English Electric/Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) Canberra Mk20 (N229CA) parked in the Civil Air Patrol facilities. An Australian license-build version of the British English Electric Canberra first-generation jet-powered medium bomber from the 1950s era. Formerly registered as A84-229 with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). After a bit of researching, turns out this aircraft is destined for the Northern California Veteran's Museum & Heritage Center currently in the works down in Anderson, California, a stone's throw away from Redding.

Pilot Life: Two Flights in a Day

After a foggy weekend that wasn't at all in any of the forecasts kept me from doing the solo commercial cross-country flight I wanted to do, I finally got a decent day to get back in the air today. Unfortunately, the weather today didn't improve in time for me to be able to do this particular cross-country flight in time as it would've conflicted with my personal schedule. As far as my luck and fortunes in flight training is concerned, what else is new??? So I stayed local today and got two separate flights in, one during the late afternoon and one quick one at night for night currency purposes.

Fine day to spread N5174E's wings.

For the first flight during the afternoon, I flew down to Eugene and practiced some landings there; it's been a while since I flew into a towered airport. Something else specific to my commercial requirements include doing some night landings at a towered airport (while the tower is still in operation!) and I'm thinking Eugene will a be good place to practice these landings in the near future. So the purpose of this first flight for today was to re-familiarize myself with Eugene Airport. After all the pre-flight/before-takeoff business, I got airborne and made my way down to Eugene, where I did three laps in the pattern for Runway 34R before returning back to Albany; I picked up VFR Flight Following by talking with ATC at Cascade Approach during the en route phase between the two airports. After landing and following a quick stop at the fuel pumps to top off tanks, I stowed the airplane back at the hangar.

After this flight, I had some church activities that were coincidentally happening in Albany by the time I got back on the ground, so I stuck around to kill some time and saved myself from the extra trip up and down the freeway. Of course, that made for a long day! While I was at the activity, I contemplated whether or not I should do a quick night flight afterwards because my night currency lapsed just a few days ago. In the end, I decided to do this second flight since it was a nice, clear night and I was already in the area; it was also too good of an opportunity to pass up while conditions were optimal. So once again, I returned to the Albany Airport and got ready to fly!

After a quick walk-around/pre-flight/before-takeoff business, I hopped in and got airborne off Runway 34 and did three identical laps in the traffic pattern, doing a full-stop landing followed by a taxi-back for the subsequent departure, just like the last time I did my flights towards night currency at Albany. After the third full-stop landing, I was done and night-current, so I taxied back to the hangar and stowed airplane for the second time of the day. It has been a long couple days, with plans and objectives just not working out in my favor, not to mention coming off the heels of a somewhat a frustrating weekend. But at least I got something taken care of today...

Gallery Update: Sunset Spotting in Albany

After getting back from my quick cross-country flight to Roseburg and back, I had a little bit of sunlight to play with after stowing the airplane and some pilots were heading out to fly. So I decided to practice some more panning shots and take advantage of the light from the setting sun!

Albany (S12) 15

Preview:

Van's RV-10 rolling out after landing on 34.

Cessna 172 Skyhawk (N3966F) departing on 34. A 1958 original model with the square tail fin, making this a true General Aviation gem!

Pilot Life: Quick Cross Country to Roseburg

So while I wait for the day of my Instrument checkride, I'm going to start knocking out some requirements for the Commercial Rating and overlap some of my training. I have well-over 250 hours of flight time logged, so all I have are specific flights that I need to do. One thing I need to do is a 250 nautical mile cross-country from one point to another, which I'll probably do in the next day or so weather permitting. So for today's flight, I decided to do a shorter solo cross-country flight down to Roseburg and back as a personal warm-up to get back into the habits and procedures of VFR cross-country flying.

Took N5174E out for a round-robin cross-country!

