Shuttle Atlantis piggybacking on 747 arrives in FL (Pix)

Shuttle Atlantis arrived back at NASA shuttle Landing Facicity (TTS) today. I had been planning and hoping WX would kill off a shuttle arrival into TTS and it did. Since it flew into EDW a week days back I had been anticipating the photographic opportunitues that would come with a 747 Carrier arrival with the Shuttle. After several days of disappointing cancellations re-routings I finally got my shots.
The Route was as follows,
EDW, AMA, OFF, HOP, TTS

The NASA DC-9 was just as much of treat to get. I knew it would be coming and I was just as happy to get that as the 747.
When the 747 arrived he requested a low pass over runway 33 broke it off and then circled to runway 15. Luckily for me I was basically in the middle of its arcing flight path to the other side. A steep bank and high sink rate right put the carrier right onto centerline quite nicely with about 2-3 miles of on the final. He sunk it right in! Thanks for Steve and Rafal for for the assistance and periodic updates while I was in the field.

Dispite a yellow sun, 98% humidity and haze everything turned out pretty nicely.

These are quick edits. just pulled a few shots here and there.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/shuttle07xx.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/shuttle03.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/shuttle08.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/shuttle09xx.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/shuttle04.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/nasa932-01.jpg

Shuttle Atlantis (departure) shots from a few weeks ago taken at SFB)
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/shuttle01.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/shuttle02.jpg

Top notch shots Senga, I think the best I've ever seen of this bird and the shuttle together.

Outstanding Senga! Love the shots. Sure wish I was down there to catch her.

Fantastic shots Senga, glad it all came together for you.

awesome shots Senga

Senga:

You really did nail it! Congratulations on some great photos.

Thanks Guys,
These 3 will be a great addition to my collection.

Theres plenty fo time to get the next launch (early Aug). I'm going to try to get closer this time instead of just shooting it 35 miles away. Last time I totally forgot about the lift off.
Senga

Senga, as always you don't disappoint. Glad to see you taking full advantage of your time in Central Florida ! Great Job !

Ron Peel

Congrats. Why haven't you updated your copywrite date? 2003?

Senga, great shots!

I don't know if i'm the only one who cought this, but your watermark says (C) 2003, its 2007 bud :)

Awesome shots Senga!

Senga -- You are totally out-of-control. :lol:

Shuttle, NASA DC-9/7471 Those banking shots are incredible.

3 more show stoppers for your collection.

Tom

PIGGY BACK BANK?!??!!!!!!!...........high five senga! lol

- jMay

The Person to ask is Art Brett!..hes the one that added the water mark to my edits. I wasn't aware it said 2003 until you guys brought it to my attention. I think what happened was the last time he did a watermark for me was in 2003 and he probably just reused it and forgot to change the year.
Tom,
Yes 3 special aircraft in 1 day isn't too bad. I don't know about you guys but 100s and 200s are my favorite 747 series. Being able to get a new operator of a 100 series afetr so many years not is just fantastic.
Senga

::applause::

I would love to have the job of flying that pathfinder bird. DC-9's rock and I am a little of a nut job when it comes to flying in and around weather. Fog, heavy rain, snow but keep me a few miles out from the thunder boomers.

senga, as always amazing work! the bank and the paint on the 747 is lovely.

Once again, Senga fails to disappoint. Absolutely GREAT shots, your location could not have been better.

Thanks for the kind words guys. It was well worth the trip and the worrying that things worked out. I am very glad they did!

Out of all those 747 shots witch one do you all suggest I upload?

Senga

I think that bank one is the best - great light - great profile.

Witch one is that Mark?

Senga

#s 5 & 1 in the upload sequence you posted here Senga.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tom_Turner

#s 5 & 1 in the upload sequence you posted here Senga.

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I'll second that, those are my favorites too.

Ok thx,
I will have to decide witch one to use. It will make a great business card too.

Senga

Senga, I think they're too good to keep one buried. I hope you consider uploading the other one to A.net or Flickr or something.

A few thousand more people will be glad you did...

Tom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SengaB

Ok thx,
I will have to decide witch one to use. It will make a great business card too.

Senga

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Oh you mean JP?
Yea I'll get around to it sooner or later. sigh

Senga

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SengaB

Oh you mean JP?
Yea I'll get around to it sooner or later. sigh

Senga

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I thought thats you meant when you were asking which *one* you should "upload". I assumed JP. But only asking which *one* due to "Bad Double"? Hence the suggestion on the other(s). :D

Sorry - #5 Senga.

Great shots!

It must have been exciting to see!

Thanks you sir,
Yes it will be one of my more memorable aviation photography experiences. I just wish I always didn't have to see it through the camera's view finder.

Senga