CitiField Fly-by

[nikon50bigma]

I heard them over here which is a bit a-ways from CitiField.
I wonder if they circled around the downtown for a bit...

[njgtr82]

I heard them over here which is a bit a-ways from CitiField.
I wonder if they circled around the downtown for a bit...

Over the Statue of Liberty is where they were holding

[moose135]

I heard them over here which is a bit a-ways from CitiField.
I wonder if they circled around the downtown for a bit...

Over the Statue of Liberty is where they were holding

Which of course led to yesterday's panicky A.net thread "there are jet fighters over NYC, what's going on?" As if there isn't some sort of fly by over NYC just about every few weeks.

[PhilDernerJr]

Well, a tip from a friend got me to take a break from ADX practice and I headed to the shoreline for pics of the F-18s taking off!

However, there were FIVE of them that departed. However, there were only 4 in the flyby. Anyone know why?

They took off in pairs, with the 5th one departing alone.

First pair:


Second pair:

[Mellyrose]

Was there a moment of silence in honor of Harry Kalas? I heard there was... but didn't believe it.

Yes. It was the first thing they did before the ceremony started.

[LGA777]

Great shots Phil, my co-workers are all impressed with how great your shots are, especially in such so-so lighting.

At first I saw two in line, then the second pair. The 5th was un expected and took position on 13 as the second pair departed. The 5th was not here Monday and not really sure why today.

Of the several dozen times I have seen Military fighters depart LGA in the 23 years of working here I can only recall a few when they departed in formation like today, very cool. I would also say it has been about 3-4 years and maybe 8 or 9 times since they made a departure where they gained speed and then at the end of the runway pull all the way back and climb straight up. That was always a cloud pleaser and was like being at an Airshow at work.

Many of my co-workers from all departments love watching these departures and we make advance announcements of their departure, usually like today tipped off by the FAA tower who are nice enough to call on the bat phone. Today was a small group, only about 60 or 70 folks out on the ramp when they departed. I don't think anyone was dissapointed.

Again Great Job Phil

LGA777

[PhilDernerJr]

Thank you much! ISO400 helped a lot on those shots.

Nothing beats the sounds of fighters, especially when they are flying over my town! They all took a nice, easy left turn off departure and over College Point, and kept on turning until they were way overhead above the clouds.

[Steven Holzinger]

Usually that fifth aircraft is a spare, in case one breaks.

[SmAlbany]

Sorry that I'm late with this but I was away without my computer for a couple of days.

I had the fortune of flying through LGA on Monday evening (ALB-LGA-CMH) and was treated to the airshow.

I saw those F-18s taxiing to rwy 31 and said "Holy Crap!" to myself.

I took some so-so pictures of their departure (those windows in the terminal are dirty) but they are still on the flash card.

I'll post the pictures here when I get a chance to edit.

The interesting thing was that ATC thought that they were going to take off as a 4 ship formation. Instead they took off individually. An american eagle flight arriving on 22 had to go around. In the words of the eagle pilot "It was pretty close" I would say that it looked like an operational oops to me. I wonder if the eagle flight will complain.

[LGA777]

Usually that fifth aircraft is a spare, in case one breaks.

Not to doubt you but the 5th was not here for the actual flyover nor have I ever seen a 5th one at LGA in several dozen previous visits.

Respectfully,

LGA777

[SCOTYDEMCO]

Why not send 5. Probably a hometown boy. Get to spend a day in NYC.

Nice shots Phil! I saw one was painted on the tail.

[USAF Pilot 07]

The interesting thing was that ATC thought that they were going to take off as a 4 ship formation. Instead they took off individually. An american eagle flight arriving on 22 had to go around. In the words of the eagle pilot "It was pretty close" I would say that it looked like an operational oops to me. I wonder if the eagle flight will complain.

Formation takeoffs generally do take longer than individual takeoffs for many reasons (static t/o's, formation checks etc...), but they are also the most fun (to watch and to fly!). It's quite possible that LGA tower didn't realize that (based on them thinking they were going to do a 4-ship takeoff, I'm sure they didn't). The pointy nose guys (at least from my experiences talking to a bunch of MWS guys) don't seem to like flying solo through the weather, so I wonder if that's why they departed in formation.

In any case, hope there wasn't any immediate traffic conflict. If not, the FAA may have to violate four pilots with the same name: "ON FILE". lol

[SmAlbany]

Better late than never. Here are my shots of the F-18s departing for the flyby.

The lead had the lightning bolt colored


Ship 414


Ship 405


411 shows some afterburner


The ramp guys seemed to approve!

[PhilDernerJr]

GREAT shots! Good perspective. I was watching the runway from section 502 at ****ifield.

[coachrowsey]

Phil:
That was great. Thanks for sharing.