Nothing's really left me and I haven't forgotten anything important regarding cross-country flying. It was uneventful going down and back. On the way down to Roseburg, I utilized ATC services and picked up VFR Flight Following. As for the return trip following the full-stop and taxi-back, I went without and kept eyes outside the cockpit at all times. It was a good day to fly and a good way to get back into that cross-country mindset. I got back to Albany safely and uneventfully before calling it a day.

Gallery Update: A Quaint Little Airpark!

I flew up to a little airfield called Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark, a privately-owned, public-use airport located just south of city limits for Hillsboro to inquire about some multi-engine flight training opportunities after receiving a lead from my flight instructor. The airport is family-owned and operated, which is quite unusual. It is definitely one of more interesting places I've flown to! I went to check out the multi-engine trainer aircraft, but there was at least one other interesting sighting I was glad to photograph!

Stark's Twin Oaks (7S3)

Preview:

Piper PA-23-180 Apache/Seguin Geronimo (N1231P) sitting in a hangar. This airplane is the sole reason why I flew up to Twin Oaks for, to take a look at as a potential multi-engine trainer somewhere down the line.

Cockpit of the Twin Oaks Airpark's Apache. The folks I met were nice enough to let me hop inside to check out the interior!

De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Mk 1 Beaver (N221RT) parked on the grass. My first time seeing and photographing what's perhaps one of the greatest bush planes ever built! And given that this one has floats just goes to show that de Havilland Canada made a truly versatile workhorse of an airplane! Catching a glimpse of this aircraft at Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark is a good example why as a plane-spotter/aviation photographer, you should look in unusual places for the hidden gems you might come across!

Pilot Life: Cross Country to Twin Oaks

We're getting some nice weather starting today and going forward for a couple days and I'm going to take advantage of it! For today's flight, I decided to follow up on a lead my flight instructor gave to me regarding multi-engine flight training by flying up to Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark, a privately-owned, public use, family-owned and operated airfield just south of Hillsboro! So once again, I saddled up the Skyhawk and made the trip in an afternoon. I made the trip a cross-country, my first one of the year and the first cross-country flight I've done in two months!

Taking N5174E up to a quaint little airpark!

After the usual pre-flight business, I got airborne off Runway 34 in Albany and headed north; due to some partial cloud coverage en route, I navigated by way of Independence and McMinnville (what I call the western route up the valley!) and maintained VFR. With ADS-B on hand and eyes outside the cockpit, I made my way up Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark. Tucked away surrounded by hills, I navigated around the terrain and got sight of the airfield. I crossed over midfield and set for the left downwind for Runway 2, which happens to slope uphill slightly! After an uneventful landing on the short and narrow runway, I taxied over to the ramp and parked the airplane... in the mud! Sorry uncle Alan!

After securing the airplane, I got out and looked around, talked to some people, and got some contact information. And of course, I got a good look at the multi-engine aircraft I'm interested in flying for training!

Piper PA-23 Apache/Seguin Geronimo (N1231P), the reason why I flew up to Twin Oaks for, to take a look at for potentially doing my multi-engine training in.

I gotta say, I was quite impressed with the atmosphere this particular airpark community had! After I was done, I got back in the Skyhawk I flew up in and got ready to return home southbound. After starting up the engine, I taxied uphill towards Runway 20 and held short to do run-ups. After run-ups, I got airborne and followed the airpark's noise abatement procedures before heading southbound. It was a routine VFR cross-country flight and before I returned to Albany, I headed down to Corvallis for my 50 nautical mile leg of the trip in (yes, it's another triangle route!).

Another uneventful leg followed by a direct downwind entry for Runway 35 into Corvallis, which ended with a touch-and-go. After getting back up in the air, I turned back to the northeast towards Albany, where I landed back on the same runway I departed from two hours earlier. After a quick stop to top off fuel tanks, I returned the plane back to the hangar and called it a successful outing with a few things to ponder and plan over for the future.

Gallery Update: Mitsubishi Solitaire Sighting in Salem!

