Arsenal of Democracy

The Arsenal of Democracy was a memorial flight of vintage military aircraft flying unprecedentedly close to the core of Washington, DC, through airspace that is usually the most secure on the Eastern seaboard, taking place on May 8th, 2015 - the 70th anniversary of VE Day.  I'd known about the plans for the Arsenal of Democracy long in advance, thanks to my fortunate connection to the flight's Air Boss, who was a crew member I know from 2012's Space Shuttle Transport missions.  His insights confirmed the suspicions of many local plane spotters - that the Jefferson Memorial would be the most ideal spot to watch the historic flight.

If you can believe it, I had never been to the Jefferson Memorial until that day.  When I arrived, I met with a few planespotters I know from my coverage of airline events at Dulles.  A crowd had already gathered on the Jefferson's steps, awaiting the aircrafts' arrival.

It was at this point that the TBM broke off for emergency landing at DCA.  We were listening to the ATC comms and our hair stood on end when we heard them repeatedly telling the tower they were on fire.  It wouldn't be for several hours that we'd learn the actual cause for the cockpit smoke the crew encountered was caused by a hydraulic leak - you can, and should, watch the pilot's first-person footage of the emergency landing.

Fifi, an aviation buff favorite.

The display ended with the traditional missing man formation breakoff.

And of course, since I had never visited the Jefferson before, I had to see the inside of the monument before leaving.

2015 Dulles Day Plane Pull and 5K / 10K on the Runway

Dulles Day 5K / 10K On the Runway

Since 2013, the Plane Pull's 20th Anniversary, Dulles Day has begun with a 5K and 10K "Run on the Runway."  2015 continued this new tradition, with runners arriving at the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum to run along Dulles' R/W 1R / 19L, and adjacent taxiway.  Similarly to last year, United towed the stationary aircraft runners passed on their run to its position in the fog at sunrise.

If you're looking for the video footage, scroll to the bottom of this blog post.

The 5K / 10K sold out with 2,500 people running on one of the most notably flattest surfaces one could find outside of a competitive track.  Some familiar faces took part in the run, including some highschool and college classmates of mine with whom I ran track, as well as Dulles' Airport Manager, who has competed with his daughter in the run every year now.

Dulles Day Plane Pull

The Dulles Day Plane Pull is an annual fundraising event, taking place every year since 1993, which benefits Special Olympics.  Held the third Saturday of every September, this competition for charity draws 10,000 - 15,000 people each year, featuring dozens of display aircraft, games, prizes, concessions, and live entertainment, all in addition to the main event running all day, the Plane Pull itself.

Every year I photograph the car show first, since it is located right next to where I park my car on the apron as I cover this awesome event.  A few of these are regulars to the Dulles Day Car Show, as well as regulars to other car shows I frequent.

Dulles Day is kicked off during the Opening Ceremony, where the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department Honor Guard present our Nation's colors, the National Anthem is sung, and MWAA PD Chaplain Grant delivers an invocation prayer.  Sponsors then formally present Special Olympics with funds raised, and the festivities kick off!

The first team to pull is always the Special Olympics Team.

Kids are also able to pull non-competitively; the 1-2-3 Junk Truck is on hand for kids to get a feel for what it's like pulling an aircraft, on a smaller scale.

Dunk-A-Cop is one of Dulles Day's most popular attractions with the kids.  Dulles Day would be impossible without the cooperation of countless police, fire, and rescue agencies which donate their time and energy to help organize the event and run attractions such as the K9 Demonstration.  In this safe demonstration, officers and their K9 partners search for real explosive material hidden in a suitcase - dogs sit to signal "alarm" indicating which bag the dog detects the smell emanating from.

For the last several years, I have been privileged to fly in the helicopter that covers the "airport's open house" from the air.  Thanks to Steve Settle, a very funny guy I worked with in Engineering, who is also very integral to the planning of Dulles Day each year, for snapping this photo of me before our flight this year.

I do love my job with all my heart.  That's the Main Terminal in the background.

Each year I do this, I not only cover the event, but I make sure to request a flyby of the Main Terminal to grab aerial photos of it.

I also have a bit of video footage from the flight, but video is not my focus.  Scroll to the bottom of this blog post to see the video.

Eero Saarinen's historic Main Terminal Building at Washington Dulles International Airport, from the back and front.  This year, construction of the new Dulles Metrorail Station can be seen in front of Daily Garage 1.

In case you were wondering, this is the view if you look down from ~400AGL.  Depending on the tightness of the turn, you may look straight outward and this will be your view.

Some people think this is scary; I think it's fun.  And don't worry; everyone and every thing is strapped in, including cameras.

If you see just one pull, make it the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office, which are now the 9x defending champions.  This year they pulled a monstrous, record-setting time of 4.753s, once again beating out the Fairfax County Sheriff's time of4.946s.

Chesapeake gets fired up; everything they do is big.  Their heaviest teammate weighs in at over 500lbs.  Because they are the reigning champs, and hands-down the Plane Pull's biggest spectacle, they are always the day's last pull.

Just Plane Mamas is another notable team, defending champs for Most Enthusiastic.  They also won this year's Slowest Pull - yes, the Plane Pull awards everything!  It's about family fun!

After the awards were presented, the airport must return to full operation.  The public departs, and most of the display aircraft "go home."  This year, the President's Osprey was on display, and was quite a sight to see depart - this was my first time seeing an Osprey flight in person.

There is video of some of these aircraft departing at the end of this blog post.

As always, the 2015 Dulles Day 5K / 10K on the Runway and Plane Pull were huge successes, with impeccable weather.  If you missed it this year, you really missed it; but make sure to mark your calendar for September, and I'll see you all there again next year!

Video Footage

Photos are of course my primary focus, however I do usually shoot a bit of video because it is so unique and interesting.  Here is a reel of all my footage from this year's Plane Pull.

Castleton Festival's Viva La Musica 2015 Fundraiser Gala

A few select photos from Castleton Festival's Viva La Musica 2015 Fundraiser Gala, approved for release by the venue.

South African Airways, Non-Stop Service to Accra, Ghana

On August 3rd, 2015, South African Airways began service from Washington, DC to Accra, Ghana, introducing the A340-600 aircraft to accommodate the unprecedented range of this 10 hour air route.

Events began early in the morning, before the sun had even risen, as the inaugural flight arrived from Accra.  Passengers and the South African Delegation were welcomed to Dulles during a reception with comments from Marc Cavaliere, Head of the Americas, South African Airways.

In the afternoon, the flight was scheduled to depart Washington for Accra, and Discover Dulles guests, as well as airport passengers, were treated to a traditional South African music and dance performance at the gate, before the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Since I was photographing for South African, and needed to get the perfect Water Arch shot, Airport Operations let me manage where the Foam Trucks were placed for their arch.  I was joined by my longtime aviation friend James Dingell, who was interning with Airport Management at DCA this Summer.

After South African's aircraft departed, the Discover Dulles guests wanted to stay on the runway just a little longer (how often does the general public get to planespot while standing on an active runway? Never!) to watch British Airways' A380 blast off.  Air France's A380 was not far behind, but the airport needed to re-open our Taxiway, so they only got to see one A380 depart, which is still an awesome sight to see!

Aer Lingus at Washington Dulles International Airport

On May 1st, 2015, Aer Lingus made its return to Washington Dulles International Airport with daily non-stop service to Dublin, Ireland.  As with most major airline events at Dulles, Discover Dulles guests were invited to take part in the festivities, and watch on the runway as the inaugural flight landed.