IAD 4/20 Rain + Panning Action

[Iberia A340-600]

As I mentioned in my previous thread which has pictures from the 19th I said I'd be out at the airport on the 20th regardless of rain or shine. There certainly wasn't much shine!

The rain just kept coming and the thunder kept rolling. Before I arrived at the airport a little after noon apparently 2 aircraft had been struck by lighting earlier in the morning. I had my camera wrapped up in a plastic bag and would jump out of the car whenever something I wanted to shoot was on approach. My father and I chilled on the parking garage 2 for most of the day listening to the scanner and just enjoying some wild landings.

Later in the day the sun came out at some point in scarcity but created backlit shots. The cross winds were too strong to use runway 30 for take off so everyone was asking to depart from 19R which resulted in a lot of grid lock. Heavies were stacked up all along the taxiway in different places and they kept pushing them. It was very interesting to listen to ground sort out the issues. I was very thrilled to get the South African A340-600, shame it could not have departed earlier. At one point they were holding all the heavies and letting the narrow bodies go.

Enjoy the rain!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/phkch2.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/a7bab.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/a7bab2.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/a7bab3.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/dabvp.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/daifa.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/eidou.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/hzaif.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/hzaiv2.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/n218ua.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/n653u.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/n739ma.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/n768u.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/phkch.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/seree.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/seree2.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/zssnb.jpg

The cross wind was so strong that it had South African leaning to the right the whole take off!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/zssnb2.jpg

[MarkLawrence]

Nice shots Gordon - of course I LOVE the South African!! :)

[adam613]

Excellent, as usual...your panning shots are quite impressive...

[brontis5]

Gordon,

Great shots, I especially like the KLM MD-11 with its reflection in the rain and the SAS 330.

Later,

Brian

[cancidas]

nice shots, but good god that new UAL scheme is not very photogenic.

[SengaB]

Nice shots Gordon,
Did you happen to see any Tornadoes?

Senga