I'm excited about this one because I finally got to photograph an aircraft type that I've always wanted to see: the Mitsubishi MU-2! I noticed on FlightAware last night that one was coming into Salem so I decided right there and then that I'll head out to see it arrive.

Salem (SLE) 17

Preview:

Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Solitaire (N66FF) taxiing in after arriving from Denver-Centennial. I've always wanted to see one of these! The Solitaire is considered to be the ultimate model of the short-fuselage variant of the MU-2 family, featuring improved engines and increased fuel capacity; 57 Solitaires were built between 1979 and 1985. Because I'm half-Japanese and biased as such, I think the Mitsubishi MU-2 is one of the coolest twin-engine turboprops out there!

Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 (N77DB) parked on the ramp. Arrived earlier this morning from Salinas, California and scheduled to return there later in the afternoon.

Pilot Life: More Solo Practice Approaches

Another gorgeous day, another great opportunity to go up solo and practice some approaches!

Not to mention putting in the hours on N5174E!

I got airborne after pre-flight, engine start and run-ups. After calling up Cascade Approach, I requested first the ILS 17 approach into Corvallis, which would end with a missed approach. I then followed up with a practice RNAV 17 approach back into Corvallis, again, ending with a missed approach. Not surprisingly, there were a lot of pilots out flying taking advantage of the nice weather, so ATC gave me a few traffic advisories while I was out and about getting the practice I needed.

I was going to shoot the VOR-A approach into Albany, but I decided against it since there were a lot of other aircraft around. ATC eventually cut me loose and I was on my own to get back to Albany. I did a touch-and-go landing followed by a lap in the traffic pattern before I made a full-stop landing. After a quick stop at the fuel pumps to top off my tanks, I taxied the plane back to the hangar, where I put it away and called it another day of flying.

Gallery Update: Pitts Sighting in Albany!

After getting back from my flight, I managed to get a ramp shot of an unusual visitor for Albany after refueling.

Albany (S12) 14

Pitts S-1S Special (N69TW) parked on the ramp.

Pilot Life: Sunday Flyer Shooting Instrument Approaches

Considering the good weather we've had the past few days, I decided to make an exception with regards to flying on Sundays and actually went for a flight since today was just absolutely gorgeous!

Taking N5174E up on a Sunday drive flight!

After pre-flight preparations, I hopped in the plane and got the engine started. After taxiing to Runway 34 and doing my run-ups, I got airborne. From there, I wasted no time in getting in contact with Cascade Approach to request VFR Flight Following as well as the practice VOR/DME 17 approach into Corvallis for my first practice Instrument approach. I also want to give a huge shout-out to the ATC folks throughout the country right now as they're working to keep the U.S. airspace system safe and dependable without pay because of the current government shutdown that's been going on since the holidays! Folks like these just goes to show that we live in a fine country (insert partial political sarcasm here!).

As per the usual, I briefed the approach, flew the DME arc until getting established on the final approach course. The approach terminated by going missed and I then flew the published missed-approach procedure before requesting the next Instrument approach I wanted to practice, which would be the RNAV 17 back into Corvallis. Again, I briefed the approach and proceeded towards the initial approach fix, which I crossed twice since I had to turn around to get established on the final approach course by the second crossing; ATC also requested that I report crossing the initial approach fix inbound!

From there, it was another routine approach, stepping down in altitude as appropriate, as I've practiced many times before with this particular approach! I went missed again and flew the published missed approach procedure (as depicted on the approach plate!). ATC kept me on their screens and had me continue flying the missed approach procedure a little longer than usual because of some local air traffic in the area. Again, shout-out to these guys for what they're doing! Eventually, ATC at Cascade Approach did cut me loose and I was free to return back to Albany.

Given my current position, I made a 45 degree entry to the left downwind for Runway 34 and made an uneventful landing after and hour-and-a-half of flying. Prior to returning the plane to my uncle's hangar, I topped off the fuel tanks (for tomorrow's flight with my instructor) before calling it another successful flight putting everything I've learned in recent weeks into good practice!

