Aviation: Flying M Photos

North to the Future

(Flying M Photos) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:23:36 GMT

I took this photo in Alaska in March 2008 at Girdwood Airport, a small dirt strip (snowcovered that day) about 40 miles south of Anchorage. I'd been flying the day before as a passenger on three incredible helicopter flights but did not have my camera aboard. (Don't ask.) The next day, I had my camera handy and snapped this photo on my way into Alpine Air's office at the airport. The clouds were caught up in the snow-covered mountains all around the airport, the sky was an amazing blue beyond it, and the bright red and yellow of the airplane really called out to me.

I think this photo will appeal to any pilot who dreams about flying in the bush and exploring far away locations.

Hiller

(Flying M Photos) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:27:09 GMT

This Hiller helicopter was one of two based in Brewster, WA in the summer of 2008. It was part of a multi-company fleet in Central Washington for the cherry-drying season.

N630ML at Pateros

(Flying M Photos) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:29:56 GMT

I brought Flying M Air's Robinson R44 helicopter to Central Washington State for the cherry drying season in the summer of 2008. For 10 days of that season, I was fortunate enough to be based at Pateros, where I stayed at the only motel in town: Lake Pateros Inn. The manager, a lover of helicopters, allowed me to park the helicopter on a grassy patch beside the building for the length of my stay. Needless to say, I got the attention of other motel guests as I came and went.

Sikorsky

(Flying M Photos) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:32:03 GMT

This beautifully painted Sikorsky is part of a fleet based year-round in Brewster, WA. Outfitted for passenger flight and able to carry 7 passengers, it's now used exclusively for agrigultural work, including cherry drying.

Two Hillers

(Flying M Photos) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:34:59 GMT

These two Hiller helicopters were based at the Brewster, WA airport for the 2008 cherry drying season.

Alaska Float Plane

(Flying M Photos) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:59:08 GMT

A float plane coming in for a landing at a busy Alaska port city. Alaska has more planes (and pilots) per capita than any other state in the United States.

N630ML at Spanish Fork

(Flying M Photos) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:55:50 GMT

I snapped this photo of my helicopter during a fuel stop at Spanish Fork, UT on a cross-country flight from Seattle to Page, AZ in August 2008. This is one of the first photos I made with my new 16-85mm Nikkor lens and I'm pleased with the results.