Airspeed - The Magazine for Aviation Photographers

Airshows from Coast to Coast A Guide to Reno Air Race International Airshows Aviation Nation and much more!

Northolt Nightshoot 2022 Dragos Munteanu

Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2022 Jeff Krueger Rob Tabor Dragos Munteanu Garmin KC Airshow David Walsh

ISAP

Wings Over Camarillo Joseph Jenkins

Wings Over Houston Kevin Hong Stuart Airshow Bill LaFlamme

California Capital Airshow

Jeff Krueger Rob Tabor

Aerospace Valley Air Show & STEM Exhibition

Bob Driver

San Francisco Fleet Week

Norman Graf

Wings Over Dallas David Walsh

Members

Airplane Silhouettes John Ford

Front Cover: Darkstar STEM promotional photoshoot for the “2022 Aerospace Valley Open House, Air Show and STEM Expo”. Adley Case poses with a Darkstar model in front of the full-scale movie prop as part of the promotional series. LEO Space Suit provided by WonderWorks inc.

There’s a portable light tower illuminating the aircraft along with a smaller LED light panel providing a red cast for effect, both located camera left. Light on the model was provided by a mobile and tall (Garry Tice) working the soft-box overhead.

Photo by Bob Driver

Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 24 - 120mm ISO 2000 Shutter speed: 1/125 Exposure: f/8 Processed in Adobe RAW and Photoshop

Back Cover: LCDR Ricky LeFils “LoLo” performs homecoming flyover in F-18 Super Hornet for family. The Golden Dragons, VFA-192, CAG 2, return to Naval Air Station Lemoore after an 8.5 month deployment in 2022.

Photo by Toni LaSalle

Composite Family Camera: Nikon 850 Lens: Nikon 24 - 70mm f/2.8

ISO 160 Shutter speed: 1/4000 Exposure: f/4

Jets: Nikon D7200 Lens: Nikon 55 - 300mm f/4.5

ISO 320 Shutter speed: 1/8000 Exposure: f/4.5 Processed in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom

National Championship Reno Air Races Kevin Hong

Vaporfest Norman Graf

Orlando Air and Sea Show Bill LaFlamme

Anzac Airshow 2022 John Nash The Virginia State Police Aviation Unit Rick Charles

Member’s Showcase Bob Driver Larry Grace Timothy Smith Scott Slingsby Kevin Hong

Thunder Over Louisville Norman Graf

Meet Our

Jeff Deckman John Malinowski Bruce Fortelka Toni LaSalle

Rick Charles

The goal of International Society for Aviation Photography (ISAP) is to bring together our members who share a love of aviation, and want to preserve its history through their images. Through our organization, members can seek to enhance their artistic quality, advance technical knowledge, and improve safety for all areas of aviation photography while fostering professionalism, high ethical standards, and camaraderie.

ISAP continues to help our members to better their photography skills, workflow, and set up resources to help with business questions that our members have. Updates are being made to the ISAP website and member portfolio section, and we are showcasing ISAP members’ images and accomplishments on our social media pages.

The new Airspeed magazine will highlight ISAP members and their photography, experiences, and their passion for aviation from around the world. From military and commercial aviation, you’ll be able to see it all while learning about aviation photography, post processing tips in Lightroom and Photoshop, aviation history, air show reports, aviation museums, and more. We look forward to sharing our members’ images and articles with everyone.

Enjoy this issue of Airspeed!

Sincerely, Larry Grace, ISAP President Kevin Hong, Airspeed Editor International Society for Aviation Photography www.aviationphoto.org • www.facebook.com/ISAPorg

Airspeed is a periodic publication of the International Society for Aviation Photography and is used to communicate news, functions, convention information, and other information of interest on the local, regional, and national scenes. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and should not be construed as the views or opinions of the International Society for Aviation Photography.

Brent Ovard Daragh Bulter

Dylan van Graan

David Shirah

David Walsh

Gary Edwards

Jim Froneberger

Josh Hill John Malinowski

Jim Sugar John Sepp Kip Sumner

Marc Adam Sherman

Paul Csizmadia

Patrick Lalande

Rich Charles Robert Eastman Glenn Riegel

Steve Zimmermann

Taggart Gorman

Toni LaSalle Timothy Smith

Kevin Hong

Aviation themed night shoot events are becoming increasingly popular in Europe. Many of these events are taking place in the UK but this trend started slowly in continental Europe. Some of these are organized in aviation museums and some at air bases or airports. The “standard” photographic equipment involves a tripod, a camera with a lens that can open to f/2.8 or more, a camera remote release and warm clothes. The remote release is quite important as no vibration is transmitted to the camera body.

One of the long standing nightshoots is the one organized at RAF Northolt close to London, UK. RAF (Royal Air Force). Northolt is an active airbase used for military and private aviation flights. The first session was organized in 2009 and recently session 27 took place in October 2022. The aircraft assortment is always diverse, and the event has many fans and regular participants. This October session was the first post pandemic, so it was very well attended by enthusiastic photographers. Beyond the unique opportunity for aviation photographers, the Photoshoot serves a very practical mission. The organization of the event supports the restoration of building 27 on the base and its operational control

room to its 1940 original form. The building and the ops room were used to develop the world’s first integrated air defense system that was one of the key points in winning the Battle of Britain in World War II.

The event lasts around 3 hours and photographers can photograph planes and helicopters parked on the airbase platform. Most of the machines arrive during the day, some of them coming only for a refueling stop during the event and leave as soon as fuel is uplifted. If the plane is propeller equipped this is an excellent opportunity to get full propeller disks when engines are started.

The participants this October were: a Hurricane, a Westland Whirlwind helicopter, a Gazelle helicopter, an Irish Pilatus PC-12, a Canadian RCAF C-130J, an Agusta A109 helicopter and an RAF Airbus A400M Atlas transport plane. The hangar doors of the resident London Air Ambulance were wide open so the two MD 902 Explorer could also be photographed. Nightshoots are getting more traction for aviation photographers and the RAF Northolt is an established reference in this area.

NORTHOLT

NORTHOLTNORTHOLT NIGHTSHOOT 2022

Article and photos by Dragos Munteanu

Royal Canadian Air Force

Gazelle – UK Army Air Corps

Dragos Munteanu

Westland Whirlwind

Dragos Munteanu

Dragos Munteanu

Irish Air Corps Pilatus PC-12

Dragos Munteanu

Dragos Munteanu

NELLIS AFB AVIATION NATION 2022

Krueger

Article and photos by Jeff

After leaving Phoenix and dodging storms all the way to Las Vegas on Thursday before the Nellis Aviation Nation Airshow weekend, we made it and decided to see what photos we might get of arriving aircraft for the weekend airshow. As always there were a number of photographers outside the base. As the final storm of the weekend passed, we got a few photos and prepared for the show.

The weather for the next 3 days worked out perfectly. It was chilly in the mornings but warmed up and clear skies made for several days of good shooting. A few puffy clouds would have made it perfect, but we all know how that works. This was primarily a military show, but there were several aerobatic performers as well.

Having the mountains in the background made for both a nice photo opportunity, but also some challenges photographically. Trying to get a clear image of the aircraft against the mountains but still working on a bit of a blur background to show motion made for an interesting opportunity.

Clearly, as Nellis AFB is home to the USAF Thunderbirds, they were the stars of the show all weekend. The Navy had presence with a number of Growlers, and there was also the F-35 and F-22 demo teams, which by the way was the final flight for “Cabo” in the F-22. A USAF Special Missions demo including A-10 ground support was included all 3 days. Among the civilian acts including Jodi Rueger and Rob Holland, there were a lot of fun aerobatics to watch.

Friday was Friends and Family Day and then both Saturday and Sunday were public days. By the end of the weekend, I had a lot of CF Express cards to download and although I have been shooting my Canon R5’s for some time, having the 3 opportunities to see each of the teams and performers, I spent some time experimenting with certain settings and menu options I hadn’t really used before. Some successful, some not so much, but this year’s Aviation Nation was a great opportunity. This was a good end of my 2022 airshow season.

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

ROB TABOR

I once read a quote that seems fitting for a trip to Vegas. “Life is like a poker game, it’s not the cards you’re dealt, it’s how you play them”. That being said, Aviation Nation usually deals a pretty good hand and is a solid bet.

