Gallery Update: Two States, still in the Portland-area

This morning, I decided to make a trip to the Portland area. First, I drove up to Vancouver, WA to check out the Pearson Air Museum, located at Pearson Field, one of the oldest operating airfields in the United States, part of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve. In the past, there were several aircraft on display at the museum; that was when the Fort Vancouver National Trust managed the museum. However, on February 5, 2013, the National Park Service ended the cooperative agreement regarding management of the museum and all privately owned aircraft once on display at the museum were removed. So, the aircraft to be seen at the museum was somewhat disappointing but not entirely a waste since the it displayed some rather rare and unusual looking aircraft (see photos below). After my visit to the Pearson Air Museum, I drove back into Oregon and went over to Portland International Airport and did a little spotting since I was already in the area. Here are the links, from the same general metropolitan area, but from two different states:

Pearson Air Museum

Portland (PDX) 12

Photo Preview:

Voisin LA-III replica (N176V) hung up for display in the museum hangar. The Voisin III is of French origin and was used during World War I. It served as a two seat bomber and ground attack aircraft, one of the first of its kind. It was also notable as being the first aircraft in the war to win an aerial dogfight and shoot down an enemy aircraft.

The rest of the aircraft that were on display at the museum in a single frame. Hanging in the upper left is a Wise OR-71-B (N26RW) built for air racing. Just below that is a Ryan Navion (N4799K). Just to the right of the Navion is a 1929-built Curtiss Wright Travel Air B-4000 (N13907). Both the Navion and the Travel Air are airworthy and are used to give rides during the summer season. In the foreground (and clearly incomplete) is a St Croix Pietenpol Aerial.

SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-700 (N609SK) in Delta Connection colors taxiing to the gate after arrival from Seattle. This aircraft is a former Atlantic Southeast Airlines regional jet (as N701EV) before being transferred to the SkyWest fleet as a result of SkyWest, Inc. acquiring ASA and consolidating it with ExpressJet.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-332/ER (N16065) with the commemorative Andrew Young sticker adorned on the nose departing PDX for Amsterdam. 

Horizon Air Bombardier DCH-8-402 Q400 (N401QX) in Washington State University Cougars livery departing PDX.

A rather colorful SeaPort Airlines Cessna 208B Caravan (N1154F) taxiing out for departure.

Gallery Update: Going "Hawaiian" At PDX

This morning, I decided to drive up to PDX just for the heck of it. I've gone the entire month without any major updates and zero photography. I figured since I'm off work for Thanksgiving and most of the holiday travelers are already where they need to be (i.e. very little traffic on the road!), this would be a great opportunity to go out and enjoy something I always love to and to practice up on photographing the movement of airplanes. As always, here's the link:

Portland (PDX) 11

The main reason I wanted to get a spotting trip in is because of all the mainline carriers I've photographed here in the U.S. and particularly in Portland, I still haven't gotten a photo of a Hawaiian Airlines livery (that, plus Sun Country Airlines, but that'll have to wait for another day...). That all changed today when I finally got my shot of a Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330, plus a few other things I haven't seen before!

Preview:

Something new since the last time I was at PDX was the expansion of Delta Air Line's regional arm, with Compass Airlines doing daily flights connecting PDX with Los Angeles. A Compass Airlines Embraer E-175LR (N608CZ) in Delta Connection colors taxis out for departure to LAX.

Say 'Aloha' to the main reason why I drove up to PDX! Hawaiian Air's Airbus A330-243 (N382HA) taxiing out for departure as the daily flight to Honolulu.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 (N527AS) beginning its taxi for departure. Note the new Boeing/Aviation Partners Split Scimitar Winglets.

Another one I've been waiting a long time to photograph: Horizon Air's Bombardier DHC-8-402 Dash 8 Q400 (N437QX) in Boise State University Broncos colors on push-back.

Another highlight about this trip was catching a few other heavies in addition to the Hawaiian Air A330: Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-332/ER (N191DN) taxiing out for departure to Tokyo-Narita (NRT).

Though I would've LOVED to see the new American Airlines livery this trip, I just have to appreciate the old, soon to be retro paint job on an MD-80 while they still last because these "Mad Dogs" are not going to be around much longer... American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (N70504) arriving from Dallas-Fort Worth.

SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ-702 (N219AG) in Alaska colors taxiing to the gate after arrival. Though a fairly common sight here in the Pacific Northwest, there are only nine of these CRJs flying the Alaska Airlines colors so any opportunity to photograph them is a coveted one!

This one caught me by surprise but appreciated the sight of it nonetheless! Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 (N560AS) bearing the beautiful and special Hawaiian theme "Spirit of the Islands" taxiing out for departure. To think I got a double-dosage of Hawaiian-themed airplanes in one spotting trip is just awesome! Makes me wanna go to Hawaii now... Also note the split scimitar winglet.

When I first saw this, I thought it might be the Oregon Ducks-themed Q400 because of the yellow on the engine cowlings. Much to my surprise, I was wrong! Slowing down upon arrival is Horizon Air's Bombardier DHC-8-402 Dash 8 Q400 (N443QX) in the colors of the University of Alaska at Anchorage Seawolves. Turns out there are TWO Alaska college colors now...

The longest variant of the "Baby Boeing" series, the Boeing 737-990 (N320AS) operated by Alaska Airlines taxiing for departure. Alaska Airlines was the launch customer for the Boeing 737-900 and this variant is proof of such an incredible legacy of the 737 type. While the Boeing 747, the "Queen of the Skies" may get all the glory as one of Boeing's most iconic aircraft, the 737 is no doubt the true workhorse thanks to its many variants and great versatility.

SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ-200LR (N951SW) parked at the ramp. SkyWest house colors have become a rarity at PDX ever since the airline ceased Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia feeder flights for the Pacific Northwest via United Express on September 1, 2014.

This photo tells it all: No more SkyWest EMB-120s. On past spotting trips, there was always at least one Brasilia sitting on the ramp to be seen from the parking garage vantage point I always photograph from. But that all changed when United Airlines started facing stiffer competition at PDX and decided to cease all feeder flights around the Pacific Northwest. EMB-120s that were dedicated for use out of PDX been sent down to LAX and SFO for feeder flights down there and will eventually be phased out of the SkyWest fleet.

SeaPort Airlines Cessna 208B Caravan (N1026V) occupies part of the ramp once utilized by SkyWest's EMB-120s.

Another heavy by a Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-332/ER (N1602). This is the daily Delta flight from Amsterdam. I was totally expecting an Airbus A330 for this arrival but as it turns out, Delta switches equipment on the PDX-AMS route depending on the season. In this case, the Boeing 767 is used during the cold winter months.

Compass Airlines Embraer E-175LR (N637CZ) in Delta Connection colors slowing down upon arrival from LAX. I got two Compass Airlines E-Jets in one spotting trip!

A Gulfstream Aerospace G-V (N83CW) departing PDX.

Gallery Update: Hillsboro Airport Air Fair 2014

One month after the 2014 Oregon International Air Show, not to mention after a well-deserved break from any major aviation photography and planespotting, I found myself back at the Portland-Hillsboro Airport. This time, I came up to attend the annual Hillsboro Air Fair hosted by the Port of Portland, which I started attending last year. For a small event, it was a good one because I still got a decent amount of pictures from the displays and the bus tour around the airport. Due to high winds, the event had to be shut down earlier than usual but I still had a good time. In addition to the displays, I also did a little spotting of what air traffic was flying. Here are the links:

Hillsboro Air Fair 2014

Portland-Hillsboro (HIO) 2

Preview:

A line-up of helicopters belonging to the flight school, Hillsboro Aviation on display.

Israeli Aircraft Industries IAI-1125A Astra SPX, also known as the Gulfstream G150 (N248SL) parked in one of Global Aviation's hangar. 

Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 (N904JK) parked in Golbal Aviation's hangar.

Dassault Falcon 900EX (N901MM) parked in Global Aviation's hangar.

Another Dassault Falcon 900EX (N76PW) parked in Global Aviation's newest hangar facility. In fact, the aircraft has the hangar all to itself when the photo was taken!

Learjet 60 (N600LJ) with reverse thrust deployed after arrival into Hillsboro.

