Pictures while using frequent flyer miles

[Ranchero50]

Hey Adrian, good to see you posting again. You can resurrect the old Pbucket pics by adding ~original after the .jpg script.

The drop from $399 to $99 is probably a result of losing so much ad revenue from when we used to navigate the site to add content.

[adrianspeeder]

Thanks. Had an admin go through and fix all the links on my thread on fullsizebronco and I was like, "Dang that's a lot of work." Maybe a night I can't sleep or something it'll get done.

Adrianspeeder

[adrianspeeder]

Aperture Priority, f/3.5, 0.60s, 28mm, ISO 1600.



Fired up, fueled, and ready to fill.



Aperture Priority, f/3.5, 0.33s, 28mm, ISO 100.



Winglets win wars.



Walk around inspection complete. Crank the noise makers.



So the setup was for international deliveries into the Port-au-Prince airport, then be packed for sling load under CH-47 Chinooks to get food and water to all the villages that were washed out of access. Our first load in was a one stop shop of everything to put a fleet of shithooks in the air.





The two young guys with pencils out for real world schoolhouse learning.



Haiti in sight.



Mud mess showing this high up.

[popeyes71]

Awesome pictures my friend! I miss the updates from around the world from your trips! Thanks for sharing the pics with us and all is good when there is Colorado Kool Aid!

[Manny]

Fascinating photos!

[adrianspeeder]

Every hilltop was blown flat clean to ground level.



Mud mess.



Money making time for the drivers up front. Not being helped by completely overwhelmed controllers not used to the amount of traffic all heading inbound. We weren't behind on the aircraft, but for sure not in the best place position wise. If there is one thing we do the best, it's slow down and get down. Ye'haw!





"Reach 45 clear to land."



"The hell is that joker down there 2 o'clock low?" "Reach 45 is on the go avoiding traffic. Traffic is visual. Making left 360 in place." Afghanistan isn't even as wild west as this mess.



Roll tape take 2 has us parked, and ready to roll as soon as the junk's out the trunk.





Lets go Load, get your **** in one sack, we gotta go!

[adrianspeeder]

Putting the Cap'n to work standing ground for engine start scanning.



That's cute; they brought 5 pallets. We fit 18.



"Good single source of stable air off the APU, good hydro pressure, two fuel pumps, clear clocks, starting number one, button in, light on, timing."



Sexy lil piece of Boeing.



Way she goes!



Second stop of the day will be to go get and bring down some USAF combat controllers before these local clowns kill us all. Badass dudes that remind me of the quote in the movie On Deadly Ground. "He's the kind of guy that would drink a gallon of gasoline so he could piss in your camp fire. You could drop this guy off in the Arctic Circle wearing a pair of bikini underwear without his toothbrush, and tomorrow afternoon he shows up at your pool side with a million dollar smile and a fist full of pesos. This guy is a professional, you got me?" Totally smoothed out the flying operation within hour one of them on the ground running the show.



Day four or so had us at another pickup point for who knows what next, but if it fits, it ships.



Heavy duty hardware for a heavy duty distribution system.



Fat on gas, fat on cargo, max power takeoff, fighting for every foot into the air. Runnin' on the redline of EGT limits drinkin' at the rate of 60,000 lbs per hour.



"Reach 45; Departure control Kingpin; Can you give me your best rate of climb?" "I'm givin' er all she's got. We are a little fat today." Need more power!



Adrianspeeder

[popeyes71]

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin!! Thanks for sharing the pics!

[adrianspeeder]

Next link in the distribution chain.



At one time, someone's pride of the fleet. Not many 727's still in the air.



Go do work!



Kind of a Vietnam feel of a Kodachrome color correction.



French scarebus that brought in a load of aid workers.



See ya!



Inbound traffic in sight, we're holding short.



If we can turn around out there, you can to chief. Lets get a move on! Slowest turn around ever.



Line up and wait, sling loading in progress.



Helo's clear, we gone!



Adrianspeeder

[Ohiotinkerer]

Great photos as usual - glad to see you posting again! Always enjoy seeing what you are up to!..........

[adrianspeeder]

Minimum time back at home again, as the schedule is set to make a speed run into the desert. People on this one, so we need to put the erector set like seat kits together. Normally stored back on the cargo door folded up. If I ever see a hammer out when people are putting the centerline seats together, they'll get that hammer in the head. Even on the most clapped out, used for years, and worn latches can be put together easily with just a bit of soft touch.



Rant over as we are heading out with a load of peoples safely belted in.



Winter is coming and this will soon be snow. Too bad no skiing here.



Well well well, it's our favorite new copilot.
"You again friend?"
"My man!"
"Wait a minute Lt. What do you mean you've not been to Afghanistan before?"
"Chief, you should know this, I've only flown to places with you as the FCC."
"Fair enough. I need a new copilot!"



Game time. There's questionable characters in them there hills.



Rough side of town.



Scanning for threats while noting the weather of partly sunny with a chance of aluminum overcast.



The men that make the mission meaningful.



Welcome to the shitsville known as Afghanistan. Hero shot!



The jet has been quirky, takeoffs over the last two days have been late, we've run out of duty day once, and then the word is passed we are delayed again. What the hell now? Oh... Mission recut to the transport of a dignified transfer of a fallen soldier. Like she knew to rise to the occasion, the return flight in the direction of stateside flew without a hitch. We will get you to Dover AFB with pride, dignity, honor, and respect on your last flight home.



Adrianspeeder

[adrianspeeder]

Aperture Priority, f/3.5, 3.00 s, ISO 100, 28-300 @ 28mm



Aperture Priority, f/1.8, 1/8 s, ISO 100, 50 @ 50mm



Aperture Priority, f/1.8, 1/8 s, ISO 100, 50 @ 50mm



Aperture Priority, f/1.8, 1/2 s, ISO 100, 50 @ 50mm



Well well well, an old friend from 5 years before with a wiring job from hell. Good to see it still flying out and about. Next stop home, and see what the next flight will be.



Adrianspeeder

[adrianspeeder]

Here is an interesting trip where we were moving some important people around few stops over a few days in Florida. Got to spend a night with some family, and a copilot learned some tough training under an experienced commander while we went to a practice assault landing field to kill time on day 3.

Kickin' it with cousin Davey Gator.



Day two we all were invited to a fancy party. Hell yeah to free Coors Lite! Kickin' it with copilot snowflake.



Somewhere on a beach.





Kickin' it with the big boss!



Next day sunup startup.



Winglets win wars!



Workin' for a livin'.



Can't go forward; guess we'll back up and put on a show.



Light this candle!

[tsherry]

Here's a little blurb on that decomposing 727.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQwjz7VODhE

[popeyes71]

Again, thank you for sharing the pics my friend!