The show was on a two year hiatus and though there were a few changes in the overall lineup, it was similar to the 2019 show. As always, it was well worth the nine hour drive to get the opportunity to shoot for three days at what I consider to be one of the better airshows out there, and as an added bonus, I got to see and shoot with some great friends again. Nellis has long been a beacon that pulls aviation photographers in from all over the world and this gave me the distinct pleasure to finally meet some friends from the social media realm in person.

The shooting conditions were challenging with the usual suspects of backlighting, heat haze and the throngs conspiring against you. Fortunately, the show line at Nellis is quite long, which affords the chance to

change position to make the most of the lighting conditions throughout the day. Saturday brought some welcome clouds to add interest to the otherwise bald skies, but on the downside, for some reason, the heat haze seemed worse that day. During the combined arms demo, practically all participants were dispensing flares. Unfortunately, this was mostly occurring at the far east edge of the show box. Against my better judgment, I gambled on switching to DX crop mode (750mm) to try and get a decent shot, well, let’s just say, I lost that bet. Also, it was good to see the Navy at the show. The Growler Demo and Super Hornet Demo were impressive and made for some of my best shots.

Overall, it ended up being a great show. Even though there were rookie mistakes made and several shots that eluded me, I’m still reasonably satisfied with the takeaway. I know I say this every time I write one of these and I will continue to do so, but no matter how well, or not, my photo outings go, the one constant is how much I enjoy my time with great friends and fellow ISAP photographers.

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

DRAGOS MUNTEANU

I have always dreamt of an airshow in the US – living in Europe I am accustomed to the ones here, so seeing a famous event like this was on my shopping list for some time.

The setting of Nellis AFB is so special that any aircraft evolving with this amazing background will look surreal. The desert light, the clear air and sun...what more can a spotter ask? A multitude of fighters perhaps and there were fighters…The Navy started the jet sessions with the Growler Legacy Team followed by the West Coast Rhino Demo and their demos were so plentiful of Super Hornet capabilities – it was a pleasure to watch and photograph.

The Combined Arms Demo was a section of the airshow I was looking forward to photographing. I was fully rewarded by the dynamic scenario

and the various aircraft types involved - F-16s, F-35s, A-10s, F-15E, F-22 and HH-60 Pave Hawks. Shooting all these aircraft with the mountains as a background gets photographs that will last a lifetime as a memory.

We don’t have the jet fire trucks at all in the European airshows...I knew about these but seeing it two times felt very refreshing. The aerobatic acts were also enormously powerful, and the T-33 was another shopping list wish secured in photos.

And the show closed with the Thunderbirds showing at their home base. I have seen them in Europe several times but the Nellis background changes everything. Their show was perfect in all respects, and it completed a superb event. I have become a fan of the Nellis Aviation Nation so I am ready to return for the next airshow.

Dragos Munteanu

Dragos Munteanu

Dragos Munteanu

Dragos Munteanu

Dragos

Dragos Munteanu

Dragos Munteanu

This year’s airshow was in Kansas at the New Century Airport about 45 minutes south of Kansas City. The weather was perfect on Saturday for a high show and Sunday with a low cloud cover we were given a low show. With over 26 performers at the airshow, the fans were well entertained by all the pilots and aircraft. The spectators where also able to walk the static line and see all the vintage aircraft.

The USAF Thunderbirds were the main attraction, along with the A-10 Demo Team and the EA-18G Growler Legacy Team, Golden Knights, Skip Stewart, Adam Baker, Kevin Colman, Patty Wagstaff, Bill Stein, Mike Goulian, Matt Younkin, Aaron Fitzgerald, Kirby Chambliss, AeroShell Aerobatic Team, Rob Holland, KC Flight Formation, Shetterly Squadron, Jeff Boerboon, Tom Larkin, Bob Carlton, Jim Peitz, After Shock, Red Bull Sky Diving Team, Heritage Flight, Sam Graves and Doug Rozendaal.

Article and photos by David Walsh

Shutter speed: 1/250 Exposure: f/20 ISO: 125 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z100 - 400mm

Skip Stewart in his Pitts S-25 Prometheus.

TBM 3 Avenger from the CAF Missouri Wing. Engulfed in show smoke from the AeroShell Aerobatic Team Burnout. Shutter speed: 1/70 Exposure: f/20 ISO: 200 Camera: Nikon Z7II Lens: Nikkor 24 - 70mm

David Walsh

David Walsh

AeroShell Aerobatics Team in their T-6 Texans.

Shutter speed: 1/320 Exposure: f/20 ISO: 125 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z100 - 400mm

Shutter speed: 1/1600 Exposure: f/5.6 ISO: 400 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

United States Navy EA-18G Growler from the Growler Legacy Team.

Shutter speed: 1/1600 Exposure: f/6.3 ISO: 200 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 opposing knife edge pass.

Shutter speed: 1/1600 Exposure: f/6.3 ISO: 200 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 diamond pass in review.

David Walsh

Heritage Flight – Maj. Haden “Gator” Fullam A-10 Thunderbolt – P-51D Happy Jack’s Go Buggy. Shutter speed: 1/320 Exposure: f/18 ISO: 125 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

Shutter speed: 1/250 Exposure: f/18 ISO: 200 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

Skip Stewart in his Pitts S-25 Prometheus.

1/1600 Exposure: f/6.3 ISO: 200 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

United States Navy EA-18G Growler from the Growler Legacy Team Shutter speed:

United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 diamond pass.

Shutter speed: 1/1600 Exposure: f/6.3 ISO: 200 Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

For many years I have always wanted to watch the Reno Air Races in person and get the full racing experience at the pylons. This year for the first time I finally got a chance to see for myself what the big deal was all about. Although it’s an expensive endeavor and due to the simple fact that you have to pay some travel and hotel expenses due to the race weekend I decided to bite the bullet and go on a once in a lifetime journey.

Every year I heard about the epic battles of the unlimited races between Strega, Voodoo, and Rare Bear. Planes screaming over 500 mph down the Valley of Speed and jets howling around the course. Throughout the years I had to work an airshow on the same weekend as the race but decided to go. To prepare for the trip I talked to many friends who raced at the event, shot photos, and even worked the event. I was very fortunate to get some great tips and get the lay of the land before heading out there. For me I decided to go as a regular media person to see what it was like and I learned a lot.

I would like to thank fellow ISAP member and friend Arnold Greenwell for preparing me for what could have been a painful endeavor. His knowledge on the buses and process for the pylon judging areas were a great help including what to pack for weather. You never know how hot or how cold the weather would be early in the morning. Taking a chair was also a very good suggestion as well. So, for everyone who has never

gone to Reno like me I hope my story will help guide everyone through the process to shoot photos around the Reno Air Races.

I would also like to thank Canon for sending me some cameras and lenses to test out. If you have never joined the Canon Professional Services my suggestion is to become a member. I was able to test out a Canon R3 and Canon R6 with some lenses. RF 70 – 200mm f/2.8 and a RF 100 - 500mm.

One thing that was a huge damper for this year was the forest fires. Smoke from the forest fires ruined a lot of the races each day and cut the events short due to the horrible visibility. If the forest fires appear during the week of the Air races or before I would take that into consideration and would probably not go next time. I was able to get some great photos but can’t imagine what I really could have gotten if I didn’t have smoke and haze to shoot through. I am grateful for what I got and met some great people.

A few months before the races I applied for media credentials. Due to some of the changes with a new media company handling the media credentials I finally got a response and got my credentials approved. Unfortunately, due to the slow response some international media we not able to attend due to the increase in travel costs for plane and rental car accessibility. Earlier in the year I learned if you don’t book a hotel room

AIR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Article and photos by Kevin Hong / Airspeed Editor

and rental car for the Reno Air Races you may run into some issues since they run out. However, since the races are not as greatly attended I was able to secure a car and hotel room.

On the first day I was able to find my way to the media parking lot and building where I was issued a packet and an explanation of the rules including a large sticker that had to be worn each day identifying each photographer with a number. Attending the Air races for the first time was intimidating since I had never been before and had no clue where to really go to meet for the buses to go to the pylon judging areas. I was warned that there were a limited number of passes given out each day for buses going out to the pylons in the morning and afternoon.