An incredible sight at the Portland-Hillsboro Airport had to be this McDonnell Douglas MD-87 (N293EA)! A former Iberia passenger jet, it has since been converted as water-bomber for the Erickson Aero Tanker company.

Gallery Update: Oregon International Air Show 2014 Recap

One weekend, I was at the Reno Air Races. The weekend after that, I was back in Oregon in time for the Oregon International Air Show held at Portland-Hillsboro Airport! September really has been the highlight of my air show buzz this year. This year's Oregon Air Show has been one of the best ones I've been to in a long time. Again, compared to last year's sequester-affected season, we had a really good line-up of performers, some of them personal highlights for me.

Event Details and highlights:

• The show headliner was the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, coming back to perform at the Oregon International Air Show for the first time since 1993. This was also the first time I got to see the Snowbirds perform, so naturally, I was waiting to go to this air show all year long. And believe me, the Snowbirds did not disappoint!
• U.S. military performances have returned! This year included the United States Army Golden Knights parachute team, the United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II demo, and the United States Air Force's F-22 Raptor demo along with the Air Force Heritage Flight. This year marked the debut of the F-22 Raptor at the Oregon International Air Show; the organizers have spent years trying to get a Raptor to come out to Hillsboro.
• Also a first for me was The Bremont Horsemen Flight Team, flying three beautiful Korean War-era F-86 Sabre jets choreographed to an equally-beautiful composition written by award winning composer James Horner. The team was led by legendary air race pilot, former champion, and current Unlimited Class pace plane pilot, Steve Hinton.
• Other performers include Sean D. Tucker in his new Oracle Challenger III (which is surprising considering that the company that sponsors Tucker, Oracle Corporation is in hot water with the state of Oregon!), two Canadian performances including Redline Aerobatics and Team Rocket (yeah, I know what you're thinking!) Aerobatics, the West Coast Ravens, Renny Price of Hammerhead Aerobatics, John Klatt in his Jet Waco known as "Screamin' Sasquatch" (which I saw the weekend before in Reno), and Vicky Benzing. The Alaska Airlines Group also represented and promoted their service here in the Pacific Northwest by bringing in one of their Boeing 737s as well as Dash 8 Q400 to the show through Alaska Airline's sister carrier, Horizon Air.

Here are the links:

Oregon Air Show 2014 - Civil

Oregon Air Show 2014 - Military

Oregon Air Show 2014 - Flight Ramp

Oregon Air Show 2014 - Static Display

Preview and highlights:

The Royal Canadian Air Force brought their version of the P-3 Orion, a Lockheed CP-140 Aurora (140110) maritime patrol aircraft for static display.

NASA McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (N850NA) from the NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center on static display.

Of course, the highlight for me seeing the Canadian Forces Snowbirds for the first time! Photographed here is Snowbird #1, a Canadair CT-114 Tutor (114109) of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.

Sean D. Tucker taxis back to the flight ramp in his Oracle Challenger III (N260HP) after a warm-up session.

Vicky Benzing taxis back to the ramp after her performance in her beautiful red Stearman (N63529).

The West Coast Ravens flying precision formation with six Van's RV homebuilt kit aircraft.

Brent Handy is new to the air show circuit as this year was his very first air show season! Here he is taxing his Pitts Special S-2B (C-GZPG) out for take-off prior to his routine.

Another personal highlight was seeing not one, not two but THREE F-86 Sabre jets! Steve Hinton leads the Bremont Horsemen in a beautiful display of these Korean War-era icons.

Renny Price taxis back to the ramp after his routine in the Sukhoi Su-29 (N699SU).

Team Rocket Aerobatic's F1 Rocket (C-GLOK) taxiing.

Team Rocket Aerobatic's Harmon Rocket II (C-FZXS) taxiing.

Horizon Air's De Havilland Canada DHC-8-401Q Dash 8 Q400 (N407QX) in University of Oregon Ducks livery doing a fly-by.

Another personal highlight for me was seeing Alaska Airlines bring in one of their Boeing 737-800s (N558AS) mainly because it was an aircraft with the new Boeing/Aviation Partners Split-Scimitar Winglets:

N558AS slowing down with reverse thrust and spoilers deployed upon touchdown. It's a rare sight to see a large, mainline commercial jet at a reliever/executive airport like Hillsboro.

