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USA 2010 TRIP REVIEW PART 2: FLORIDA OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2010 KEVIN PERRY

Following on from the USA 2010 Trip Review Part 1, the cancellation of the Shuttle launch at the end of July and re-scheduling for the 1st November gave the next opportunity to catch a launch. After some last-minute thought, I decided to take the risk, knowing that if it came to the worst, and the launch was delayed again, a week in Florida is never a bad thing anyway. After checking flight availability and cost, which were very good, and having not been to Florida for almost two years, this also helped the decision to go. One other plus point, was the chance of a pleasure flight in a rare classic the same week. After checking the flight schedule on the HFF website, their 'Eastern' DC-7B was planned to operate one of the 'local living history' rides out of Opa Locka on 30th October. Sounds good then...
However! The first bit of bad news came from the HFF, who for some reason had cancelled all their remaining local pleasure flights for 2010. Not a good sign, after the years of restoration on the aircraft, hopefully 2011 will see them making a success with their plans. One such event that hopefully will happen is the planned charter by Ian Allan, taking the DC-7 down to St Maarten for a couple of days via San Juan in May. As well as this bad news then, and getting it all out the way, came the inevitable further delay with the Shuttle launch. In the end, the day before the planned launch on 1st November, cracks were found in the external fuel tank after a hydrogen leak had stopped the countdown. Subsequently, after further delays and 'missed windows' the launch of Discovery on mission STS-133 is now planned (as of 16th January) for 24th February at 1650. And because of this, the planned final Shuttle mission, STS-134 by Endeavour on 26th February, has had to be put back. This is now due to go on 19th April at 1948. Apparently, NASA will be saving most causeway viewpoint tickets for family and invited guests, so that the public demand for the few available will be even greater. Alternatively, other chances to catch the Shuttle airborne in 2011 will be the ferry flights on top of the NASA B747 SCA, to the various museums that will receive an orbiter. Details to come! Anyway then, after what wasn’t seen, let's get onto what was...

Link to kevin perry photography: http://kevinperry.fotopic.net

Direct Link to this trip: http://kevinperry.fotopic.net/florida2010

Thursday 28th October

For this nine day trip, I had chosen to book with American Airlines, which included code share flights with British Airways. Starting off at Bahrain then, departing on B747-400 G-BYGB as BA124 to Heathrow, off at 0145 and landing 6.45 hours later at 0630L. Connecting flight was then AAL57 to Miami, operated by B777-200ER N797AN, off at 1025 and landing 7.40 hours later at 1405L. After picking up the rental car for the week, a Chevy Malibu, the remainder of the afternoon was spent looking around MIA, having a quick check on the familiar photo-spots and taking a few shots around the FBO's on the North side of the airport. This provided the first taste of some of what MIA is famous for, nice cargo and South American stuff, with a Brazilian AF Legacy and the first two Mexican biz-jet's to be seen. Also present was basketball player Magic Johnson's nice hush-kitted Gulfstream 3, with personalised registration N32MJ (he wore number 32 for LA Lakers). After these first few shots, it wasn’t long before the sun was going down, so it was then straight off to the hotel to catch up with some proper sleep, with the first two nights being at the Extended Stay Deluxe just to the West of the airport.

