Space Shuttle: Pure Evo runway photos!
#1
Space Shuttle: Pure Evo runway photos!
Space Shuttle: Pure Evo Runway Photos!
What an amazing day. I was able to get into the airport and onto the runway for the fly-by and arrival of the Space Shuttle Discovery at Dulles Int'l. Airport this morning on its final flight. Really the opportunity of a lifetime.
A bit of a long story on how I got in and right up to the runway, but basically I was with the emergency personnel. A little talking got me right down to the end of the runway where the plane would touch down.
My arrival:
My escorts:
The planes did a fly-by, then headed down to DC to make a few laps of the Capital. Upon returning, they did one more fly-by and huge circle before coming back to land:
Long before the 747 landed, an escort plane did what I can only guess was a test landing to check conditions.
Finally the plane reappeared on the horizon, and this time with the landing gear down.
When the wheels touched down, my heart was pounding like I was a little kid at Disneyland for the first time. It was so exciting!
My favorite shot of the day. I got the escort plane positioned perfectly above the other 2 aircraft.
After landing, the aircraft taxied through the terminals towards the crane setup that will separate them
The plane held a while on the runway here. Despite the grandeur of the event, there was still normal airport traffic to deal with!
It then headed finally over to the crane:
And finally, here's a close up. I spent many days of my childhood drawing the Space Shuttle when I should have been listening in class. And now to be a part of this and see it up so close is truly unreal.
#8
Ninja edit! I get it, you're making fun of Justin
#10
He got the fly-by, and then the landing too. There is certainly way better footage on YouTube than mine!