Palmdale Plant 42 - PMD

[Diegos Aviacion]

No birds today Jim???  nice ones!!

[gfydad]

No birds yesterday and karma caught up with me today... 

Only high flyers: P-3, AN-124, C-130
Hi & Far flyers: B-2
Poor Light: Global Hawk

Best of the day was the ER-2 at about 3 miles 

[nmcbride]

Caught a couple passing by today.

[SkyBaby]

I saw her do two T&G from the 14, but couldn't pull over and shoot.  I didn't have my camera with me and I wasn't driving.   I was wondering why a FedEx MD-11 was doing T&G over a predominantly military airfield.  Landing there to deliver something, I understand, but T&G?  That's odd.  Anyone know where she went afterward?

[CHILIBEAN]

Love those DC-10 shots

[Wombat_1]

Long live the MD-11 & DC-10.   

[garphoto.com]

I was wondering why a FedEx MD-11 was doing T&G over a predominantly military airfield. 

Maybe FEDERAL Express has more to do with the Federal side than we know?

[SkyBaby]

Maybe FEDERAL Express has more to do with the Federal side than we know?

Lol maybe.  jk  It was probably just something more to do with the pilots logging hours or something. 

[NikonGuy]

Maybe FEDERAL Express has more to do with the Federal side than we know?

LoL good one.. 

[gfydad]

Heck, I didn't know there was a limit on words on the shout out. LOL  

As I was saying, you can lump be right in there with Brian. Long before Brian had his close encounter yesterday, the Federal Security folks turned me in to the LA Co. Sheriff. When the black & white rolled up, the Federal Officers came out too. I also had to show my all my images and also all my ID and rental car info. Also, there was a light search of the car including glovebox, camera bag and trunk.
As with Brian, they were polite and professional. Heck, by the time we were done, I was laughing and visiting with them all. They left with smiles on their faces and I remained shooting aircraft and sky.
We've got to remember that these are not the same security folks who had been there for years. After the one little bump I had with the old group, we got along great. They'd even wave when they'd drive by.
No, this is a new group who really don't know us from Adam and they don't understand that those of us who shoot at Plant 42 as regulars know the rules of engagement. That said, I'd rather have them be a little too careful (as long as they are still polite about it) instead of having something bad happen that not only casues security troubles at the base but also kills off our photograhy there.  
PS
When I was checked out I was on the non-base side of the road.

[nmcbride]

How long ago was that, Jim?

They drove past me several times when we were out there earlier this month (12/7, iirc) and didn't even blink as they passed us on 40th.

No clue what the specifics were yesterday, but it is a bit distrubing if he was approached for shooting the planes at Blackbird and Palmdale Airparks.

[gfydad]

It was a few weeks before the time you and I were both on 40th. I shoot with Brian out there a lot and I know he doesn't bend any rules of common sense out there. As he was shooting the aircraft in the airparks, I thought it was odd that they came out, but who knows what prompted them security to come out. We don't know if it was security themselves, the guard at the gate near the Blackbird Airpark or somebody driving by not knowing that photography was allowed at the airparks. I was right out where you saw me when I "met" them.

I figure it'd be fun to put some racy pictures of the female form on my card when I go out to shoot there so, if they want to check the images, they'd get a pleasant surprise! 

[nmcbride]

lol.

I would love to see the looks on their faces.

[aero-engineer]

I was told by a source who should know that the rules are changing at Plant 42.

Security is going to run it like a typical USAF base now.  Apparently similar to EAFB.

I think BJs and the notch (if you're careful) should still be OK, but be forewarned - things are changing it sounds.

Kevin
aero-engineer

[Code20photog]

I was told by a source who should know that the rules are changing at Plant 42.

Security is going to run it like a typical USAF base now.  Apparently similar to EAFB.

I think BJs and the notch (if you're careful) should still be OK, but be forewarned - things are changing it sounds.

Kevin
aero-engineer

Which makes me think they're going to run more of the UCAV programs out of there.