Friday 29th October

Today's plan was the full day at MIA, with the day beginning in typically nice weather. At first landings were from the East onto runways 26/27, which are difficult to photograph, especially early in the morning. However, this soon changed, to the more usual runways 08/09/12 from the West, for the rest of the day. MIA has four runways, with the longer East-West 09/27 on the South side of the airfield, the parallel 08L/26R & 08R/26L on the North side, and slightly shorter cross runway 12/30. There seems to be a common practice with arrivals here, with cargo stuff mostly using the Southern runway 09/27. Passenger flights are fairly equally split between the Northern and Southern runways, with most South American airlines and charters using the Southern runway, while most executive movements and other stuff parking on the North side, will not surprisingly use the Northern runway. The cross runway can also frequently be used at times, although during this trip, not as much as the others. As for departures, most use the Northern and cross runways, with the Southern runway only normally used by the cargo stuff parked nearby.
The day began then with a look along the Northern side FBO's and hangars, picking off a few biz-jets and a couple of the interesting airliners parked up. This can be a frustrating area for photographers, with not many of the aircraft 'on' for good shots, although I did manage the AeroSur B767-200 which is in storage and one of the Vision Airlines fleet, who operate flights down to Cuba among other charters. Also photographed was the nose section of the last Arrow Cargo aircraft here, DC-8-63F N784AL, recently scrapped after the airline ceased operations on 30th June. Sadly, this seems to be last DC-8 based/parked at MIA... the end of an era. Another very rare classic to mention, present over the week, was Congo Government B707-138B 9Q-CLK (17702), which had arrived on 1st August for a major check and repaint with Commercial Jet. Painted in an old-style two-tone brown scheme, with the engines removed and doors sealed up, it has recently been painted into 'Dreamliner' style colours with '707' down the fin! As seen in a recent photograph of the aircraft, back outside and still engineless. At the time though, I was unable to photograph it, being parked outside the hangar behind other aircraft... mainly the other Congo-registered aircraft present, the Hewa Bora B767-200 (as can be seen in that shot). 9Q-COG had arrived on 1st July for a C-Check with Commercial Jet, before reported VIP conversion for Executive Jet Services?
After the look along the Northern side, I then spent the rest of the day at the photo-spot on the Southern side for landing shots onto runway 09. This excellent spot is just off the perimeter road at that end, next to a large furniture store, just in front of the railway lines that run alongside the perimeter fence. Good landing shots can be taken here, as well as shots of the (mostly) cargo stuff lining up on '09, with some concrete blocks to stand on to minimize the fence in the shots. Of the cargo scene here these days, certainly the B767F has become very popular (like the 'new DC-8F'), with many flights from Amerijet and Tampa, as well as ABX Air, LAN Cargo and Air Transport International seen. Of the others, it's still good to see the classic Amerijet B727F's still going strong, with several flights arriving and departing daily. Check out the pictures for what else was seen, including the many South American airliners.

Saturday 30th October

The day started again in great weather, and another quick look along the North side FBO's, with no less than five Mexican biz-jets being photographed! Obviously a popular 'weekend in Miami' run, these included a classic Sabreliner. Also 'found' around the hangars further down, was the forward fuselage section of an 'Allegiant Air' MD-80, with the cockpit converted to a simulator (anyone help with the id?). From here it was straight off to the first stop on what was the start of the journey 'up North', eventually as far as Daytona Beach, a few days and many stops later.
First today then was a long stop at nearby Opa Locka, with this amazing airfield certainly taking some time to 'do', looking around the many areas where shots can be taken. Being a Saturday, the place was very quiet, with good shots of almost everything being quite easy. The only access requested was to a hangar containing the Venezuelan Gulfstream 2, a real classic being only the 25th built. Just outside were two other classics, and my favourite biz-jet... the fantastic Jetstar! Both are resident here with Jetstar Aviation Services, who have more inside their hangar. Other nice biz present included the Mexican Beechjet, and Citation X with the very expensive winglets fitted, as well as the Bolivian Beech 90. While of the many stored/parked airliners present, these included the ex Gemini DC-10 N607GC, which had only arrived the day before from storage at Roswell (its last flight?), as well as the recently arrived Brazilian and Mexican B737's. In addition, two other nice South Americans, were the PAWA Dominicana DC-9-30 (ex Northwest) and NEBA Bolivian B737-200, with an Ivory Coast registration! (ex Southwest). Both of these were painted up quite a while ago, but parked up since, so maybe the deals have fallen through?
Next stop was nearby Hollywood-North Perry, being pretty much in-between Opal Locka and next stop, Boca Raton. This was worthwhile for two nice aircraft, the ex FedEx B727-100F, which was donated to the Broward Community College here (after being roaded-in from Fort Lauderdale five years ago), and the interesting British Virgin Islands Police Navajo. From here, I had planned to miss out the Fort Lauderdale airports (and do them on the way back South), so I could get to Fort Pierce and catch their 'Open Day' today (although I still ran out of time!), before ending up at my next hotel at Melbourne. Next then, heading up I95 North was a quick stop at Boca Raton, quite a busy little executive airport, with a nice Venezuelan Citation and even more 'exotic' Blackpool-based Falcon 900 among others! After a quick stop at West Palm Beach, frustrating as usual for the photographer around the FBO's, and Stuart-Witham Field, where a few more biz were shot, I at least managed to reach Fort Pierce-St. Lucie before dark! Just in time to photograph the nice resident Gulf 2SP before sun-down, I had covered a lot of miles, after I then reached the hotel at Melbourne, the Extended Stay Deluxe at the airport. Melbourne was an important stop on this trip, in the hope of catching the two very special residents here, as well as another classic due in...

