Hello everybody! sorry for my absence on keypub recently, been rather preoccupied with bits and bobs!
anyway, i have moved to my new home in Alexandria, VA, and Francia (my landlord) took me in a bikeride to get to know the area better. we went into washington DC and around to Georgetown, and i discovered some really nice places! not least, KDCA Ronald Reagan National Airport. i pass this airport on the metro everyday when going to work, and had looked at going there for some photography.
looking all over the net about spots at KDCA, i heard about this “gravelly point”, which apparently offers beautiful views of approach and down the runway. i thought: “oh, its a nice spot, that means it will take an age to get there, and i’ll probably get moved on”. how wrong i was!
Gravelly Point actually is a public park, with people sunbathing, playing football, catch, and watching aircraft! it has a fully fledged cyclepath through it and even has toilet facilities! there were also a lot of people about, which means getting moved on was very unlikely. anyway, here are a few of my best from today. the great thing is, its only a 5 minute bikeride from where i live!
KDCA has an infamous approach system, which involves flying down the Patomac river over washington and then making a hard right turn to line up on runway 19. it made for some very dramatic missed approaches!
comments very much appreciated! cheers
Sam
resulted in a missed approach:
random:
more to come!
Sam
By: PMN - 16th July 2007 at 18:44
Glad you made it over there OK, Sam! It certainly makes a change to see 737’s from airlines like Delta and US on this forum (and a very welcome change at that!) Some excellent shots in there from what looks to be an interesting airport. A 5 minute ride from where you’re living? I think you’ve probably made a good number of forums members on here rather envious… Including me!
I’m looking forward to seeing more!
Paul
By: Mark L - 15th July 2007 at 21:59
Great stuff! I’m rather annoyed that I missed this spot on my last visit to Washington. However I nearly always have the option of building in a free layover to DCA on my way home from Florida, so might try and find this for a day when I’m next passing through that way in a few months time!
By: DJ17 - 15th July 2007 at 18:14
Some great shots there, been to Gravelly Point Park around a dozen times myself, I’ll post some pics up later.
By: bmi-star - 15th July 2007 at 18:09
Super! Thanks for that. Now I know where i’ll be spending my evenings in DC 🙂
By: Sam_Mc - 15th July 2007 at 17:48
it’s relatively easy to get there by PT, basically you get to the airport either by bus or metro (metro is easiest) and then its a 10 minute walk from the terminal. outside the terminal (im not exactly sure where) you can join on to the cycle path and walk that, which will take you right to the spot.
hope i helped (a little). im thinking of going back today, as the weather is nicer! hmmmmm…..temptation may be problematic in the future!
By: bmi-star - 15th July 2007 at 16:22
Superb shots there!
I’m spending a few days in Washington on my 3 week trek in the States, and after seeing those, how easy by public transport is it to get to that spot mate?
Cheers
By: LBARULES - 15th July 2007 at 15:44
Excellent shots, Sam!
Just be careful, your not allowed to post thread’s of a decent size on here anymore…. :rolleyes:
By: Si Jones - 15th July 2007 at 12:54
Sam,
Great shots, I am out in DC next Thursday, transiting through to Norfolk for a weeks worth of US naval Aviation (just love my job). Back in DC on the evening of the 25th to fly the next day at 2200 on the BA to LHR. You have now convinced me to spend the day at that park.
All the best
Si
By: gatwickjosh - 15th July 2007 at 12:04
Great shots Sam.
So youve moved to Washington area. Hope you have a great time there…..
…And you find time to take many piccys for us here:)
Josh:dev2:
By: adamdowley - 15th July 2007 at 11:57
Wooo! Nice to have something from a different airport for a change! Really cool shots Sam! I can’t wait for you to give me and Kenny the guided tour! 🙂
By: Ren Frew - 15th July 2007 at 11:34
That’s a great spot you found there Sam, I’m particularly enjoying the Delta-Song 757 and the US A319 with the splattered nose ! 😀
By: RingwaySam - 15th July 2007 at 10:01
Great shots! Looks like a fun airport.
What airline is this?
tenthije, looks like Alaska’s 737 special colours.
By: tenthije - 15th July 2007 at 09:24
Very cool shots! Think I may have just decided where to go on holiday next year (or the year thereafter, pending finance). Will probably go and combine DCA, IAD and the Smithsonian. Along with the usual tourist traps obviously.
What airline is this?
By: Sam_Mc - 15th July 2007 at 04:26
more!
thanks for looking!
Sam
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July 15, 2007 at 4:07 am