How Close Is Too Close

A friend of mine sent me this picture and associated narrative. The illusion of an impending crash was too much for me to ignore. So I've posted it here for you to enjoy. ~elm

PS: If you are the photographer or the author, please post a comment. I'd love to know who took this picture.

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Here is a great optical illusion photo taken of a Lufthansa 747-400 and a United 757-200 that were on simultaneous approaches to runways 28L and 28R at San Francisco (SFO).

The separation requirement for flying parallel and simultaneous approaches is 225 meters (738 feet). These two aircraft are at a safe distance for the approaches they are each flying.

Due to the 747 being three times larger than the 757, and being slightly behind will give us this incredible optical illusion. Someone not familiar with aviation flight rules may very well see this and make an assumption that these two aircraft are only inches apart.

~Unknown

Planes Of Fame, Chino California

My brother in law Todd standing next to a Curtis P-40 at the Chino Planes Of Fame Museum. He went to visit the air museum after work with a co-worker. The Chino airport (CNO) has become a mecca for vintage aircraft. If you want someone to rebuild a vintage airplane for you, all you have to do is fly, or flat-bed the airplane to the airport and there are several business that can rebuild your airplane. What fun! If I had enough money that's what I'd do. Well, for those of us who are too poor to do that, we can fly or drive to Chino and enjoy the beautifully rebuilt airplanes in the museum's inventory.



Another beautiful example of the airplanes in the museum. This P-51 Mustang is featured on the museum's website. If you got some time you should check out their web-site.

Santa Paula Airport Ravaged By Mother Nature

Historic Santa Paula Airport (SZP) has sustained substantial damage in the recent California rains. Santa Paula is a really nice airport in a beautiful little valley. SZP is a great airport to practice somewhat challenging approaches. The proximity of the mountains on either side of the airport makes you feel clostrophobic. Plus you throw a few airplanes in the pattern with you and you've got a situation that will definately keep you on your toes.

As you can see from the photo below the damage is extensive. I heard on the radio estimates as high as $25 million to fix it. I hope they do. It would be a shame to lose this airport.



Here's a picture of Santa Paula when the river is behaving itself. Which, up until February of 2005 it always had.

That's a Cirrus?

My dad and I flew to McClellan-Palomar (CRQ) airport for breakfast (yeah, the $100 breakfast). Anyway, while there we saw this interesting airplane sitting on the tarmac next to the restaurant. I had never seen an aircraft like it before.

When I got home I decided to find out what I could about this aircraft. To my surprise this airplane is a kit-build from a very well known company. This aircraft is a Cirrus VK-30. While Googling information about the airplane I discovered that there was quite a bit of information about this specific airplane on the net. Here's some of what I found:

* air-and-space.com
* jetphotos.net
* FAA N-Number Search

Looking inside it appeared to be a 4 seater. I bet with the engine in the back its probably quieter than most front-engine aircraft.

By all information I could find on Google about this aircraft it is apparently based in Camarillo California. Camarillo, like Chino, CA, is an airport with a museum on the field and is a magnet for unique and vintage aircraft. If your interested in an adventure, I highly recommend visiting either of their airports. Both Camarillo and Chino are class D airports which makes navigating the traffic much easier.

Having One Of Those Days?

Looks like this pilot has a problem. The good news is that this is a Piper Archer which has a final approach airspeed of 65 knots. If the fuel tanks are empty and its just a couple of people in the airplane (in other words you are light), you can land as slow as 50-55 knots. I've flown many hours in Piper Archer's. I've found them to be dependable, easy to fly aircraft.

I'm sure glad I'm not this pilot. To be completely honest, while training for my flight review I never practiced for this kind of emergency. Hmmm, I just remembered, you cannot see your landing gear while flying an Archer, I wonder if this pilot even knows he has a problem.

I wonder what happened when this pilot attempted to land. Hey, anyone out there in the blogosphere know?? Well, if you do, post a comment and let us know.

I got this picture from a site that has a bunch of interesting airplane crash pictures. Check it out, I know you'll find it interesting: http://zeeb.at/oops/