Sunday 31st October

After the quality and quantity of Southern Florida, the next few days further north were planned to catch some of the quality aircraft around this area, without the big quantities involved. Today's plan was made bearing in mind I had tonight’s hotel back in Melbourne, based on the original Shuttle launch being tomorrow, so that I was local to the Kennedy Space Center. Because of the planned launch, the hotels around the area were very difficult to book for tonight, but I had managed to get a booking at a slightly 'less quality' place, the Econo Lodge (motel) on the main road through Melbourne. In fact, it was today that I found out the Shuttle was off for tomorrow, and put back until the 3rd, which had subsequently created a spare day.
First off today then was a look around Melbourne airport, with another day of great weather. This is home to the Northrop Grumman J-STARS facility, with resident test aircraft E-8C 90-0175/JS. In addition is B707-330C N707HE, which was used as the 'B707RE' (re-engine) test aircraft by Omega Air, in a joint-venture with P&W and Seven Q Seven. Re-fitted with P&W JT8D-219 engines, the aircraft was tested out of San Antonio and Mojave, before arriving here in early 2009 to be robbed of its new engines. These being fitted to the resident E-8C, as part of testing for the re-engine program on the J-STARS fleet (based at Robins AFB, GA). Since then, N707HE has just been parked here, future unknown. Not surprisingly, security around the Northrop Grumman hangars and ramp's is very tight, with security patrols, so a lot of discretion is necessary. Over the next two days, when I hoped to catch the E-8C here, it remained parked on a ramp away from the hangars, looking as though it could fly, but unfortunately didn’t, so I was unable to photograph it. However, N707HE was possible, being parked on the ramp outside the hangars. The road that leads past ATC towards the fire station will bring you to this area, with the B707 just the other side of the perimeter fence, on the left side of the ramp. Going on a Sunday when it was quiet, and being very quick, I still didn’t want to 'push my luck' and go up to the fence, so parked at the fire station and happily shot the aircraft from there. Result!
In addition, Melbourne has some 'de-mobbed' residents, with around 30 ex US Army UH-1's in storage with a local company. Some of these have been registered to the US Department of State, after previous storage with Dyncorp at Temple, TX. Still in full US Army markings, without the new N-reg's worn, some of these may find themselves being overhauled and following others down to the Colombian AF for example. Another very interesting ex-military aircraft present here is ex Royal Navy Canberra TT18 N77844, previously WJ574/844 with FRADU. This well known 'resident' has been parked here for years now, and is said to have been abandoned by its previous owners. WFU in 1992, it was later sold privately in the USA in May94 as N77844, before being used by Aero Group Inc at Tulsa on trials work. Currently on the FAA register as owned by the National Aviation Museum and Foundation of Oklahoma at Tulsa, it is said to have accrued a lot of unpaid parking fees, with the owners not being able to be contacted. Subsequently, it was due to be auctioned in Jul09, with no further news to date.
Still with Melbourne, recent good news for the airport, which only has a few regional services, is the planning of several new facilities here. The big news being the Embraer assembly plant being built, for production of the Phenom 100 and 300 aircraft, as well as a service center for other Embraer executive jets, such as the Legacy. This is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. In addition, Midair USA are moving their MRO maintenance facility here, from Rome, NY. All this will certainly make Melbourne worth a visit in the future.
After the look around Melbourne, today's plan was then a clockwise trip, up the I95 North to Titusville-Cocoa Airport, then across the NASA causeway and South onto the Florida A1A to catch the Cocoa Beach Airshow, before back South and across the Melbourne causeway for another look at Melbourne airport before the end of the day. Titusville-Cocoa Airport, otherwise known as Space Coast Regional airport, being the closest airport to the Kennedy Space Center, is certainly well worth a visit around launch dates for company/executive visitors. Present on the main ramp today, outside the Bristow Air Center FBO were a few nice surprises, with the Zero G B727-200(WL) being a very welcome sight! N794AJ is operated by Amerijet for the Zero Gravity Corporation, offering commercial 'weightlessness' pleasure flights. 'G-Force One' is modified with three padded 'floating zones' as well as having 38 seats in the rear, and was present around the Shuttle launch dates to fly and attract some of the many visitors in the area at the time. Also present was the first of both Sabreliners seen, operated by the United Space Alliance. This is the NASA industry partner, owned jointly by Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, and are regular visitors here in connection with the Kennedy Space Center, from their Houston base. Two other nice biz-jets present were the Falcon 7X in an interesting grey colourscheme, based at Seattle, and the British 125 which was also seen down at MIA. Also here, possibly to cover the Shuttle launch, were two US Coast Guard MH-65C's, while the presence of so many all-white Schweizer 300 helicopters was suprising. With 'the worlds largest civilian fleet of Schweizer aircraft', the Bristow Academy here offers sales, service and training on the little 'hair dryer'.
From here then it was off to the Cocoa Beach Airshow, performed over the Ocean, with viewing from the beach front areas. As the view was still a bit distant and not the best for the sun, with parking being a nightmare, I headed a bit further down to Patrick AFB to view the show and hopefully get shots of the airshow aircraft using the base. Watching from a sand dune by the road, with a lot of other spectators, a few good shots were possible, although from a photographers point of view it was difficult and not very productive.