Once I was able to find out where the media met every morning for the briefing I got a chance to learn a lot more about the process and how to get out to the pylons. Eeach day a certain number of tickets were handed out to photographers to go out on two buses. One goes east and one goes west in the morning and same goes for the afternoon. Since I’ve never done this before I didn’t have any expectations to get on any of the buses the whole week but would be very humbled to get a pass if there was room.

I learned the morning bus for the West filled up very quickly however no one wanted to go out on the East bus except one elderly woman who

said well I’ll go East if anyone wants to go. I looked at her and said well I’ll go. We soon found ourselves needing three other people to go since a minimum of 5 people were needed to go. What I didn’t know is who this elderly woman was and soon found out she was royalty. She was none other than Marilyn Newton, the Grand madam of news photography in Reno. She had been covering the Reno Air Races for over 50 years.

Well we did find 5 people and headed out East. The smoke started to blow in and had a delay for the first biplane race of the morning. With the smoke blowing in we weren’t sure if any races were going to happen but during the delay I was able to learn how the pylon judging works and spent some time with the nice folks at Inner pylon 2. While talking with the folks I was able to eat some ice cream and experience why you bring a chair. I made good use sitting out and waiting for the race to begin. Eventually a race did begin and noticed the lighting but couldn’t tell due to all the smoke in the air. Even though the smoke was horrible I did learn that it wasn’t a bad place to shoot from and saw some interesting shooting angles to capture people and the planes.

After a few laps we were done. The smoke became so bad we had to drive back in and see if conditions would improve for the afternoon. It was a good first run for me to learn the system of how it works to get on the bus and what I could take with me. The charter buses were big enough for us to carry a rolling bag and a chair to store underneath the

AIR RACES

bus. Bottled water was provided and there are porta potties provided at each pylon. While we were at the pylon area you do have to pay attention to the parameters on where you can walk during each race and what time you have to be back on the bus. I can tell you things happen very quickly and you don’t want to be the guy that holds the bus up from leaving to get back to the media area.

Upon returning to the media area the smoke continued to roll in as we waited to see if the visibility would lighten up for an attempt to do an afternoon race. While waiting I did learn there were other races you could put your name down for as a part of a drawing for the formula 1 race where you were allowed to walk around the planes before they started. There is also an option to borrow one of the media vests for two hours that allows you to roam around certain areas to shoot the STOL race competition. Had no idea what that was all about but soon learned it was way more entertaining than I thought it would be later on in the week. Since I’ve never seen any of these races I wanted to walk the entire show and learn as much as I could so I know what to expect next time.

Later on in the afternoon I was able to get a ticket to go on the West bus for the afternoon. It seems like I was doing the opposite from everything the cool kids were doing due to the lighting and terrain but didn’t matter to me since I wanted to see everything throughout the different times of the day and see it for myself. It was really tough to tell on some days because of the smoke and haze however I did come to the conclusion there were a lot of amateur shooters who really didn’t know what they were talking about so I was happy with the choices I made on the days I went. Now there were some guys who had been coming for years that were some veteran shooters so I did take in some tips that were very helpful especially going on the East bus during the afternoon. The lighting not so much but standing on the cliff overlooking the airport below was a pretty neat perspective.

While we waited for the visibility to clear throughout the week I got a chance to experiment with the Canon R3 with the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM and the Canon R6 and 24 – 105mm f/4L IS USM and actually played with the RF 70 - 200mm f/2.8L IS USM. The R3 was totally amazing and got a chance to play with the eye control AF. After playing with the sensor and letting the camera learn how to track with my eye I was starting to understand the Terminator side of the AI world. It was incredible to see the camera to start tracking whatever my eyeball was focusing on. There’s no doubt in my mind that I would not have been able to get some of the photos I got without the tracking of the cameras and lenses. I did try the different settings between vehicle and animal tracking and found I did have more success with the animal tracking than the vehicle tracking. At certain times I did turn the tracking off completely due to the terrain behind the planes looking down into the valley. It was a challenge with the combination of terrain and smoke.

One thing I did do differently as well was started mounting my iphone on a camera shoe mount of the dslr to shoot video. It was amazing and being able to not only shoot stills but also capture the videos with the sounds of the planes racing overhead was amazing. I do recommend if you do go to the races and you are able to get on the pylon buses you will not be disappointed.

For the races I was able to witness it was amazing to see. I got a chance to really hear the jets and radial engine sounds from Sea Fury and Mustangs. The challenge of catching these planes zipping overhead while trying to get the iconic Reno pylon in the photos was something I will never forget. It is the only place in the entire world where this type or racing exists and now I was one of the few who have had the rare opportunity to listen to the sights and sounds in the Valley of Speed. It truly was a magical place where man and machine become one to race through the sky.

There is actually a lot to see other than going to the pylon areas. Going to the pit areas to watch everyone wrench on the planes was a lot of fun. I didn’t know much about the different types of racing classes so it was very educational for me to see the history behind some of the P-51 Mustangs and sport classes of aircraft. I got a up close look at some of the maintenance that goes into these fast planes and why Reno is the NASCAR of the sky.

I had a great time learning about the STOL drag race competition and the skills needed to compete. Who knew races like that existed and that there would be nonstop action in between the heats. Each racer had to take off and land coming to a complete stop then turn around and race back. The challenge was coming to a complete stop and turning around. I actually enjoyed watching the races.

There was about one or two days where I was able to enjoy the sunset with minor smoke and haze. The people would come out and walk

around as the night life started to take off. The photo shoots and parties would start up with some test runs of radial engines. It was actually nice to see a relaxed atmosphere where everyone could hang out and relax on the tarmac.

On the last day of the Reno Air Races I decided not to go out to the pylons and decided to be on the crowd side to watch the races. I also had a special opportunity to capture the duck walk and trophy presentation after the unlimited race. Sadly, due to the jet crash of Aaron Hogue in the L-29 I was not able to shoot photos during the Jet Gold Race on Sunday. It was a tragic ending to the National Championship Air Races 2022. My deepest sympathies go out to the pilot’s families and friends. Many of my friends asked if I would got back to Reno Air Races and even though I experienced smoke from forest fires and the jet crash at the end I think I would like to come back again. However, if there are forest fires burning during the week of the race I may have to think about it.

Kevin Hong

Morning media briefing and posting of schedules.

Pylon judges at Inner pylon 2 and a photo of Marilyn Newton, Grand madam of news photography in Reno. She had been covering the Reno Air Races for over 50 years.

Pylon judges make sure the biplanes don’t cut inside the pylons. Time deductions are issued if the planes cut inside the pylons.

Biplane race at pylon 5.

Kevin Hong

Working on the T-6 for the next race.

Kevin Hong

Start of the jet class race.

STOL Drag competition.

Kevin Hong

National Aviation Heritage Invitational.

Kevin Hong

Some of the different vantage points from shooting at the pylons.

Kevin Hong

During the unlimited race you can see some great warbirds racing.

Kevin Hong

Sport class Lancair Legacy “Lucky Girl” flown by Vicky Benzing.

Kevin Hong

Steve Hinton didn’t have time to chat but said he would wave at me later. He keeps his promise.

Activity on the ramp after each race.

F-22 Raptor Demo team driving by the crowd.

L-29s Pete Stavrides and Aaron Hogue racing in the jet class race.

California International Airshow Salinas is like San Francisco’s Fleet Week, it is often bedeviled by the humid marine layer. This year was no exception, as the fog rolled in on Saturday just in time to ground the headliner F-35A Lightning II demo. Luckily, the organizers rearranged the schedule for Sunday’s show. This meant that Major Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, pilot and commander of the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, performed under clear blue skies, but with a dew point just under ambient temperatures. Conditions were perfect for a vape fest and BEO did not disappoint. Pretty much every maneuver ended up pulling an immense amount of vapor out of the humid sky.

VAPORFEST

Article and photos by Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

ORLANDO AIR AND SEA SHOW

LaFlamme

Article and photos by Bill

The arrival of the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds at the Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Bill LaFlamme

Thunderbirds on the ground after arriving from California from their previous day air show.

U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds support personnel arriving from Travis AFB. in a C-17 Globemaster.

Bill LaFlamme

Crowd standing for our National Anthem at the start of the show.

Bill LaFlamme

Bill LaFlamme

Major Joshua “Cabo” Gunderson piloting the F-22 Raptor.

