Reagan National Airport (DCA, KDCA)

[Dave S.]

Spent the weekend in Washington DC and found some time to visit a nice little park near the airport.  It offered some really nice views of morning arrivals and departures.  A bit cold and breezy, but a nice vantage point.

[Dave S.]

It's pretty amazing, how close to the center of our government this airport (Reagan National Airport, KDCA) is:

I don't know if the Commander in Chief was on this particular helo, as there was only a single ship and not the usual allotment of three.

As we turned onto the active runway for takeoff, there was a nice view of what lies just beyond the airport's boundary (notice the tall monument pointing straight up).

Shortly after takeoff, you see what passes by just under the left wing.  The pilots need to basically 'thread a needle' during departure.

(Hint: if you're not sure what this building is, count the number of sides this building has and then refer to your old high school geometry for the answer)

[redsox223]

Gravelly Point is a pretty awesome spot. Dont worry, while you were there, the cops probably ran your ID, checked your credit score and movie preferences. Now that you posted these, I'll have to dig out some of mine.

[Dave S.]

Can anyone think of a good caption for this one?  It's one of the dual (?) lights mounted on an ILS antenna for runway 19 at DCA.  Hint: they are both supposed to be standing straight up, like the one on the right.

Mitchell - It was sort of an odd experience.  I'm sure I was given the once, twice and even thrice over, but no one ever actually spoke to me.  I had taken a cab over to the park, so I didn't have any plates for them to check.  I had my small camera bag, a backpack, a dark sweater, gloves and a dark cap on (yes, my garb seemed eerily reminiscent of that infamous TSA poster, but it was damn chilly for this guy from Arizona), but no one ever came within 300 or 400 feet.  There were plenty of cyclists and a few joggers, but no official contact (i.e. showing their badge and asking for my id, hell not even a conversation) was made with me.  I've had more official contact with folks at Sky Harbor (all of which has been friendly).  Anyway, quite a wonderful place to shoot from early in the morning.  As it got later, the sun continued its southern ascent and started backlighting my shots.

[Jay Beckman]

Nice series Dave.

It's truly the seat of irony that the one spot in the country where you can stand and hit jets by throwing rocks happens to be at the airport physically closest to the core of our Federal Government.

As for a caption: "Another thing broken on the left."

[Dave S.]

Jay,

"Another thing broken on the left" is absolutely perfect!

[Dave S.]

Just got back from a short trip to Washington DC, and I spent some time out at Reagan National Airport while there.  It's a bit of a bummer that the approach lights interfere with getting perfectly lined up with the runway's centerline.  I also spent a little bit of time taking some non-aviation stuff, which just happen to compliment Rob's shot of the Lincoln Memorial.  Will post appropriately after processing those.