KCLT 11/11/12 - F-15 for NFL Flyover

[moose135]

A four-ship of F-15 Eagles arrived at Charlotte on Saturday afternoon, to fly over the Carolina Panthers NFL game today. The aircraft were out of the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing, known as the Bayou Militia. I met NYCAer Adam S and his father down at the cargo area for the expected Rwy 18L departure. We heard them crank engines around Noon - they were on a part of the ANG ramp directly across from where we were. They launched a little before 12:30, one after the other. After they departed, we headed over to the parking deck to catch their arrival after the flyover.

They kept it low over the runway, then pulled up for an unrestricted climb to 14K.

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-qcMfhJ4/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_83-0036_001-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-wNcrTJc/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_80-0029_001-XL.jpg

Framed with the wing of a UPS A300 in the cargo area, this guy kept it down until the end of the runway.

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-gCjP58L/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_80-0029_002-XL.jpg

Afterburners, Baby!

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-F7bTrJk/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_82-0037_001-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-cdTbdmv/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15D_83-0048_001-XL.jpg

Coming up initial for landing on 18L.

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-HQQB4FZ/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_80-0029_003-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-Vv6JQVC/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_83-0036_003-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-LQNBPGZ/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_82-0037_002-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-pWfTgzv/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_80-0029_004-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Airplanes/Airliners-and-Airport-Spotting/Charlotte-Douglas-Airport/i-qMkRcr6/0/XL/JM_2012_11_11_F-15C_82-0037_004-XL.jpg

Adam, it was great to meet you and your Dad - thanks again for showing me around out there!

[Gerard]

Great catch and love the pics of the aircraft with the fall foliage!!

[gonzalu]

Lovely Moose, just lovely... when are they getting F-22s? or aren't they?

[moose135]

Thanks guys! Manny, I haven't heard anything about F-22s for these guys. They upgraded to C-model F-15s (from As) only 6 years ago, and so far, all the ANG/AFR units flying Raptors are Associate units to an active duty wing.