Random aviation photos

a reply to: sandbox355

Yes he hit a powerline in the Belgorod region in Russia. The crash happened around July 17th.

a reply to: Ghoul

makes sense he was basically driving he was so low

here is the brand new announcement about the B21

12-2-2022 is the release date


youtu.be...


seems like they are giving us an early Christmas present

wonder if they are going to show any of the other family members

ibb.co...

ibb.co...

The ATS image upload/library is honked up I guess.

Anyway, this thing launched west of Tucson around 6:15pm local tonight (10/27/22). Did a spiral ascent to altitude and then made a bee-line west to east past my house. Altitude was below the moon in the sky and left a gnarly smoke trail.

Lived here 20 years, never seen one of those before, lol. I would guess a rocket launch but it definitely behaved more like a Scud than something headed to low orbit (or beyond).

a reply to: PilSungMtnMan

Falcon 9 out of Vandenberg. Latest Starlink launch.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Thank you. Wife just texted me that too. Neat to see.

twitter.com...

Falcon Heavy returned to flight today with its fourth launch, its first since June 2019. This launch, carrying the first classified payload for US Space Force, was originally slated for Q4 2019 but was delayed for payload issues. This was the first launch of a FH directly to geosynchronous orbit and required for the boosters to be partially expendable. The two side boosters returned flawlessly to just south of where they launched from at KSC while the center booster was ultimately expended with a hard splash down into the Atlantic Ocean.

Pictures were taken from Jetty Park, just south of KSC, using a Nikon D5000 with a 55mm-200mm lens.

Shortly after liftoff.


Roll to inclination.


Climbing to orbit.


Expansion of the exhaust plume due to reduced atmospheric pressure.


A moment right after booster separation.


Dual reentry burns.


First booster touching down through the fog and low clouds.


This Sikorsky S-76 (N927MS) flew from the area of KSC shortly following the landing of the boosters. Most likely security subcontractors. Interesting pseudo-USCG S&R paint scheme.


And it's not a trip up to KSC without stopping by Patrick SFB on the way home. Today we were treated with the NADA RB-57B N927NA, one of three currently airworthy. A very storied aircraft with more years in mothballs than in service. Today it was flying in support of the launch.



Partial view of the Patrick SFB flight line. USAF HC-130J Combat King II of the 920th Rescue Wing.

a reply to: Zaphod58

pretty neat to see them up close, they look like toys when every we see them.

a reply to: imitator

a reply to: cmdrkeenkid

a reply to: cmdrkeenkid

That actually probably IS a CG operated bird. The reg comes back to DHS.

a reply to: Zaphod58

i would say that big o0range stipe might be a give away lol


really close to this launch i broke the rules leaving the shelter/blockhouse and it was soooo loud it was almost like a physical wall

a reply to: moonrocks88

The Navy flies a white and red one that looks more like a CG bird than this one does. There was an argument at Edwards about whether it was CG or not, despite having "NAVY" on the side of it.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Ah

odd markings for a navy chopper, it must be a test config or part of a test of something else maybe?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: cmdrkeenkid

That actually probably IS a CG operated bird. The reg comes back to DHS.

i was like wait a min and had to re read the post, i thought you were poking fun at the 'birds aren't real' people.

a reply to: moonrocks88

Lemoore SAR.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Didn't think USCG flew anything other than Dauphins and Blackhawks.

N-number registry showed up as ERA Helicopters based out of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

a reply to: cmdrkeenkid

You’re right, it does. There’s an N927M that belongs to DHS.

a reply to: moonrocks88

Nice shot! Was that from the Banana Creek viewing spot?

a reply to: Zaphod58

Close enough, I guess. Either way it's a million parts rotating around an oil leak (and waiting for metal fatigue to take hold).