West Sale Airport is located 208 km east of Melbourne, Victoria’s capital and 10 km west of Sale in the picturesque Gippsland region of Australia. On 23-24th April, 2022, West Sale Airport hosted the inaugural ANZAC Weekend Airshow. It is noteworthy that the Sale region has a rich military history which includes Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base East Sale, home of the Central Flying School and the RAAF aerobatic team - the Roulettes.

After a two hour flight across two states, an hour waiting for baggage due to COVID staff shortages, followed by a two and a half hour drive, my son and I arrived in Sale at approximately 2 am on Saturday morning 23rd April. After a short battery recharge we headed for West Sale Airport, five

minutes west of our motel. On arrival we picked up our media passes, conducted a reconnaissance of the public access areas before heading for the western end of the flight line. This would be our home for the next two days, providing good access to static aircraft, ground movements and air displays.

Aircraft performing air displays included Paul Bennett’s T-28 Trojan, TBM Avenger, Edge 540 and Wolf Pitts Pro, Jeff Trappett’s CA-27 Sabre, as well as current C-27J Spartan and Pilatus PC-21 aircraft from the RAAF. Numerous other aircraft also provided static and airborne displays. Also flying at the show were several aircraft from 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook. This squadron was formed to preserve the heritage of the RAAF

Article and photos by John Nash

which celebrated its centenary in 2021. Not to take away from numerous other display aircraft, some of the highlights of the show were Paul Bennett’s “Wall of Fire “ and the dual aircraft “Sky Aces’ display, along with the ever popular displays by the RAAF Roulettes.

Members of the public arriving early had an opportunity to experience an ascent and descent in the RAAF hot air balloon. Between air displays there was a chance to grab a meal or souvenir from the many vendors whilst listening to live music provided by members of the RAAF band. Poster signings by members of the “Roulettes” also occurred throughout the week-end, along with a chance to get up close to an RAAF C-27J Spartan operated by No. 35 Squadron, RAAF Amberley.

Like most aviation photography exploits, new acquaintances soon developed amongst the various photographers and participants, adding to the overall enjoyment of the event.

Whilst atmospheric conditions were not optimal for aviation photography, the ANZAC Weekend Airshow once again confirmed the value of traveling to aviation events in regional areas. They often provide unique opportunities with easy access to a variety of aircraft, whilst bringing economic benefits to the area. Many thanks to the organizers and all those involved with this well attended, family oriented event.

John Nash

John Nash

John Nash

John Nash

John Nash

VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AVIATION UNIT

HIGH TECH PUBLIC SAFETY AVIATION FOR THE OLD DOMINION

The Virginia State Police (VSP) Aviation Unit is a state-of-the-art law enforcement and rescue resource that serves various functions across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Headquartered at Richmond Executive Airport (Chesterfield County Airport, KFCI), the unit provides support to law enforcement operations, conducts search and rescue (SAR), and provides critical care-level emergency medical services (EMS)/medical evacuation (medevac) missions from three bases using a mixed fleet of fixed and rotor-wing aircraft.

On a cloudy day in Chesterfield County, just south of the state capital of Richmond, the VSP Trooper-Pilots, civilian pilots, flight nurses and flight paramedics from the base held a hoist training session on the biggest and most technologically advanced rescue helicopter in the fleet: a recently-delivered, brand new Bell 412Epi with registration N28VA. Before jumping in the aircraft, all aircrew members held a ground discussion to go over the systems, specifications, procedures and above all safety in a controlled setting. Later, after the skies the turned overcast, crews got to put their

learning into practice at a remote corner of the airport where multiple slow-speed scene approaches and hoists of “victims”, a.k.a. pilots not flying at the moment, and litters weighted down with bundles of fire house tied to backboards could be made.

Operating as “MedFlight”, this aircraft is configured for the medevac and SAR missions and joins a fleet of high-tech Bell 407s and Eurocopter EC-145s in the medevac role. The left side of the passenger compartment is outfitted with a medical stretcher and gear. Two rear-facing seats occupy the middle space and the right side is the hoist operations and crew maneuvering area. Both sides of the aircraft have sliding doors that fully open to the rear. The hoist can lift up to 600 pounds.

What is interesting about the Aviation Unit is the fact that the crew on EMS/medevac missions is represented by personnel from three separate local agencies. Pilots, who can be either sworn troopers (law enforcement officers) or civilians, are VSP employees. Flight paramedics are members

Article and photos by Rick Charles

of the surrounding Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Department. Flight nurses are employees of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System and can also support other medevac, sometimes also referred to as “Helicopter EMS”, or HEMS, programs in the greater Richmond region. A typical mission will have one or two pilots, a flight paramedic and a flight nurse. This 412 can be flown with only one pilot even though there are two fully-equipped front seats in the cockpit. Metro Richmond offers several hospital choices for patients to be taken including two Level I trauma centers and several Level II trauma centers within a few minutes flight time. (Level I trauma centers offer the highest and most comprehensive specialized care available by a hospital emergency department.) As Captain Shawn Rivard, Aviation Unit commander, explained, MedFlight 1 is a state resource and does not bill patients for its services unlike the private HEMS companies. That gives the Aviation Unit a competitive advantage even though they are not driven by market share and revenue metrics, and which also explains their longevity and success as other commercial programs come and go.

Just prior to the ground school kicking off, a flight request came in: a high-speed motor vehicle crash. “Go time” for the MedFlight 1 duty crew and everyone there scrambled to get a nearby Bell 407GXi, N71VA, out the door, spinning and heading to the scene. The 412 still had all the EMS gear and medications on board from the previous shift which needed to be transferred over to the 407, and the 407 still needed a thorough pre-flight. “Hoist School” students all pitched in at a furious pace.

The Bell 412 is a very powerful and specialized aircraft with airborne rescue capabilities the Commonwealth hasn’t had in emergency and public safety use for many years. The men and women of the three agencies that make up the Aviation Unit are all highly experienced and accomplished in their craft yet carry themselves with the quiet professionalism of a veteran quarterback playing in his fourth Super Bowl. There are lives on the line. No time or room for egos. They are all MVP’s and so are their aircraft.

Virginia State Police Bell 412Epi and ground crew during hoist training, Richmond Executive Airport (KFCI), Chesterfield, Virginia. Nikon D850, Nikkor 70 - 200mm at 110mm, f/11, 1/100, ISO 500, processed in Lightroom.

Rick Charles

Virginia State Police Bell 412Epi lifts off the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center rooftop helipad, Richmond, Virginia. Nikon D850, Nikkor 200 - 500mm at 270mm, f/14, 1/100, ISO 250, processed in Lightroom.

Virginia State Police Bell 407GXi lifts off the VSP Aviation Unit ramp on a medevac mission, Richmond Executive Airport (KFCI), Chesterfield, Virginia. Nikon D850, Nikkor 70 - 200mm at 70mm, f/14, 1/80, ISO 100, processed in Lightroom.

Rick Charles

Rick Charles

Virginia State Police crewmembers discuss hoist system operations at VSP Aviation Unit hangar, Richmond Executive Airport (KFCI), Chesterfield, Virginia. Nikon D850, Tamron 24 - 70mm at 46mm, f/5.6, 1/50, ISO 1000, processed in Lightroom.

Virginia State Police Bell 412Epi and crew during hoist training, Richmond Executive Airport (KFCI), Chesterfield, Virginia. Nikon D850, Nikkor 70 - 200mm at 200mm, f/9, 1/80, ISO 500, processed in Lightroom.

Rick Charles

Virginia State Police Aviation Unit pilots play the role of victim during hoist training, Richmond Executive Airport (KFCI), Chesterfield, Virginia. Nikon D850, Nikkor 70 - 200mm at 140mm, f/9, 1/100, ISO 500, processed in Lightroom.

Rick Charles

For the second year in a row I made it to the Wing over Camarillo show. Last year this was the first airshow I was able to make after the lockdowns and cancellations. The majority of the show was World War II warbirds from Planes of Fame in Chino and the Palm Springs Air Museum. They also sprinkled in some pyrotechnics during the different battle recreations.

This year I rented the Sony A1 to get the better autofocus over my A7Riv, I then paired this with the Sony 200 - 600mm lens. I was really happy with this combination for shooting the planes as they came over the airfield. I could see a difference in the speed of the autofocus vs the A7Riv.