Monday 1st November

Being a spare day now, with the Shuttle launch cancelled, today wasn’t going to produce much, with the plan to end up at Daytona Beach after spending most of the day at Melbourne, awaiting one classic and hoping for another. It was known that Air Transport International have a twice-weekly schedule, with a DC-8 routing from Toledo-Express to Antigua. This previously routed via Melbourne, but had switched to nearby Patrick AFB. However, apparently due to the airshow traffic, the flight was again routing through Melbourne today, and on checking Flightaware, it was en route! Finding a good spot for landing shots, the sun obliged as the smokey DC-8-62CF N799AL roared in. As mentioned, hoping for the E-8C to fly didn’t happen, but I had decided to wait around in case it did, and get shots of the DC-8 going out. After a delay though, the DC-8 went out late, and with not much of the day left, I headed off North. Hoping to make one stop before reaching the hotel at Daytona Beach, I made it to New Smyrna Beach before sun down, to photograph the resident DC-3 N600NA. This is now WFU and for sale after being grounded for several years, due to major wing work need, being a 'million dollar job' according to the guy who showed me around. So although fitted with a 28 seat VIP interior and good engines, it's future does'nt look good.
After a very quiet day then, but still worthwhile for the DC-8, I then had the one night in Daytona Beach at the La Quinta Inn, close to the airport.

