AA DC-3 "Flagship Detroit" ***VIDEOS ADDED***

**cancidas** · 2007-06-20, 12:59 AM

what a beautiful airplane! i was lucky enough to be able to break away from work for a few minutes to drive over and see this airplane. was a great time, and a few great stories were told, though not about this DC-3. i'll be missing tommorow, but got these tonight:

the guy in the jeans and black polo in the third pic is capt. abend, yes the same guy who writes for flying magazine.

by the way, i didn't edit them just resized. i'll edit and reupload eventually.

in some ways i'm very glad for the traffic tie-ups we had tonight. at least everyone sitting in airplanes on the taxiways got to see it coming in. it definately turned heads, and everyone who was around stopped by to take a peak.

**mirrodie** · 2007-06-20, 09:48 AM

In that second pic, there's some tool standing near the prop. (and some guy standing dangerously near his backside.)

Who the futt is that ?? ;)

**Ari707** · 2007-06-20, 09:49 AM

I watched it fly by on its way to LGA beautiful sound as soon as I heard it I knew what it was

**PhilDernerJr** · 2007-06-20, 10:20 AM

Yeah, I was gonna say he looks very familiar!

Nice shots, Matt.

**AirtrafficController** · 2007-06-20, 10:54 AM

nice shots

**emshighway** · 2007-06-20, 11:07 AM

Got into Hanger 3 early and took a few shots. Rumor has it they will do a low pass flyby the runway when they come back at arounf 16:00.

**AirtrafficController** · 2007-06-20, 12:32 PM

they really restored the aircraft nicely

**mirrodie** · 2007-06-20, 08:43 PM

Thanks forhhte background info on the plane Nwafan. Real nice to see that bird up in the air and so well kept.

Great photos y'all!

**LGA777** · 2007-06-20, 09:31 PM

Today was the most fun I've had at work in a long while (and not just because Spellman and Celmer where both off). Came in a few hours early and hung out with some old and new friends at AA and the "Flagship Detroit". Spent about half hour in the cockpit, most of it in the Captain's seat visiting with the friendly volunteer First Officer, also named Ron who has been flying DC-3's almost as long as I have been a resident of Earth. Had a nice quick lunch again with FO Ron and a nice visit with AA 767 Capt Les Abend of Flying Magazine fame who flys the 3 on his days off then it was off to work. Took a long lunch break from work and went back over for the departure on the sightseeing flight (which went out full) and thanks to a good friend at AA had a great access for the smokey, coughing startup (caught on video) the taxi past the three winglit equipped AA Boeings on Gates 3-5-7 with a water cannon salute behind Gate D7. Then our PA escort followed right behind the DC-3 for part of it's taxi to 4 down the west side avoiding the 20 something line for takeoff. We took position and after waiting for the Piedmont A-319 to depart the DC-3 roared passed us with the sweetest airplane sounds I have heard in years, what a RUSH ! Route of flight took it down to the Verizonno Bridge, then up the Hudson at about 1500 hundred feet to the Tappen Zee bridge, then back to LGA, which was using the Expressway visual to 31. But first a disappointing but well intioned low pass (at about 500 feet, not the 100 we had hoped) was flown down Runway 4 followed by a series of left turns to join the Expressway visual to 31. We almost missed it's flyby, as we where distracted by the emergency landing of a NYPD Helicopter which sat down on Spot 28, in the alley between the DL and US Shuttle terminals. The crew actually had concerns of making the airport, but made a safe but un-routine emergency landing. Got nice views of the DC-3 landing on 31 and arriving back on the AA Hangar line. After a quick second lunch compliments of AA LGA it was back to work and got to see the Three depart 4 for EWR around 1800. After a few left turns we watched her head south right down the Hudson at low altitude. All in all a wonderful two days around this amazing SEVENTY YEAR OLD Airliner that to quote and admirer who made the statement of the day, "They don't build em like this any more". Thank You Mr. Douglas.

Regards

LGA777

Pics and video when time permits

**PhilDernerJr** · 2007-06-20, 09:37 PM

Great report Ron! I wish I was able to make it.

I wanna hear more about hte emergency landing!

**emshighway** · 2007-06-21, 09:19 AM

NYPD Aviation reported overheating so they can into LGA hot "literally" :P

PAPD met them in full force (guess they didn't want those NYPD guys trying something on their turf :D )

**T-Bird76** · 2007-06-21, 09:44 AM

Great shots and story Ron, really enjoyed this post.

**mirrodie** · 2007-06-21, 10:19 AM

(and not just because Spellman and Celmer where both off).

Loved the play by play Ron. I felt like I was there! Hope to see the video soon.

**cancidas** · 2007-06-21, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by emshighway

that makes only the second place i've seen a rope used to chock an airplane. the RCAF uses rope on all thier airplanes i'm told. i've seen them do so at airshows with both snowbirds, CF-18s and CT-142s they brought to SNS.

Originally Posted by LGA777

...as we where distracted by the emergency landing of a NYPD Helicopter which sat down on Spot 28, in the alley between the DL and US Shuttle terminals.

that explained the very strange phone call i got from my instructor as i was picking up parts at diblasi ford.

and Ron, i'm sure you enjoyed me and Spellman being off from work. this way, you had Nemo all to yourself without the constant competition from Ryan.

**hiss srq** · 2007-06-21, 06:23 PM

Matt, Nemo gave me good reports on you though a few days ago, I hear you are actually better than me. Congratulations. No wonder I cannot hear it anymore when you eat taco bell.