Wings Over Camarillo 2022

Article and photos by Joseph Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins

Joseph Jenkins

Weather always plays a big factor during the weekend of the airshow. This year storms rained out the practice show and some great statics that were going to come in a few days before. Even though one day of the show was cold and overcast you take what you can get. The good news is at Wings Over Houston we always have pyro and plenty of warbirds around the Houston area that can fly to fill in the gaps of time.

WINGS OVER HOUSTON 2022

by Kevin Hong

Article and photos

Kevin Hong

Kevin Hong

Kevin Hong

Kevin Hong

STUART AIRSHOW

Article and photos by Bill LaFlamme

Drug Enforcement Administration & Martin County Sheriff’s Office demonstration.

Bill LaFlamme

AfterShock Jet Truck.

Bill LaFlamme

During the night show, Vertigo Airshows Salto Jet Sailplane performed.

Bill LaFlamme

2 Qyon Aerosports Siai Marchetti S-200 jets.

Bill LaFlamme

Matt Younkin in his Beechcraft 18.

U.S.A.F. Captain Aimee “Rebel” Fiedler in a F-16 Viper.

Bill LaFlamme

U.S.A.F. Major Haden “Gator” Fullam, piloting an A-10 C Thunderbolt II on a strafing run during his Fini Flight.

Bill LaFlamme

Bill LaFlamme

Before

his last demo flight, U.S.A.F. Major Fullam got together with his friends. L to R. U.S.A.F. Captain Aimee “Rebel” Fiedler, F-16 pilot. U.S.A.F. Major Haden “Gator” Fullam, A-10 Thunderbolt II Pilot. World Champion Aerobatic Pilot Rob Holland. U.S.A.F. Major Joshua “Cabo” Gunderson F-22 Pilot, who came to see Gator, and conducted his Fini Flight 2 weeks ago in Las Vegas. Far right is Safety Officer for the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, U.S.A.F. Captain Lindsay “Mad” Johnson.

Bill LaFlamme

Friends & family saying goodbye to U.S.A.F. Major Haden “Gator” Fullam and a wonderful air show season.

Of the regional air shows I’ve attended, I have to say that this year’s California Capital show was right up there. This was pretty much a military show, including everything from WWII warbirds and Korea, to some of the latest military hardware which turned out to be, in my opinion, an exciting event.

We had not one, but two U-2’s and several demo teams flying. The Canadians sent a very nicely painted F-18 and a very talented pilot and ground crew. Of course, the USN and USAF were well represented and we were treated to both an Air Force Heritage Flight and a USN Legacy Flight each day.

The WWII warbirds, including P-51’s, an FG-1D Corsair, two P-38’s, a P-40 and a P-47 were not to be outdone and did some amazing flying, including some “down on the deck” passes over the runway. Something about a radial engine at full throttle and about 30 feet off the ground is just so impressive.

I can’t say enough about the show staff, the ground crew and the Air Boss. They all worked together to put on a well timed and orchestrated show in the air and on the ground. The static displays were well set up and the public was treated to some special opportunities visiting the manned military aircraft with up close and personal access to not only the “heavies”, but some of the fighters as well.

Having access to the ramp at sunrise through the official photo tour made for some outstanding photo ops with the many static aircraft around the tarmac.

I came away with a lot of full CF Express cards, and a big smile from a great weekend. I’m looking forward to next year, but this year will be hard to beat.

california capital

Article and photos by Jeff Krueger

airshow 2022

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

Jeff Krueger

ROB TABOR

To quote Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home”

The California Capital Airshow is one my perennial favorites. Not only because It’s close to home, but it invariably offers a great line up of flying, static displays and is one of the few airshows that has a photo tour that is specifically tailored for aviation photographers.

While this year’s show lacked in the form of the absence of one of the major display teams, it more than made up for in the number individual demo teams. One of the best features of CCA is the Friday afternoon/ evening show which provides some of the best light I’ve ever seen at an airshow. The Friday show is a Drive-in show for the general public, but for those of us on the photo tour, we pretty much had free reign to shoot from wherever we chose, and the best part about that was that there was no one with a cell phone trying to block your shot. By far, the bulk of my

best images were shot during the evening show and I wish that more shows would adopt that format.

Having the opportunity to go airshows and point a camera at airplanes is always one my absolute favorite things and the only thing that makes that experience all the better is getting to do it with great friends. I was very fortunate that two good friends and ISAP members made the trip to Sacramento this year. It’s always good to be able to talk aviation photography with like minded individuals and to get the opportunity to laugh and learn from each other experience.

I would like to add a special thanks to Bruce Boehm, the organizer of the CCA photo tour, and all the volunteers that make the tour the amazing experience that it is. Thanks Guys! Looking forward to next year!

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

Rob Tabor

EDWARDS AFB

Article and photos by Bob Driver

The Air show at Edwards Air Force Base had special meaning in 2022, it was the first air show for Edwards in 13 years and probably more importantly, it was the 75th anniversary of Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier as well as being the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

The USAF Thunderbirds were the headliners along with some notable aircraft not normally seen at an airshow outside of Edwards. Not the most important certainly, but one that drew exceptional attention was the Darkstar vehicle from Top Gun II. The Darkstar full scale movie prop made it’s first appearance (perhaps its only) at an air show after being in storage for the last two years.

Edwards’ STEM exhibition was billed as one of the largest in the nation consuming the entire B/1600 hangar. More than 60 hands-on displays of static aircraft, robotics, model rocketry, flight simulators, virtual reality experiences, and a speakers series featuring a variety of interesting topics.

Notable Display aircraft included, all three variants of the F-35 family, B-1B Lancer, C-177 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Viper, B-52 Stratofortress, Calspan X-62 VISTA, NASA F-15B/D Eagle, NASA F/A-18D Hornet, L-1011 Tristar “Stargazer” and the Stratolaunch Talon A Hypersonic Vehicle.

Aircraft in the air included the USAF Thunderbirds, Wings of Blue, B-1B Lancer, F-22 Raptor, C-17 Globemaster III, F-35A Lighting II, F-16 Viper, T-38 Talon, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-46 Pegasus, Greg Colyer’s T-33 “Acemaker”, NASA DC-8, Vicky Benzing and her 1940 Boeing Stearman, NASA’s F-15-B/D and F/A-18D, John Collver’s Wardog Airshows AT-6 Texan and Bob Carlton’s Vertigo Air Shows Super Salto Jet Sailplane.

The weather was terrific, although a bit warm on both public days. The crowds were not what they were for the shows in previous years, and to my knowledge, complaints about access to the base and the parking accommodations were minimal. All of these things benefit the decision-making process for future airshows at Edwards.

Because of the security concerns, the Edwards Public Affairs Office limited the access to south base to three non-base photographers along with their own base photographers. I was the only photographer who elected to shoot from south base spending both days there confined to their 10’x10’ paved designated area. The following images are selections from that location.

Bob Driver

Bob Driver

Bob Driver

Bob Driver

Bob Driver

Bob Driver

Bob Driver

Bob Driver

San Francisco’s Fleet Week celebrates the rich naval tradition in the Bay Area and honors the nation’s service members. It was started in 1981 by then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein and has grown to become the largest and most significant event of its kind in the nation. The celebrations include a parade of ships which enter the Bay by sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and concludes with the Air Show on the weekend. Friday is technically a rehearsal day, but since Karl the Fog is always a threat, locals know to take advantage of any opportunity to see the show. This year showed just how important that is. While Friday’s weather featured fog coming and going, most of the scheduled participants were able to perform. Karl rolled in with a vengeance Saturday with a low ceiling of 150’ and although one could hear the aircraft flying above the marine layer, there was very little to see. Sunday’s airshow was canceled outright. If at all possible go early and go often!

Article and photos by Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

Norman Graf

ISAP MEMBER’S SHOWCASE

A few days before the Aerospace Valley Air Show and STEM Exhibition took place, I had the opportunity to join the Skunk Works photo team in photographing the Darkstar aircraft along with my grandson Bryce. The entire team photoshoot lasted about twelve hours challenged with a substantial shot list because we weren’t sure we’d ever get another chance to shoot it again. This image with Bryce was taken just after sunset, he’s nine and had school the next day. The suit was provided by a local movie prop house and was fitted to two other child models in multiple scenarios. There’s a portable light tower illuminating the aircraft along with a smaller LED light panel providing a red cast for effect, both located camera left. Light on the model was provided by a mobile and tall (Garry Tice) working the overhead soft-box overhead

Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S ISO: 2000 Shutter speed: 1/125 Exposure: f/8 Processed in Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop 2023 CC

Article and photo by Bob Driver

ISAP MEMBER’S SHOWCASE

Ed “Hamster” Hamill returns to the skies with the Folds of Honor Biplane. Learn more about Ed Hamill’s partnership with Folds of Honor and his return to flying airshows in 2023. Visit his page at www.edhamill.com

Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: FTZ adapter Sigma 60 - 60mm ISO: 64 Shutter speed: 1/160 Exposure: f/9 Processed RAW format, Adobe Camera RAW, Photoshop CS, Topaz Photo AI

Article and photo by Larry Grace / ISAP President

ISAP MEMBER’S SHOWCASE

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron VMFAT-501, known as the “Warlords at NAS JRB New Orleans.