Tuesday 2nd November

So far the weather on this trip had been fantastic, but it was about to change, around this part of Florida, with a front moving in. This was also putting a risk on the Shuttle launch, although as I said it was a technical problem that stopped it anyway. The day began then with an overcast sky and occasional showers, as I headed to the airport to photograph a couple of old propliners, the reason I had come this far. After meeting with the owner following some prior arrangement, I proceeded airside to shoot the last of the Convairs here, from a previous half a dozen ex TFA (Trans Florida Airlines) aircraft stored. N905GA Convair 580F is still looking in very good condition, and could hopefully return to service one day. Of the other stored Convairs, all were scrapped over the years apart from one other, which would be seen elsewhere later today. One other propliner present here, not far from the Convair, is the fuselage of F-27-200 N278MA with 'Oceania' titles. Older enthusiasts may know this aircraft when operated by Luxair as LX-LGK. After photographing these two and waiting for a Delta DC-9-51 to depart, it was off South West to the next stop today, Deland. This place is well known as a skydive centre, with Skydive Deland and other operators flying Twin Otters here. Maybe because of the bad weather forcast, all the resident jump aircraft were hangared, apart from a visiting aircraft from Maine. Also present here are two classic old biz-jets, both WFU and derelict. N805SM was one of the last of 150 Commodore Jet's built, in 1969, after the design and production rights was sold to IAI by Rockwell following the purchase of Aero Commander, who had designed the aircraft based on the twin-prop AC500. One of the original biz-jet designs, first flown in Jan 1963, really older enthusiasts may recall this aircraft when registered as F-BTDA and painted all black! Alongside is an original Westwind, the design that followed the Commodore Jet, with N30156 being one of only 36 built, in 1974. The helpful guy in the nearby FBO let me out to photograph these, but warned of the wasp nests hanging under the aircraft, saying they can be very aggressive. Enough said!
Continuing South West, next stop was Orlando-Sandford, as the weather really turned nasty, with cloud 'on the ground' and heavy rain, which was to last the rest of the day, making driving very dodgy. After waiting a few hours at Sandford for the weather to improve, I eventualy gave up and headed off, so I could reach my final stop before dark. Still managing to photograph a few of the retired airliners before leaving, these included one of the recently arrived Delta/Northwest DC-9-30's, with N9333 being retired three months earlier. Infact, the very final Delta/Northwest DC-9-30 flight had only just occured the day before, on 1st November, when N8926E arrived here from Detroit as DAL9932. This was then parked outside the new Avocet facility being constructed on the North side here, among other airliners awaiting their fate. Others photographed today were an ex Centurion DC-10 (originaly G-BHDH with British Caledonian), and an ex DHL A300F (id anyone?), but the highlight was the ex DHL Venezuelan B727-200F. YV-154T is interesting in being a rare Boeing-developed JATO rocket version of the B727, being a Mexicana aircraft originaly (XA-DUJ). Known as 'RATO', this was developed for 'hot and high' operations, such as at Mexico City, with boosters fitted to the rear of the main landing gear on each side, and the tell-tale hump on the top rear fuselage, housing re-routed air con pipes. A similar, such aircraft, was Dan Air's G-BMLP.
After Sandford then, I just managed to reach the final stop of the day before dark, with Convair 240 N1022C being photographed in the gloom at Orlando-Apopka. This small airfield, located to the North West of Orlando right on highway 441, is now home to the Convair after being obtained by the US Airline Industry Museum Foundation. Arriving by truck from Daytona Beach in Sep09, it is still in ex TFA colours, with a 'Pan Am' logo now on the fin. And so that was it for today, as I eventually got to the hotel for the night, the La Quinta Inn at Orlando MCO airport. It was then I found out my last chance to catch the Shuttle launch was off, which then meant more time to get back down South, and more airports to visit instead.

