The air show tour continues

Posted on Tue,August/16/2011 by Ken

The calendar marches on and mid-August finds 3 more air shows on my to-do list. Two I’m working and one is just to watch.

First on this list is the Waterloo Air Show that takes place August 20-21 at the Region of Waterloo International Airport outside of Toronto. I’m working airside security at this one so there won’t be many photo opportunities but I’ll do my best to grab a few shots of what looks to be a fantastic group of performers and static displays including the Snowbirds and the CF-18 demonstration team.

The end of the month marks the unofficial end of Summer and in Toronto that means two things. The end of the CNE and the Canadian International Air Show, better known as the CNE Air Show. This will be my second year working in Boss Control on the Ontario Place island. Absolute best seat in the house to see a fast paced over-water show from the likes of perennial favourites the Snowbirds to the V22 Osprey making its first appearance and the Heavy Metal Jet Team who put on a great show at Oshkosh. Dates for this show are September 3rd, 4th and 5th.

September 16th marks probably what will be my last road trip of the year to watch airplanes. Vintage Wings of Canada and the EAA Canada chapters come together for Wings over Gatineau, a one day event which promises to see the skies full of birds- military, private, old and new. I’m a member of both groups but this one is strictly for pleasure and picture taking. Gatineau is located just across the Quebec border from Ottawa.

The Canadian air show calendar might be more compressed than the US but there’s lots to see in that time.

I’m honored

Posted on Thu,August/4/2011 by Ken

Many thanks to Dan Pimentel, editor of Airplanista Magazine for including one of my Oshkosh shots in the August issue. He chose one of my shots of the Red Bull helicopter flown by Chuck Aaron in its amazing performance.

It was a pleasure meeting Dan and we had a great time at a couple of Tweetups.

Oshkosh memories

Posted on Thu,August/4/2011 by Ken

It’s been four days since I got home from Oshkosh and the smile is still glued firmly to my face. Everything they say about experiencing AirVenture is true. Why else would I be making plans for 2012?

541,000 people made the trip to the sleepy little city of Oshkosh. A t-shirt for sale said it best: “Oshkosh a quiet little drinking town with a flying problem”. How they handle that many people tells you a lot about the people who come. Friendly, patient, accommodating crowds sharing a common passion – flight.

From precision jets to the world’s only flying B-29 bomber to a homebuilt single seater, Oshkosh is where the airplanes are. If it flies, it’s been to Oshkosh.

Why else would Boeing fly the 787 Dreamliner in for a day? Tens of thousands of enthusiasts stood in line for hours in sweltering heat to tour the aircraft. No one complains.

Legendary designer Burt Rutan is there and his aircraft arrive in droves including the iconic Boomerang and Beechcraft Starship.

At Oshkosh, he’s just another EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) member. Like “Sully” Sullenberger, Captain of US Airways Flight 1549 – The Miracle On The Hudson” who attended a number of events and was more than willing to talk for a minute or pose for the fans’ photos.

I’ll be posting photos for months but I’ll leave you with this one. The world’s largest airship. And I got to go for a flight.

How long to Oshkosh 2012?

Me and the Angels

Posted on Tue,July/19/2011 by Ken

In between

Posted on Sun,July/3/2011 by Ken

Closest airshow this weekend is in Battle Creek Michigan and there’s no way that I was going to fight border traffic on the July 1st and July 4th weekend (what a perfect storm this is). Catching up with chores around the house and just enjoying three days off.

Next weekend is Geneseo put on by the fine folks of the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum in Geneseo New York. This is a smaller show with plenty of vintage aircraft. Due to the distance, I’m staying overnight Saturday in Rochester and coming back early on the Sunday morning.

Down the 401 to St. Thomas

Posted on Fri,June/24/2011 by Ken

Great Lakes International Air Show in St. Thomas Ontario this weekend. About a 2 1/2 hour drive with fingers crossed that the weather improves greatly.

Looks like a good show planned.

Pictures are up!

One week to Dayton

Posted on Sat,January/22/2011 by Ken

We’re not even through January and I’m getting ready for my 5th flight of the year. The first 4 were for business – Buffalo to Charlotte and then on to Memphis and return. This one is for fun!!

The National Museum of the US Air Force is located on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and houses an incredible collection of aircraft. I’m so stoked to get a chance to spend 2 days touring the displays.

So, Friday night it’s off to Cincinnati and then a drive up to Dayton. Back home Sunday night with a couple of thousand photos and as many memories.

2011 – Ready for takeoff

Posted on Sat,January/1/2011 by Ken

Came across this in a 2010 calendar of cat pictures. Blatantly stolen but it sums up my hopes for the year. Resume flying lessons, be inquisitive, go for it.

It also doesn’t hurt that the cat looks like one of ours. The lovely Sarah.

You’ll be seeing less of me in 2011 (I hope)

Posted on Sat,January/1/2011 by Ken

I took this picture 2 days ago.

Why, you might ask, would I set myself up for shame and ridicule by posting this? Easy, I’ve joined a competition to see how low I can make that terrible, terrible number.

Chris over at AIRLINEPORN recently twittered that he was thinking of starting a little challenge to lose weight. We corresponded a bit and it’s now official. Starting January 17 and ending at AirVenture 2011 in Oshkosh at the end of June, pilots (and those who love planes) will be trying to slim down. The contest will actually end with a 5k run around the site.

Rules are simple and potentially embarrassing. Take a picture of yourself in all your rotund glory that will be posted on his website. Once a week, snap a picture like the one above so that the whole world can marvel at your progress or laugh at your shame.

All joking aside, this is just the type of incentive I think I need to stick to a sensible eating plan and exercise regime. Late this year I’ll hit 60. My lifestyle will probably kill me before I can enjoy retirement. I have to do something so why not have some fun at the same time.

Interested? Hop over to the official page where you can read the rules (don’t worry they’re not that bad) and download the entry form. What have you got to lose besides love handles, saddlebags, moobs and your double or triple chin.

Less than a month to go – Airplane junkie heaven

Posted on Fri,July/2/2010 by Ken

In 23 days I’ll hop a plane for a quick flight to Milwaukee to attend AirVenture 2010, better known as Oshkosh.

AirVenture is the world’s largest gathering of aircraft and enthusiasts. First held in 1953 with about 150 visitors, it’s grown to the point that over 2,500 planes are set to arrive. Here’s a long video that explains the whole thing.

Once a year, Oshkosh becomes the busiest airport in the world!

UPDATE: Work got in the way. Had to cancel.

Through The Mist Darkly

My head is in the clouds

Category Archives: Flying Is Fun