Camera: Canon R5 Lens: Canon RF 100 - 500mm ISO: 640 Shutter speed: 1/1000 Exposure: f/14 Processed in Adobe Photoshop

Article and photo by Timothy Smith

With the day off in Columbus, Ohio and access to a rental car, I was off to the National Museum of the US Air Force for the afternoon. Captured here is the nose art of the B-17F Memphis Belle , One of the first bombers the complete 25 combat missions. Both crew and airplane were sent stateside to sell war bonds after their tour ended. It’s been on display at the museum since 2018.

Camera: Nikon Z62 Lens: Nikkor 28 - 300mm ISO: 3600 Shutter speed: 1/100 Exposure: f/8

Processed in Adobe Photoshop Camera RAW and Photoshop 2022

ISAP MEMBER’S SHOWCASE

Article and photo by Scott Slingsby

ISAP MEMBER’S SHOWCASE

Article and photo by Kevin Hong

Sometimes you try to predict or envision a photo and hope you capture the shot you imagine. In this case I was able to get it right. I was watching the top of the bleachers at the Reno Air Races and tried to get a dynamic photo of the F-18 Super Hornet as it took off. After watching the Super Hornet demo for a couple of days I tried to catch a different photo than just the usual takeoff. It was hard to figure out where the Hornet would climb start the demo. This was the end result. Sometimes you just get lucky.

Camera: Canon R3 Lens: Canon RF 100 - 500mm F4.5 - 7.1 L IS USM ISO: 100 Shutter speed: 1/320 Exposure: f/10 Processed in Adobe Photoshop Camera RAW and Photoshop 2022

ISAP MEMBER’S SHOWCASE

Article and photo by Larry Grace / ISAP President

One of the most extreme beaches in the world. Maho Beach in St. Maarten, Caribbean. There are only a handful of places in the world where you can get up close and personal with active airplanes. And there’s no airport quite like the one on Maho Beach located on the island of St. Maarten and its unbelievable Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM).

It’s such an incredible Low Landing Beach Airport that I overheard people around me asking, “Is this real?!?!”

If you love commercial aviation action, this needs to be on your bucket list!

Camera: Nikon Z9 Lens: Nikon 24 - 120mm ISO: 100 Shutter speed: 1/1600 Exposure: f/4 Processed RAW format, Adobe Camera RAW, Photoshop CS, Topaz Photo AI

The city of Louisville is world-famous as the home of the Kentucky Derby. Less well known is the fact that “the most exciting two minutes in sports” is preceded by two weeks of events and celebrations and that this Kentucky Derby Festival kicks off with the Thunder Over Louisville airshow and fireworks display. The fireworks were introduced in 1990 and were so successful that the airshow was added two years later. Wayne Hettinger, the producer of Thunder Over Louisville since its inception, explained “What are we going to do with people who show up early to get their spot to watch the fireworks? We thought it was a good idea to entertain them before they get bored and trouble starts or mischief starts.” What began as an afterthought has since expanded into one of the premier airshows in the United States.

In 1997 Thunder Over Louisville was officially designated by the Air Force as one of two main events celebrating its 50th anniversary celebration. That year’s show attracted over 100 aircraft and an estimated 800,000 viewers, establishing its reputation as one of the largest airshows in the United States. This year’s event, titled “The Legend Returns,” celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Air Force. The lineup included warbirds from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as front-line fighters, bombers, cargo and tanker aircraft. The Army, Navy, Marines and, of course, the Air Force were all in attendance. The airshow box was centered on the Ohio River near downtown Louisville, with aircraft approaching from the east and exiting downriver to the west. More than

40 aircraft filled the skies from three o’clock in the afternoon until after sunset. Most of the aircraft for this year’s airshow operated from the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, where the 123rd Airlift Wing provided maintenance and logistical support. For the first time in more than 20 years, the base was open to the public on Sunday, giving fans an opportunity to get an up-close look at many of the aircraft from the air show, as well as meet some of the aircrew who fly and maintain them.

U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin was the guest of honor at this year’s show. “This is a remarkable example of teamwork from our Total Force of Active Duty, Air National Guard and Reserve personnel working with civilians and this community. The community relationship is strong, the partnership is strong, and this is just a fantastic display of what America is all about,” said Allvin, continuing on to say “This is my first Thunder and I’m certainly hoping it will not be the last.”

The airshow had been canceled in 2020 and reduced in scope last year due to the pandemic, so record crowds were expected at this year’s event. Although official attendance figures were not released, the expanded lineup and the near-record temperatures and blue skies attracted many hundreds of thousands of spectators to both sides of the Ohio River.

B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil” Commemorative Air Force, Ft. Worth, Texas

THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE

Article and photos by Norman Graf

B-25 Mitchell “Show Me” Commemorative Air Force, Missouri Wing.

EA-18G Growler Demonstration Team, Electronic Attack Squadron 129, NAS Whidbey Island.

F-15E Strike Eagle x4, 4th Fighter Squadron, Seymour-Johnson AFB.

F-16C Viper x2, 176th Fighter Squadron, WI ANG.

U.S. Navy Legacy Flight: E/A-18G x2, T-2 Buckeye.

Greg “Wired” Colyer / Acemaker Airshows, T-33 Shooting Star Aerobatics.

MH-53 Sea Dragon, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, NS Norfolk.

WINGS OVER DALLAS 2022

David Walsh

Article and photos by David Walsh

Craig Hutain Montgomery, Texas AT-6B Texan/Harvard

Shutter Speed: 1/320 at f/13 ISO 100 – Nikon Z9 - Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

Aaron L. Taylor

David Walsh

Trojan Phlyers North American T-28 Trojan Chip Lamb-027 and Robert Johnson-026 Shutter Speed: 1/250 at f/18 ISO 200 - Nikon Z9 - Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

Lady, Centex Wing,

Marcos,

C-47‘s

in

-

Shutter Speed: 1/320 at f/13 ISO 100 – Nikon Z9 - Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

Cargo Aircraft

Formation

1944 Douglass DC3C-31C3G – Vintage Wings – Centerpoint, In. and 1944 Douglas C-47 Skytrain, That’s All Brother, Centex Wing, San Marcos, Texas

David Walsh

1946 Bell P-63 Kingcobra on

with

Montgomery, Texas Shutter Speed: 1/400 at f/9.0 ISO 64 - Nikon Z7ii - Nikkor Z 24 - 70mm f/2.8

Takeoff

Craig Hutain,

David Walsh

B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil from the B-29/B-24 Squadron Dallas, Texas

Shutter Speed: 1/400 at f/11 ISO 100 – Nikon Z9 - Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

David Walsh

f/11 ISO 100 - Nikon Z9 - Nikkor Z 100 - 400mm

Texas Raider B-17 Gulf Coast Wing Conroe, Texas on Takeoff Shutter Speed: 1/325 at

David Walsh

Texas Raider and Tora

Tora Wall of Fire Shutter Speed: 1/320 at f/9.0 ISO 64 – Nikon Z7ii - Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8

Tora

David Walsh

MEET OUR MEMBERS

Aviation Photography©

Bruce Fortelka

Inspiring young minds at an early age is key to passing on our great legacy in aviation and technology. Jeff Deckman was like most people within the aviation community being exposed to aircraft like the P-38 Lightning and other incredible aircraft early in life led to a career in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. Working with aircraft such as the SR-71 quickly led into a passion for all things photography. Jeff Deckman currently is photographer and administrator for Radar Contact Media which covers all things aviation throughout the airshow calendar and beyond. Jeff believes it is an obligation to give back and inspire the next generation of young minds through the lens of photography.