Gallery Update: Quick Ramp Shots at Albany

I got some quick ramp shots while refueling after I landed back in Albany following a solo flight today.

Albany (S12) 13

Cessna 560 Citation V (N560G) parked on the ramp. Saw this here before, but the last time I photographed this beauty, there was a lot of clutter around it due to the ramp re-paving that was going on back then. Glad I got a much cleaner shot this time!

Pilot Life: Time for Another VOR Check!

The good ol' Skyhawk was due for another VOR Check, so I saddled up the airplane and made a quick local flight down to Corvallis and back to get that done! It was also a nice day to fly after a few days of rain and lousy weather so I wasted no time with the opportunity!

Keeping N5174E and her equipment inspections in check. In the case of the VOR Check, it's cool that the pilot can do it!

Following pre-flight preparations, start-up, taxiing, and run-ups, I got airborne off Runway 34 and pointed the nose towards Corvallis. After getting the local weather for Corvallis via AWOS, I made my way towards the airport and got set up to land on Runway 35 after crossing over at midfield above pattern altitude. After an uneventful landing, I cleared the runway and taxied over to the designated VOR check station on the main ramp. I parked the plane and kept the engine running while I did the VOR inspection by tuning into the navigational station and recording any bearing errors, which thankfully stayed within the limitations as prescribed in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).

With the VOR Check complete, it was time for me to head back to Albany. I taxied to Runway 35 and got airborne. After gaining some altitude, I turned to the northeast towards Albany and decided to have some quick fun by getting some landing practice in. I did one touch-and-go landing followed by a lap in the pattern before making a full-stop landing to end the flight. After refueling the tanks, I taxied the plane over to the hangar where I put it away and called it another good flight.

Gallery Update: Evergreen Museum Revisit, Return to Square One!

I am absolutely thrilled about today as my dad and I were able to return to my "square one" in aviation with a re-visit to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon! This is where it really started for me over a decade ago now, when my passion for flying was re-ignited and I fell in love with aviation all over again! It is definitely appropriate to finally return here once again (marking this my third visit to the museum and my first time shooting the exhibits with DSLR!) after having just celebrated a decade of doing aviation photography as of 2018.

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (Revisit)

Preview:

United States Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (152070) painted to look like BuNo 149996. 

Cockpit of the McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II (63-7647). I don't know why, but I stupidly forgot to get a photo of the full airframe of this plane! 

Curtiss-Wright CW-A22 Falcon (N500G). From what I understand, this is a rare aircraft as there are supposedly four frames left in the world.

United States Air Force North American F-100F Super Sabre (56-3832).

Douglas DC-3A-197 (NC16070). A former United Airlines bird!

United States Air Force Republic F-105G Thunderchief (62-4432).

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Fresco (115 White).

United States Air Force Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) A-7D Corsair II (69-6230).

United States Marine Corps North American FJ-3 Fury (136119).

United States Air Force North American F-86H Sabre (53-1251). Formerly displayed at Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico.

Focke Wulf Fw-190A9 replica.

Messerschmitt Me-262A-1C Schwalbe replica (110999). Representing an aircraft of Jadgeswader 7 (11/JG-7) based at Brandenburg-Briest, flown by Leutnant Alfred Ambs in early 1945. While flying the ME-262, Ambs would become an ace, shooting down seven US B-17s and one P-51.

United States Air Force Republic (General Motors) F-84F Thunderstreak (51-9522).

Auster Model K AOP.6 (N52874). A British military air observation aircraft that with manufacturing lineage tracing back to Taylorcraft.

Nieuport 11 Bebe replica (N114).

Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker replica (N10717).

Hispano HA-200A Saeta (N631HA). A 1950s two-seat jet trainer built in Spain, my first time seeing one of these!

