I headed out to Jacksonville to fly with the Sunseekers last month. I had flown with this squadron last fall and had a blast hopping from airport to airport for a few days. After my flight fell through with the P-3s, I headed over to check in with the squadron, only to find out that the aircraft for this mission was having issues. I ended up flying for an hour with the pilots to do the final check and the plane passed, so the mission was on!
The mission for this flight was from Jacksonville to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Whidbey Island on the first day and Reno, Oceana, Norfolk, and back to Jacksonville on the second day. We stayed the night in Whidbey and I got out shooting a little on the beach there. Along with me and the flight crew were a few Aerospace Experimental Psychologists. They were all great guys and it was nice sharing our experiences in the Navy, as well as in aviation. The flight crew was awesome too and I definitely had a blast taking pictures!
(Click to view larger in the lightbox as a slideshow!)
Heading to New Orleans
Touchdown in New Orleans
Taxing to the line
One of the pilots for the mission. Found out he was an F/A-18 pilot in Lemoore so we had plenty to chat about!
Pax brief - Just like on a civilian aircraft...
Lupo - one of the pilots for the mission
Illegally taking a picture on the flight line in Vegas. Take THAT Air Force...
"PoPo" - one of the Psychologists on the flight. He has TONS of flight experience.
The crew boarding in Vegas.
AWF2 giving the PAX brief.
Flying into Whidbey. It was overcast/rainy... Strange...
An awesome sky in the morning before we headed out.
The AEPs.
Flying into Reno/Tahoe Airport
He couldn't fly the C-40, but at least the pilots let him sit up front on the deck...
Flying into Oceana at dusk
Safely home