Jeff Deckman

Jeff Deckman

JOHN MALINOWSKI

I am an advanced amateur photographer born in Pittsburgh and currently living in Jacksonville, Florida. I am a professional architect registered in 12 states and working as a Project Architect with an International Design Build firm in Jacksonville. My architectural projects are mainly military, located throughout the United States. Although my profession for the past 40 years is Architecture, I began my career with 12 years in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller.

My interest in photography began in 1967 when I purchased my first camera, an Ashai Spotmatic while I was in SE Asia. After returning home I maintained my love for photography, and my first “Dark Room” was an old coal storage room in a home that we purchased in Pittsburgh. It took a month or so of cleaning and renovation work to turn that dirty

and dusty room into a fully workable dark room. I considered turning to a professional career in photography, starting with weddings and portraits in my spare time, but soon found that my Architectural career was crowding out my passion for photography, which slowly diminished while my architectural commitment grew. I lost that photographic art and passion for the next 40 years.

In 2000 I was discharged from the Florida Air National Guard where I served four years as a combat engineer in the Red Horse Squadron; my architectural practice was growing and doing well and digital photography was now taking over the photography industry like a mighty storm. With the advent of great digital cameras, I drew back on old longings for photography and purchased my first digital camera, the Nikon D1 digital DSLR with a 70 - 300mm f/4-5.6 lens. With a new camera and Photoshop on my desktop computer my photographic interest was once again growing and filling my spare time. During those early years I was an avid kayaker in Florida so my photography naturally gravitated to the rivers, swamps and gators of the wild Florida and Georgia swamps and rivers.

I’ll never know exactly why and to the dismay of my son, a professional photographer, I switched from Nikon to Canon cameras and lens. As my skills and inventory of glass and accessories increased old Air Force memories started to surface; vivid memories of years in the control tower, fighters and prop aircraft, flight and the sight and sound of takeoffs and afterburners. I wanted to try my skill at photographing these memories and, with the number of Military Installations and air shows in Florida, this seemed like the perfect place to start. I was determined to capture the excitement and thrill of an airshow with my first attempt at NAS Jacksonville and the Navy’s Blue Angels. I thought that there was nothing like the thrill of shooting a bluegrass concert or a 12 foot, 500 pound alligator in the Okeefenokee Swamp but an airshow is different, it’s a tremendous rush and there is nothing like it.

My current cameras are the Canon 5D mark IV and Canon 6D. I have a full compliment of glass but my primary lens at air shows is the Canon 100 - 400mm 1:4.5-5.6 IS II with a 1.4 converter. I shoot in RAW/JPEG

to get the best quality and to capture the sensor’s available information. My post processing is with Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Bridge.

As my son was growing, I taught him the few photographic skills that I had. He took this knowledge and turned it into his full time professional career. I enjoy meeting and talking with other about photography, aircraft and other outdoor activities and I find it rewarding to share my knowledge with others in pursuit of their photographic interests and abilities. My advice to others that are looking towards aviation photography is to spend a weekend at a local airshow, have fun, and practice, practice, practice.

John Malinowski

I am a retired accountant living in the Low Country of South Carolina. Would consider myself a passionate amateur aviation photographer who also loves landscape and Astro photography as well. Nothing formal for photographic training but have done many photography workshops over the past ten years.

My desire to photograph aviation grew from my first up close airshow experience with a Sony super zoom camera where I got some not too bad images.

This got me interested in what I could do with one of those big lens DSLR’s that I saw around me in the crowd.

I went with a Nikon D90 at that point and quickly decide I needed a faster frame rate, so I got a very used D3 that led to a D4, then to a D5 with an

assortment of long lenses (80 - 400mm and 200 - 500mm). I am now moving to mirrorless with a Z9 and the 100 - 400mm zoom with a Z7 and 24 - 120mm for flight line and static displays and as my backup camera. Shooting RAW for the post processing flexibility with Lightroom as my main program but have recently added the Topaz products to my workflow with some amazing results (to me at least).

I just joined (August 2022) ISAP to become a part of this community wanting to learn and grow as an aviation photographer. I learned about ISAP after seeing Larry Grace on Scott Kelby’s The Grid show which got me to looking at and joining.

The tips I would share for airshows are to be prepared for a long day in the sun; sunscreen, long sleeves, and a floppy hat work for me. And if you can go to both days (or more) do so, review the first day’s images and you can be learn and improve for the next day. Last tip, low shutter speed prop plane panning shots are hard, don’t expect a lot of keepers, but keep shooting and you’ll surprise yourself occasionally.

Bruce Fortelka

Bruce Fortelka

Bruce Fortelka

Bruce Fortelka

Bruce Fortelka

Bruce Fortelka

Bruce Fortelka

Bruce Fortelka

My name is Toni LaSalle and I am located in Hanford, California. I have been a professional photographer for over a decade. With the support and encouragement of my husband and children, I decided to turn my photography hobby into a business. Many of my friends are Navy pilot spouses and I first began shooting for their families and then their events.

I do not consider myself just an aviation photographer. I describe myself a family and event photographer that takes pictures of my client’s aircraft. Whether it be a jet or private plane, my clients are always my subject not the aircraft. That being said, most of my clients are pilots and while in the aircraft, the aircraft becomes my subject. After a decade of photographing Navy pilots and their families, I have become an aviation photographer too! I have also learned some colorful call signs, acronyms, and the time frame of ‘soon’ which is after now but before later!

I have a BA degree in journalism and public relations and a strong background in desktop publishing. I definitely shoot like a journalist. I enjoy telling stories through my pictures and I enjoy capturing raw emotional moments. While my technical camera skills are self-taught, I was already

proficient in most of Adobe Creative Suite before I studied photography. I have been editing pictures, creating advertisements, and newsletters for twenty years. While the editing came easy for me, the camera and lighting skills took years to develop.

While it may appear simple to build a portfolio, learning camera, light, and people skills under session time restraint took me about two years before I opened my business. It took me another five years to fully develop my style and feel comfortable shooting ‘no do-over days’ like last flights, flyovers, and retirements. There is a lot of pressure to catch 20 seconds someone has worked 20 years to achieve. Over a decade later, I have shot for many of the Senior Officers in Navy. My work can even be found in private collections, Ready Rooms on the carriers, and Navy publications.

I use a Nikon D850 with battery grip and D750 mostly with a 24 - 70mm f/2.8 and a 70 - 300mm f/4.5. I switch the lenses depending on the need. However, once the lens is on it stays until I am back at my office. Hangers and flight lines are dirty and I never change lenses once I am on a shoot. I’ve lost a base that way. I also carry a back-up hobbyist Nikon D7200 with a 55 - 300mm f/4.5 for when the lighting in the hanger is extremely dark and awful. That hobbyist base can basically see in the dark and is foolproof. Unfortunately, it is not full frame. For lighting, I use a Nikon Speedlight SB-700 and a Godox V860 II. When I need a little light on a subject, I will also use an Ice Light.

I shoot in both RAW and JPEG. It depends on purpose of the picture and the client. I use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit pictures.

I joined ISAP recently because I wanted to learn from other aviation photographers. What I do is unique among the professional photographer community. I am also a member of PPA, Professional Photographers of America.

Yes, I do help anyone who asks me to learn photography. I am happy to help! Many hobbyist and professionals have questions from how to edit to what lens to use for fly overs and even how to handle the crowds. Experience and a lot of failure over the years has helped me learn to anticipate the situation enough to get the shot. I truly enjoy helping people grow a passion for photography. The best tips I can give a rookie to aviation is to shoot with two bases and buy VR lenses. One base for when the jet or aircraft is in the sky (70 - 300mm or 55 - 300mm). I like single point focus by hand. It gives me more control. I carry another base with a flexible lens like the 24 - 70mm that can shoot wide if needed but allows me to get unique close ups. I carry one camera on my wrist and one around my neck because sometimes I have to run and get into unique positions to get the shot.

I’m always asked about bases. I strongly recommend starting with a high-end hobbyist base. Not a professional. It takes years to master a

professional full frame base. A high-end hobbyist base with an excellent lens will get the job done beautifully. Bases should be mastered and outgrown. When your base no longer does what you want it to do, it is time to upgrade. Plus, hobbyist lenses are cheaper! I also rent lenses before I buy them. I have to love the lens to own them. I am huge fan of prime lenses for stationary aircraft. I also bracket because I like the flexibility in editing. And, if all else fails, shoot the aircraft in shade or about 30 minutes until sunset. It’s the best light and I love dark and moody pictures.

