Can we just take a moment to appreciate all things related to airplanes?

All these simple and natural elements of physics from the air frames, to the engines, to the avionics, that just weave this amazing tapestry that allows a nearly 1 million pound plane to leave the ground and soar through the sky.

And it’s all the same physics whether you’re flying a J3 Cub or a 747-800. The only difference is the number of threads in the tapestry.

Get me high, baby!

Absolutely splendid in all their colors and styles.

Makes me itch to go someplace, anyplace!

I traveled for a living for 25 of my 43 years, and if I never get on another one, it will be too soon!

…no matter the size plane. The back of the plane is just for freight 🫣

I worked for the airlines and nowadays I’d rather drive for hours than fly in the back of the airplane with the freight.

The smaller the plane is, the more fun it is! You can still go almost anywhere, it just might take longer…but isn’t it all about the journey?

Grab a picnic basket & land in a friend’s cow pasture for lunch under shade of the wing. Best lunch ever!

I was flying when Eastern and Delta started their frequent flyer programs, and most of the time flew up front especially with Eastern.
couple of my artifacts from those days

I was at MIA shortly after Eastern went out of business. It was so sad. They just parked the planes and walked away; leftover catering and trash still onboard and lavs not serviced, in the south Florida heat and humidity. I could almost smell them from the cargo ramp!

I continued with Delta exclusively afterward, but it was just different somehow

…IYKYK, it's one of the best spots by far.

I've flown into National, what a view! That is so close it must be great! I have carved out my niche of catching them before gear down and preferably from a vantage where they are banking so I'm on the same plane as the wing. My two favorite spots are 9.5 miles from the end of the runway(Tampa), one for morning and one for evening to keep the sun to my back. If you are on FB, Tampa International is very spotter friendly and runs a public group where people from across the world post their photos, it's called "The Plane Spot". Hope you get some good shots!

But I do run on the other side of the Potomac and that's a great spot for lateral shots with a 3-400mm lens, so getting the birds flying straight over at 1/4 the distance must be perfect…I mean, there's a reason it's the plane-shooters Holy Grail in DC