Wednesday 3rd November

As quick as the bad weather had arrived, it was now gone, with clear blue skies for most of today! First off, a look around the perimeter at MCO, with the West side of the airport giving the chance for some shots of the cargo and FBO ramps. These included a Kalitta B727-200F, and DHL/Astar DC-8-73CF being towed to stand. Best of all though were the two resident executive BAC1-11's of Elite Express, including the oldest airworthy 1-11 in the world, N200JX (015). While N200EE (083) certainly looks operational, N200JX is said to have been parked up since mid-2009, so could possibly be WFU now?
From Orlando, today’s plan was now to head back South, with a hotel booked at Fort Lauderdale. First stop en route was another look in at Titusville-Cocoa Airport, with the other United Space Alliance Sabreliner now present. On this visit I also took the chance to visit the Valliant Air Command museum, with DC-3C 'Tico Belle' about to operate a pleasure flight. No time to consider that though as I continued South to the next stop at Vero Beach. This very nice, busy GA airfield has a fantastic little 'terminal' with an outside garden/viewing area, overlooking a low fence onto the main ramp, next to the main FBO here with several biz-jets present. From here, it was the short distance down to Fort Pierce-St. Lucie, for another look in here. This was mainly to visit Missionary Flights International, with their well kept DC-3's, which are kept very busy operating relief and mercy flights down to the Caribbean (mainly Haiti after recent events). The people here are very friendly, with President & CEO Richard Snook (a Vietnam vet on the C-47) himself happy to show me into their hangar. All three aircraft were present during the visit, with piston DC-3 N400MF in the hangar, turbo DC-3 N200MF pulled outside, while piston DC-3 N300MF was doing circuits and local flying as part of an FAA check ride. News from the company is that a fourth Dak will be joining the fleet, with turbo DC-3 N500MF arriving soon. This is another South African conversion, being ex N376AS of Rhoades Aviation, which is undergoing major refurbishment with Preferred Airparts at Kidron, Ohio. Aswell as the Daks, other propliners present on the airfield were three Grumman Albatross aircraft, all in good airworthy condition, while the rare Riley Turbo Skyliner (Heron 2X) has been parked here WFU for some time. Waiting for N300MF to come back in, time was against me as an overcast sky moved in, so decided to leave at that point and continue South.
After another quick look in at West Palm Beach, with a Swedish Gulfstream 550 present, and Greg Norman's arriving, as well as a US Marines KC-130T visiting, next stop was another quick look in at Boca Raton. Highlight here was another Venezuelan biz-jet, an old Learjet 25D, and another Brit in town, a Gama Legacy! Trying to make it to Fort Lauderdale Executive before dark, I didn’t have much time to shoot what I could at this busy airfield, that usually has a lot of nice stuff present. Highlight was a Citation new on the Venezuelan register. Reaching the hotel well after dark, after a long busy day, my final night was at the Ramada, very close to the airport at Fort Lauderdale International.

Thursday 4th November

Weather today was a mixture of sun and showers, as I started the final day of the trip with a look around the perimeter at Fort Lauderdale International. The ramps around the Southside FBO's give the chance for some shots, with biz-jets and smaller cargo types present. Highlights were some older types, including the former Argentine Navy Skyvan and a unique Beech 18, along with the DC-3 which recently changed ownership after being a long term Opa Locka resident. Further around from this area is the Air Sunshine ramp, with the well known YS-11's which have been parked here, WFU since 1997. Still in the basic colours of previous operator Airborne Express, only one is on for a shot from the fence, unless you get out airside. Parked alongside was engineless Saab 340 N792BA, painted in the Air Sunshine style scheme, but in blue/gold, and registered to Tropical Transport Services of San Juan. Unfortunately, as with Fort Lauderdale Executive, I didn’t give enough time to this busy airport, which has a lot of interesting movements and good photo-spots.
From here it was straight down, on the short drive to Miami, for the rest of the day. With some rain in the afternoon I took the chance to do some last-minute shopping, before returning for a look around the Northern perimeter, as well as the George T Baker Aviation School. This is located 'over the road' in the top Northwest corner of the airport, under the final approach to runway 26R. Not the place it used to be when the classic Boeing 720 and Martin 404 were here, they did recently gain an American Airlines MD-82, which was donated and lifted over LeJeune Road by crane, overnight last May. While in this area, I spent the last hour or so taking landing shots onto '26R, with the car rental return close by. This runway was reasonably busy, and provided one last highlight of the trip, with Mexican Navy Gulfstream 450 AMT-205 arriving!
And so, after returning the rental car, I checked in for AAL182 to Heathrow, operated by B767-300ER N344AN. Departing at 1905 and landing 7.30 hours later at 0735L, the connection was then onto BA125 to Bahrain, operated by B747-400 G-BNLO, off at 1120 and landing 6.40 hours later at 2000L.

Link to kevin perry photography: http://kevinperry.fotopic.net

Direct Link to this trip: http://kevinperry.fotopic.net/florida2010

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