As for editing, I always recommend that the photographer learns to edit and does not buy presets. Presets and outsourcing editing services may look appealing to a hobbyist but not knowing how to edit is like drawing a picture and having someone else paint it. Good chance it will not look like what you intended it to look. When I take a picture, I already know how I want to edit it. For example, if I shoot dark with strong highlights or a silhouette, I’m likely going to turn it into a black and white. I also always know where the sun is when I’m shooting so I can build off the flare and haze. Seasoned pros know the shot they want and what they’re going to do with it before they even lift their camera. The only way to get to that level of expertise is to shoot and fail, a lot! What works for some photographers will not work for others. Everyone has their own style and that is why photography is wonderful!

Toni LaSalle

POWAY, CA, MARCH 30, 2021 – Delkin Devices, a manufacturer of flash storage solutions and camera accessories, announced today the newest addition to their top-selling line of

Specially designed to meet the ever-growing

Other competing CFexpress™ Type B cards may state a maximum write speed, but BLACK takes things further with sustained sequential write speeds of at least 1400 MB/s (higher depending on capacity). This sustained speed versus potential write speeds is what guarantees flawless cinema-quality video capture, including DCI 8K RAW 12-Bit @ 30fps (2600 Mbps) in the Canon R5. This is especially valuable during events like weddings, sport meets, concerts and other situations you cannot redo. The cards are also capable of offloading data at speeds reaching up to 1730 MB/s, ensuring the quickest, most efficient data transfer from card to computer for immediate file access and sooner post-production.

“With more camera manufacturers deciding to integrate support for CFexpress™ Type B memory cards into their new camera models, we felt the need to provide camera owners with a card that they could trust to protect and preserve their precious memories” says Jenn Sherry, Delkin's Retail Sales & Marketing Manager, “As cameras continue to advance and new data-heavy modes are introduced, it has become even more important for storage mediums to be able to keep up. We believe that BLACK CFexpress™ is the solution for complete video capture, just as the creator envisioned.”

Each BLACK CFexpress™ Type B memory card has undergone extensive testing to ensure full functionality and performance in today’s high-end cinematic hosts, including ones from Canon® (C300 Mark III, C500 Mark II, 1D X Mark III & R5) and Nikon® (D6, Z6 II & Z7 II). Select hosts originally designed with native support for XQD cards can also accept CFexpress™ Type B cards via firmware upgrade.

In addition to their “Lifetime Warranty” policy, Delkin continues to offer a unique built-in insurance policy for their BLACK memory cards, known as the “48 Hour Replacement Guarantee”. Delkin will replace any non-working BLACK card within 48 hours or less (not including weekends - in the US and UK), prior to receiving the non-working card. Cards can also be replaced over-the-counter at any authorized Delkin BLACK reseller. Additional information on Delkin BLACK can be found here: www.delkindevices.com/delkin-black/.

ABOUT DELKIN DEVICES, INC.

Delkin Devices’ consumer group manufactures storage devices and digital accessories for the photography market. Delkin has been in business since 1986 and has offices in both the US and UK. If you would like more information regarding this product or any other Delkin product, please contact Jenn Sherry at jsherry@delkin.com.

memory cards: BLACK CFexpress™ Type B memory cards.

demands of today’s broadcast, cinema and photography industries, Delkin’s BLACK CFexpress™ cards leverage today’s latest technology in order to provide the fastest speeds on the market.

AIRPLANE SILHOUETTES

by John Ford

Identify these aircraft. The answers are found next to the Kenyon Gyro Ad.

GHOSTS CALENDAR 2023 REVIEW

World renowned aviation photographer and ISAP member Philip Makanna continues to capture photos of the most beautiful warbirds from World War I and World War II taken around the world. Printed on thick, glossy paper, these full-sized calendars are renowned for both their premium quality and, of course, for their magnificent images. In fact they are so good that, unlike with most calendars, people tend to save them beyond their intended period of use – and whom among us hasn’t clipped a favorite image from the binding to frame or pin up somewhere we enjoy spending time (I know I have!). With a keen sense for lighting and composition, Makanna’s images also have a timeless quality to them which captures the spirit of both the machine and the era from which they came.

GHOSTS, A TIME REMEMBERED – The Ultimate WWII Aviation Calendar

12 magnificent air-to-air color photographs of the combat aircraft World War II

Each month is suitable for framing plus our unique chronological history of the aviation events of the war

Plus specifications and silhouettes

Each page 20” x 14” – Opens to 20” x 28”

Aircraft Included:

Vought (Goodyear) FG-1D “Corsair”

Lavochkin La-9

Lockheed P-38 “Lightning”

Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 “Canary”

Douglas AD-4 “Skyraider”

Ryan PT-22 “Recruit” (3)

Supermarine “Spitfire” Mk. Ia

North American P-51C “Mustang”

Hawker “Hurricane” Mk. XII

Republic P-47D “Thunderbolt”

Avro “Lancaster” Mk. X

Curtiss P-40 “Kittyhawk” (2)

GHOSTS, THE GREAT WAR 2023 – The Ultimate WWI Aviation Calendar

12 magnificent air-to-air color photographs of the combat aircraft of World War I

Each month is suitable for framing plus our unique chronological history of the aviation events of WWI

Plus specifications and silhouettes

Each page 20” x 14” – Opens to 20” x 28”

Aircraft Included:

Sopwith Pup

Curtiss JN-4H “Jenny”

Albatros D.II

Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b

Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8, BE.2f, BE.2c

Caudron G.III

Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c

Sopwith PUP

Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a

Fokker D.VII, Dr.I, Pfalz D.III

Albatros D.Va

Royal Aircraft Factory BE.12

KelbyOne is an online education community for creative people to help them create the type of images they’ve always wanted.

We are driven by a passion to provide incredible training, with over 800 courses. Our HD-quality lessons, are available to stream 24/7 and taught by world-class industry instructors. Online Access also includes digital editions of Photoshop User magazine and Lightroom Magazine, guided learning tracks, a community forum, brushes, presets and so much more.

The Professionals Source

Professionals in the world of imaging rely on the professionals of B&H for their equipment needs. We have experts ready to give courteous service with a phone call, a click of the mouse or a personal visit.

Our SuperStore

We pay tribute to the wealth of possibilities available for photography, videography and other media industries. We make the wonders of technology available through our complete lines of photo, video, audio, lighting, pro accessories, computers, data storage, optics, entertainment, projection and surveillance devices, to which we add a wonderful, personal experience for professionals, hobbyists and consumers alike.

History

We opened our original storefront in 1973. Our reputation for extensive inventory and intelligent conversation about photography began with our first customer. We grew from a small photography shop in Manhattan’s Financial District to a major supplier of photo, video and audio equipment on 17th Street, with customers returning again and again for our low pricing and high reliability. The new millennium’s explosion of affordable technology for pros and consumers alike brought new lines of computers, home entertainment, and

at our location or online at www.bhphotovideo.com We continue to expand to meet

educational and social media, and more.

ISAP Board Members

President and Board Chairman

Larry Grace

Vice President and Vice Chairman Jim Wilson

Treasurer Gary Edwards

ISAP Board Member George Kounis

ISAP Board Member Kevin Hong

ISAP Staff Member John Sepp

Chairman Emeritus Jay Miller

Airspeed Editor Kevin Hong

Airspeed is a periodic publication of the International Society for Aviation Photography (ISAP) and is used to communicate news, functions, convention information, and other information of interest on the local, regional, and national scenes. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and should not be construed as the views or opinions of the International Society for Aviation Photography (ISAP). Please contact us at info@aviationphoto.org

Airspeed is a publication to showcase our members’ work in capturing aviation events.

Images should be sized at a minimum size of at least 5100 x 3300 (17” x 11”) @ 300 dpi. We would like your largest landscape file size format for our full page spread in our featured magazine. Please submit up to 10 images per article and your text in a Microsoft Word document. Email your article and images by using www.wetransfer.com and send to info@aviationphoto.org (Up to 2GB).

Members can submit images for review for a future cover or back page display or would like to inquire on doing an article for Airspeed contact us via email at info@aviationphoto.org

We look forward to your submission and to showcase your articles and images.