N558AS back-taxiing on Runway 13 in preparation for departure on Runway 31; the taxiways were a little narrow for this bird while there was a crowd line.

Close-up view of the split-scimitar winglets on N558AS.

Spooling up the engines.

On take-off roll.

Gaining speed.

And rotate!

N558AS on its way back to PDX to be returned for revenue service. Thanks Alaska Airlines, for bringing in not one, but two of your planes to the show and representing your dedicated service to the Pacific Northwest!

John Klatt making some noise in his jet-powered Waco ATO (N32KP) known as "Screamin' Sasquatch" sponsored by Jack Link's Beef Jerky.

And now, the military stuff, starting with the Golden Knights:

Since there were a few performances hailing from Canada, a United States Army Golden Knights member presented the Canadian Flag during opening ceremonies.

Another jumper from the Golden Knights presented the American Flag soon after during the opening ceremonies.

United States Army Golden Knight's jump platform, a Fokker C-21A Troopship (military designation for the Fokker F27 Friendship) taxis back to the ramp.

The United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II:

Taxiing out for take-off.

Side-view as it's taxiing out.

Coming in hovering.

Hovering while turning 360 degrees.

Taxiing back to the ramp after the demonstration.

Taxiing back, the pilot giving the thumbs-up.

The United States Air Force F-22 Raptor demo and Air Force Heritage Flight:

Same Raptor and pilot that performed at Reno the week before. However unlike Reno, they kept the Raptor over the Air National Guard Base located at PDX, probably for "security reasons." Here she is screaming in over Hillsboro Airport at the start of the demonstration with some afterburner.

View of the belly of the beast, in afterburner!

Once again, I had to get a shot of the pass with internal weapons bay exposed, with much success of course!

Photo pass.

Three icons of American air superiority (and air dominance) in one frame: the F-86 Sabre with Steve Hinton at the controls, with not one, but two P-51 Mustangs (a D and a K variant), and the F-22 Raptor during the first pass.

Second pass of the United States Air Force Heritage Flight.

The third and final pass of the Air Force Heritage Flight.

Formation break! This was by far one of the best Air Force Heritage Flights I've ever witnessed! It just can't get better than two P-51 Mustangs, an F-86 Sabre, and the F-22 Raptor!

North American Aviation at it's finest! While the F-22 Raptor went back to the PDX Air National Guard Base, we got a good glimpse of the P-51s and the F-86 that participated in the Air Force Heritage Flight. Here are the two P-51 Mustangs, the red one in the front is a D-model known as "Val-Halla" (N151AF) and the blue one in back is a K-model nicknamed "Fragile but Agile" (NL98CF).

Steve Hinton brings his F-86 Sabre nicknamed "Hell-er Bust X" (NX1F) back to the ramp, while keeping his distance from the Mustangs in front of him.

"Val-Halla" (N151AF) taxiing back to the ramp.

"Fragile but Agile" (NL98CF) taxiing back to the ramp.

Steve Hinton taxiing "Hell-er Bust X" (NX1F) back to the ramp.

And last but not least, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds:

Air show smoke on, the flight of nine CT-114 Tutors begins their act.

A beautiful display coming out of 51 year old jets.

Another cool angle on all nine aircraft.

All nine Tutors passing with smoke on.

They may not be the loudest, but they make for a different kind of air show routine with how graceful the team flies.

Taxiing back after finishing with their routine. The Snowbirds did not disappoint! I'll take them any day, any air show!

With the 2014 Oregon International Air Show out of the way, that also means that my personal air show season is done as well, making this my last major update for the year. Definitely a good year considering that I've gotten two air shows (the Legacy Air Show and the Oregon Air Show) and the Reno Air Races on my belt for the year. But that doesn't mean I'm done being an AvGeek for the year! No, no, I'm definitely going to take a break from any major aviation photography for the time being but I'll keep shelling out the occasional update from time to time when opportunity allows for it. In the meantime, I'm going to just look through my photos, enjoy my ever growing collection, and start picking out some of my personal favorites for the annual end-of-the-year montage as well as for my PlaneImages.net profile. Anyways, enjoy the photos and keep an eye out for the occasional, smaller photo updates!