Lights,Camera, Action!

Republic Airport was once again the setting for not one, but two different television shoots last week. Damages, starring Glenn Close, was filming at the airport terminal for several days, transforming the Long Island setting into a small airport in Maine. At the same time, Unforgettable, with Poppy Montgomery, was filming in and around the SheltAir building, and on half of one of the airport's runways. They used the American Airpower Museum for meals, so several of us got to watch the action up close.

The scene they were filming out on the runway had a "suspect" attempting to flee in a light aircraft, while the "detectives" chase the airplane onto the runway, and shoot out the nose wheel to bring it to a stop.





The crew taxied the airplane up the runway, with a Dodge Charger chasing along side, and a camera truck following along for filming.




After dark, they headed into the SheltAir hangar, but also did a little filming outside with the airplane.

Photo Fun with Fred...

So Fred calls me up and says he's having a few photo folks over to have some fun and try some new things. With Fred, you never know what to expect, so you never say no! When I got there, he had a fish tank on the table, with extra flashes, some food coloring, and other assorted "playthings".




This is Fred, by the way...


Once we were done with the water, we dried everything off and started playing with lights.





These were created using (carefully) broken light bulbs in a work light holder. Just a quick touch of the plug into the outlet gives a spark of light and a wisp of smoke. A little off-camera flash and a black backdrop completes the scene. Very interesting to try, but if you do - take all necessary safety precautions!

As I said, you never know what you are going to end up with when Fred wants to try something, but it's always worth it!

It's That Time Again

The calendar page flips from 2011 to 2012, and another new year begins. Many use the new year as a reason to re-evaluate life, make new plans and changes. I've never been about making "New Year's Resolutions" - who needs that kind of pressure? Instead, I'll start the new year, and the third year of posting here, with a look at Jones Beach on New Year's Day. It's now three or four years that I've gone down to Jones Beach, to walk along the ocean and take a few photos.


"Happy" wouldn't sit still long enough for her owner to take a picture, so I offered to help.


Later this week, I'll take a look back at 2011, and some of my favorite photos from that recently departed year.

A Special Visitor to Republic Airport

The producers of the television show Pan Am were back at Republic Airport recently, filming scenes for an upcoming episode. And once again, they brought a classic airliner in for the shoot. This time, it was the Boeing 707 owned by actor John Travolta. The airplane is restored with historic QANTAS markings, and had temporary Pan Am colors applied for the show.


The transformation complete, the big 707 was ready for her close ups.



The American Airpower Museum once again hosted the production company, with the museum hangar being used to prepare extras, for catering, and as a backdrop for some of the scenes. Spending two nights - all night, until sunrise - with them, gave me the opportunity to meet many of the cast and crew, who were all friendly and happy to talk about their show. Lead actor Mike Vogel, who plays Captain Dean Lowrey on the show, is a pilot himself, and he spend much of his time between shots with museum volunteers, talking aviation.

This time, Republic Airport acted as a stand-in for Haiti, where the crew of Jet Clipper Majestic have to make an emergency landing in an episode titled Unscheduled Departure which will air this Sunday, November 13.

A Big Week of UN Visitors

Each year, the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly brings many of the world's leaders to New York City. The week is also a special treat for local area aviation photographers, as a collection of aircraft rarely seen in the area gather at Kennedy Airport. Kuwaiti government A310 on approach to JFK.

One of the highlights of the week - a Russian Il-96, the first time I've gotten a good photo of one of these.

This Boeing 727 brought the South African delegation.

When the President visits, the Secret Service brings in a variety of equipment and vehicles to support the trip. Here, an Air Force C-17, used to carry that gear, departs JFK.

Finally, the big VC-25 arrives as "Air Force 1".

And a short time later departs again, as "SAM 28", after dropping off the President.

But my catch of the year as far as UN traffic is concerned...a Colombian Air Force 767 Air Refueling Tanker departs LaGuardia Airport heading back home with that country's delegation.

It's only the second time that tanker has been in New York. A huge thank you to my friend Ron for alerting me to it.

Labor Day at the Museum

After days of packing everything away to weather Hurricane Irene, it was a rush to get things back to normal at the American Airpower Museum in time for Labor Day weekend.

Washing the Grumman Avenger.


The museum celebrated the Centennial of Naval Aviation this weekend, with our Corsair and Avenger seeing action.



One of the highlights for me - getting a flight in the museum's C-47.





Jim Vocell, museum VP of Operations and Chief Pilot, was at the controls up front.



It wasn't just a joyride, however. The flight was part of the museum's D-Day Experience, where patrons get a taste of what it was like for the paratroopers who dropped into Normandy on June 6, 1944.



We also had a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, including a "Missing Man" formation flyover to honor Lt. Bill Wheeler, who passed in June.



As always, there was plenty of flying to be seen. Chris Baranaskas and Glamorous Gal joined us...


After wrapping up the C-47 flights, Jim Vocell displayed his versatility, piloting the museum's B-25 and F4U Corsair.

A Sad Weekend

A clear, blue sky, white smoke trails, and the roar of engines - air shows are fun and exciting, watching skilled aviators demonstrate the capabilities of their aircraft as well as their own abilities. Unfortunately, behind those thrilling maneuvers, danger can be lurking. That simple fact was driven home this past weekend, when three separate accidents each claimed the life of an airshow performer.

At the Kansas City Air Show, pilot Bryan Jensen was lost in the crash of his biplane while performing before a large crowd of visitors during Saturday's performance. On Sunday, wingwalker Todd Green was performing his signature stunt - climbing from the wing of a Stearman biplane to the skid of a helicopter - when he fell about 200 feet to his death at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan.

On Saturday, after completing a demonstration at the Bournemouth Air Festival, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, of the Royal Air Force Demonstration Team Red Arrows, died in the crash of his BAE Systems Hawk T1 jet. Egging, an 11 year veteran of the RAF, saw combat in Afghanistan flying the Harrier jump jet before joining the Red Arrows for the 2011 season.

Condolences to the families and friends of these three fine aviators.