I knew a NetJets Gulfstream G450 was on the ramp at Mesa’s Falcon Field, and it was not scheduled to depart until the next morning. Gulfstreams being as sleek as they are, I thought it would be interesting to photograph the beautiful G450 the next morning, March 5, 2017, at sunrise.

Arriving at Falcon Field Sunday morning before sunrise, I was greeted with nearly complete cloud cover, which sank my hopes of a stunning sunrise. On the positive side, though, I hoped some interesting cloud formations would make up for the muted sunrise.

While at Falcon Field for three and one half hours, 6:30 am to 10:00 am, I checked out the newly renovated terminal building along with the Gulfstream G450 parked on the ramp. I also had the opportunity to talk to the NetJets pilots, and by coincidence, crossed paths with some beautiful vintage Warbirds.

Since the Gulfstream wasn’t schedule to depart until around 10:00 am and any hope for a spectacular sunrise was dashed by 7:00 am, I decided to walk down to the south end of Falcon Field to the Falcon Warbirds hanger where the final day of the Warbirds’ annual three-day Formation Flying Clinic was taking place.

When I arrive at the Warbirds hanger, the clinic pilots were in their morning briefing and their planes were parked on the ramp. My plan was to randomly capture the Warbirds for two or so hours, then walk one-half mile back to Falcon Field’s terminal area and photograph the Gulfstream G450’s departure.

Come along and join me on my sunrise walk.

Denny_D


PS The Falcon Warbirds occupy one of the original hangars at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona where U.S. Army Air Corps, British Royal Air Force, and Chinese pilots were trained during World War II. The public is invited to come out and see the Warbird Squadron aircraft.

http://www.falconwarbirds.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FalconWarbirds/