Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA, KIWA, IWA) "Willie"

[azspyder]

[Joe Copalman]

CLEAN SLATE

This 767 shot touch-and-goes on 30R for well over 90 minutes today.  He flew a pretty tight pattern as well, turning far more aggressively than I'm used to seeing airliners turn.  

[Jeff D. Welker]

VFA-147 ARGONAUTS

The LTJG Bruce Carrier award is named after an aviator who experienced a tragic list of misfortunes during what should have been a routine flight off the coast of the Philippines.

In 1975, LTJG Carrier's A-4 Skyhawk had a hydraulic failure as he returned to the deck of the USS Hancock. Unable to lower his flaps, the Air Boss decided that it was too dangerous to land aboard the aircraft carrier and instructed LTJG Carrier to divert to nearby NAS Cubi Point. During the divert, he was unable to get his right landing gear down, and was told to return to the ship to land. While trying to refuel during his return trip back to the aircraft carrier, the A-4's refueling probe broke off, leaving him without enough fuel to make it to the ship. Without any other options, he attempted to eject, however the ejection mechanism failed. Finally, LTJG Carrier was told to climb as high as possible and bail out, but unfortunately he ran out of fuel and was killed when his aircraft crashed into the ocean.

[azspyder]

Night Terrors...

[azspyder]

[bilwor]

Nice shot Steve,  having your subject static and background  moving
bill

[azspyder]

Thank you Bill...it was something a little different.

[Joe Copalman]

Agreed, that's a cool shot.

[Jeff D. Welker]

As I've said elsewhere Steven, heck of an image. The yin versus the yang. Two supersonic speed merchants perfectly static with a relative toad (velocity wise) flashing past almost balistically - a combination of unique elements not often seen more typical aviation images.

[azspyder]

Thank you very much Joe and Jeff!

[azspyder]

Ulan-Ude Mi-171

[Scott Youmans]

Now that's a catch!

[bilwor]

Nice catch Steve, you never know what will come into Willie.
bill

[azspyder]

Thanks guys...I love surprises.

[Barry Griffiths]

  
WHERE THE HELL ARE WE? McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II (V/STOL) WE-06 & WE21 VMA-214 Marine Attack Squadron "Blacksheep" MCAS Yuma, AZ by Barry Griffiths, on Flickr