- Welcome to Aviation Photographers of Southern Ca..
Posted by akradecki
- July 02, 2009, 10:45:22 AMAn interesting report from one of the 747 SCA pilots carrying Atlantis showed up on the net at http://www.patriotfiles.com/forum/showthread.php?p=433669
I wanted to make sure that this was legit, so I contacted the PAO officer I correspond with at Dryden, Alan Brown (Jim knows him well), and asked about it. This is what he wrote back:
"The pilot who identifies himself as "Triple Nickel" is a Johnson Space Center pilot who was indeed the left-seater on the fourth leg of the ferry flight of Atlantis to KSC — I checked the flight manifest. He is relatively new as the pilot-in-command of the 747 SCA, and that may have been his first flight with the shuttle on top. I understand he has plenty of 747 and heavy transport experience, so his comments in his blog about the flight reflect his minimal experience in the SCA."
I wanted to make sure that this was legit, so I contacted the PAO officer I correspond with at Dryden, Alan Brown (Jim knows him well), and asked about it. This is what he wrote back:
"The pilot who identifies himself as "Triple Nickel" is a Johnson Space Center pilot who was indeed the left-seater on the fourth leg of the ferry flight of Atlantis to KSC — I checked the flight manifest. He is relatively new as the pilot-in-command of the 747 SCA, and that may have been his first flight with the shuttle on top. I understand he has plenty of 747 and heavy transport experience, so his comments in his blog about the flight reflect his minimal experience in the SCA."
Posted by phantomphan1974
- June 01, 2009, 09:45:34 PMYeah great shots and nice to put a face with a name. I see Jim and the tripod in the back.
Posted by Midnight Mover
- June 01, 2009, 07:13:15 PMGreat shots guys, beautiful 
Posted by GTagami
- June 01, 2009, 06:09:50 PMWow, it just doesn't get any better than that. Great job!! You guys captured some awesome shots! Can someone sneak me in next time?!!! 
Posted by rander
- June 01, 2009, 05:39:24 PMQuote from: Fernando Sedeno on June 01, 2009, 03:20:47 PM
Great shots Jim and Alan!
I agree Great shots!!!!!!!And Thank You for the Early morning effot to " get the shots"!!
Posted by NikonGuy
- June 01, 2009, 03:20:47 PMGreat shots Jim and Alan! 
Posted by akradecki
- June 01, 2009, 02:53:56 PMAnd a few more...
Posted by akradecki
- June 01, 2009, 02:52:25 PMA few to compliment Jim's posting....
Posted by gfydad
- June 01, 2009, 02:49:09 PMCool! Needless to say we had front row seats. 
Posted by akradecki
- June 01, 2009, 02:47:45 PMTwo APSoCal'ers...
Posted by akradecki
- June 01, 2009, 02:16:33 PMQuote from: phantomphan1974 on June 01, 2009, 12:13:54 PMHey...you can see me and Jim right up next to the runway!!
KNBC Ch 4 link: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Shuttle-Hitches-Ride-Out-of-California-Desert.html
Posted by gfydad
- June 01, 2009, 12:21:00 PMHere's a gaggle from today. 
Posted by phantomphan1974
- June 01, 2009, 12:13:54 PMPosted by akradecki
- June 01, 2009, 10:14:15 AMQuote from: GTagami on May 31, 2009, 06:52:00 PMAccess was even closer to the runway this time, but these events always require advanced credentialing through NASA, and they accept freelancers as long as you can demonstrate that you're legitimately shooting for a publication.
Is there good access like the photos above for this departure? I wouldn't want to make the drive out there if I had to be outside of the area and only get it after the take-off.
Posted by Midnight Mover
- May 31, 2009, 11:09:37 PMQuote from: akradecki on May 31, 2009, 03:59:10 PM
Naw, just so that they can get the most distance out of a flight day. They have to go low level (10 to 12,000 ft) and make several stops for fuel, and they have to stay VFR, avoiding any weather, so it can take a couple of days to get across the country. Thus it's typical to leave as early as possible. Here are some shots of the last one, last December, when again they left right at sun-up. Makes for some fantastic shooting!
Very nice shots