Shenyang JJ-2 (N271JM), a Chinese license-build of the MiG-15.

Main cabin of the museum's DC-3, which was open for people to step inside of. My dad and I have never actually set foot inside a DC-3 until today!

DC-3 flight deck. I'm thinking if I had my complex and tail-wheel endorsements along with the multi-engine add-on rating, I could probably fly one of these! I think I'll need a type-rating for the DC-3 though...

View of the DC-3's main cabin from the rear.

Hughes H-4 Hercules (NX37602).

United States Air Force Northrop F-5E Tiger II (74-1556). Former military aggressor aircraft first with the Navy as 741556 before being transferred to the Air Force.

United States Navy Grumman TF-9J Cougar (146417) in Blue Angels markings.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29S Fulcrum (23 Blue). An ex-Moldovan Air Force fighter painted in Russian Air Force colors.

United States Navy Grumman F-14D Tomcat (164343).

United States Air Force Convair F-106A Delta Dart (59-0137).

Evergreen International Airlines Boeing 747-132SF (N481EV) serving as part of the attraction for the Wings & Waves waterpark.

United States Air Force Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (56-1368).

United States Navy North American Rockwell T-2C Buckeye (158312).

United States Air Force Lockheed F-94C Starfire (51-13575).

United States Air Force McDonnell Douglas VC-9C (73-1683), a military VIP transport of the DC-9-32.

NASA Northrop T-38A Talon (63-8224). First delivered to the United States Air Force.

NASA Lockheed (SABCA) F-104G Starfighter (N813NA).

United States Air Force Ryan AQM-34N Firebee (67-21596). The Firebee served as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as well as aerial target drone; it was also one of the first jet-powered drones.

United States Air Force McDonnell F-101A Voodoo (53-2418).

United States Air Force Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II (80-0186). A veteran of the Gulf War, this aircraft was struck in the tail by an Iraqi SAM and sustained over 300 shrapnel holes during operation Desert Storm. The aircraft was offline for 11 days and after 139 hours of repairs, it rejoined air operations. THAT'S how tough the A-10 really is!

United States Army Grumman OV-1D Mohawk (67-18902).

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF Fishbed (84 Red). An ex-Polish Air Force MiG-21 painted in Soviet Air Force colors. Previously displayed at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas.

North American X-15-3 replica (56-6672).

United States Air Force Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird (61-7971).

United States Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle (73-0089). Retired from service in 2009, this F-15 was the oldest, longest serving F-15 in the United States Air Force inventory.  It was turned over to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, for preservation at McMinnville. This was the sixth production F-15 built at the McDonnell Douglas plant in St. Louis, and was the 23rd F-15 to enter service with the United States Air Force.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger (339 Red). First delivered to the Nationalen Volksarmee (National People's Army/East German Air Force). After the fall of communism and the reunification of Germany, this Flogger was absorbed into the Luftwaffe as 20+16 in 1990 and remained there until retirement, being occasionally loaned to the United States for evaluation as an adversary aircraft.

Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk mock-up.

United States Air Force Douglas C-47A Skytrain (43-15512).

Beechcraft 2000A Starship 1 (N74TD). The story of the Starship regarding it's commercial failure is an unfortunate one, considering how cool these planes look.

NASA Grumman American G-1159 Gulfstream II/STA (N947NA).

Douglas F5D-1 Skylanger (139208/NASA708). Previously part of the old Merle Maine collection out of Ontario, Oregon before coming to McMinnville in 2013. Another rare example as only four airframes were built. This particular frame was one of two built for the United States Navy. When contracts cancelled in favor of the Vought F8U Crusader this and one of two prototype aircraft were later used by NASA for various flight test studies.

North American Rockwell NA-287 Sabreliner 50 (N50CR). The sole Sabreliner 50 ever built, specifically for experimental purposes.

Evergreen International Airlines Boeing 747-212BSF (N482EV).