Dulles: 6/8/12-The Grand Finale (Image Heavy)

[skyteam18]

Nick,

Excellent shots. I particularly like your photo of the Austrian 767 (and the one from last month too!) The winglets make the 767 a photogenic bird.

As for the COLGAN saab, I'll bet money that was a maintenance taxi. COLGAN has a mx hanger on the north side of the field next to 19C/1C. Frequently, they'll come out to run up the engines, test brakes, etc. But nice catch with those Continental Titles. Certainly something that won't be around too much longer.

Couple of questions:

I'm assuming the majority of these photos were taken from the daily parking garages? The one next to Cargo Facilities in the morning and the center garage for the 1R departures? It's been ages since I've shot from the garages at IAD and always had HeatHAZE in my photos. (And that was in the mornings/evenings... not MID DAY like so many artard spotters)

Have you ever captured any 1R turn to 30 approaches? One of these days I'm hoping to be at IAD when those ops are present. Wasn't sure if you knew a good place to camp out and grab those without trees getting in the way. -- Related Question: How has MWAA been treating spotters at Dulles since you've been shooting there? I got harassed a few times near the Smithsonian Parking Lot. Never was approached on the garages though.

General Question for the more adventurous spotters at IAD -- Has Anyone ever ventured to the western side of IAD to the fields behinds the woods just adjacent to runway 10 threshold? When the heavies go off 30 and turn northbound, I can imagine the bank action would be nice. I've looked at the sunlight-track for that location, and it doesn't look like it'd ever be like HOBE, but with some dramatic clouds near sunset, i'm sure you could bag a really nice silhouette shot. I don't think there are any gates keeping people from venturing back there, but it probably is private property... the kind of private property where you might find a toothless hick with a shotgun greeting you.

Nways, nice shots Nick. Good luck out west.

[megatop412]

1R circle to 30 approach captured in February


damn trees


Saab 340 wearing United words

[nexpos]

These shots are awesome. I especially love the Shamrock shot. That's frameable! Nice work!

[JBoulin94]

ave you ever captured any 1R turn to 30 approaches? One of these days I'm hoping to be at IAD when those ops are present. Wasn't sure if you knew a good place to camp out and grab those without trees getting in the way. -- Related Question: How has MWAA been treating spotters at Dulles since you've been shooting there? I got harassed a few times near the Smithsonian Parking Lot. Never was approached on the garages though.

Yes, walk out past the toll booths (keep in mind that's completely legal) and go anywhere under the 1R approach. I like walking down to the fence next to all the trees and road to the control tower. You'll need a longer lens (300mm at least), but the shots turn out great:




The MWAA and Washbalt spotters group have a great relationship, and I have never been bothered. Just call ops and no security will bother you at all. Last time I talked to ops they actually told me which runway to go to for the 748i landing. The airport has been great to us lately!

General Question for the more adventurous spotters at IAD -- Has Anyone ever ventured to the western side of IAD to the fields behinds the woods just adjacent to runway 10 threshold? When the heavies go off 30 and turn northbound, I can imagine the bank action would be nice. I've looked at the sunlight-track for that location, and it doesn't look like it'd ever be like HOBE, but with some dramatic clouds near sunset, i'm sure you could bag a really nice silhouette shot. I don't think there are any gates keeping people from venturing back there, but it probably is private property... the kind of private property where you might find a toothless hick with a shotgun greeting you.

I wouldn't do it......

[captmjk16]

Image heavy=great thread! Awesome shots Nick!

[NickPeterman]

Skyteam, Nexpos, and capt, thank you all! Of all my sets of civil aviation photography, this is the most pleased that I have ever been with the finished product. Definitely feel like I've come a LONG way from when I started a few years ago.