Falcon Field (MSC, KFFZ, FFZ)

[Scott Youmans]

This shot was taken at a memorial for Larry Newman in January at Falcon.  Larry was best known for his balloon flights across the Atlantic and Pacific. I worked for Larry's ultralight company, American Aerolights, during 1982-83.

Nikon D3s and 70-200mm f.2.8 VRII with 1.4x teleconverter.

[Joe Copalman]

Gorgeous shot, Scott.  Sounds like January was a busy month for memorial flights at Falcon. 

[Joe Copalman]

N533PC has been very kind to me in terms of good shooting opportunities.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Great catch Joe.

[Joe Copalman]

Canberra TT.18 on the CAF ramp:


Skyhawk fresh out of the paint shop:

[Joe Copalman]

Scooter sunrise departure.   

[Matt Ottosen]

Scooter sunrise departure.   

Really awesome catch, Joe!

[phxtoad]

Joe,

Great shot!  Was that Monday morning 10/10?  I was headed up Greenfield towards Falcon when I saw her going around.  Wish I had closer to see it.

Todd

[Joe Copalman]

Thanks guys!  Yup, Monday morning.  Sun broke the horizon maybe two minutes prior.

[Joe Copalman]

Stationair a few months back:

[Jeff D. Welker]

New Pet Airways bird - Short SD3-60. Saw this guy on FA and left my office a couple of minutes early to try and catch his arrival/departure. Turns out it is the new Pet Airways ride. I don't know if it is a permanent replacement of the Beech 1900's that have previously flown in/out of Falcon; however, it was a nice change of pace. Light was tricky as the setting sun was dodging in and out of the clouds. I got very lucky on his final into 22L, but lost all those golden rays to a large storm cloud moving across the west valley. Accordingly, I got bupkis on the departure.

[Joe Copalman]

Phenomenal shot, Jeff.

You must have just left before I got there.  They flipped runways, so I went out toward Higley.  Had he departed quickly like the Pet Airways flights normally do, I would (hopefully) gotten a chance for a silhouette departure shot with the dark red sunset clouds in the background.  There was lightning in that direction as well, but I doubt I would have caught anything.  Anyway, he took his sweet time getting out of there, the light situation stopped favoring the shot I was after, and they flipped runways again.  Saw him depart on my way home, he rotated past the mid-point and had a rather shallow climb out, so keep that in mind for future visits.  I suspected it was a Pet flight when I saw it originated at Hawthorne.  Timing is right for it too.  Let's see what Friday morning brings.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Thanks Joe. I must have just passed you on Greenfield when I bailed from the CAF lot. When that storm cloud blocked out the sun, I lost all hope. I probably should have been more patient and waited a little longer to see what changes might occur. Oh well; there is always another day.

[Joe Copalman]

[Joe Copalman]

Skyhawk when it was fresh out of the paint shop.