So it were the -500’s that were stored in Chateauroux?

Yep, but one was used sometimes for training pilots from EK and SQ.

Yes indeed, cheers to Mr. Rutan for this historic occasion.

Wow, a mistake no pilot wants to make.

In regards to how this happened, I read that the pilot was given permission for a visual approach (some sketchy info at this point); hence, the assumption that AFB’s runway was the one he was supposed to be landing on. But it does not make sense with the cloud layers and all. Sorry, I not an expert in this realm. Maybe some of the pilots can give their expertise.

AirTran is a fairly new LCC. Now that they’ve finished replacing all their old DC-9’s with brand spanking new 717’s they’ve placed an order for 737’s.

The greatest thing about the 737 order is that the first aircraft is doing proving/training runs to TPA. Just saw it the other day. It is not to often that anything new and exciting comes to TPA.

Thank you for the reply WD. It is hard for me to really make good commentary on this subject because I am certainly limited in knowledge of the industry and of the economy. It is good to have people with knowledge in the industry. The evolution of this industry in the past 50 years has interested me for a long time. I think what I was thinking of was reminiscent of the times of great expansion of air travel. Obviously, at that time there was room to grow and much more demand than actuall ability to provide services for. In recent times, low cost airlines have opened up a new market of even cheaper fares, and based on my thinking, and expectation to get low fares and great service, etc. And now the new problem is trying to balance all of this. I think people are now very lucky to have low fares and I hope that the airlines can figure out a way to be stable, profitable, and inovating. Yes, a very hard thing to do. My first post was more from a consumer viewpoint and I should have given more thought. It is certainly a hard industry to disect. Sorry for ranting…

Here is a map and some crude renditions of the flightpaths in my area:

TPA (yellow)- Usually, arrivals come from the north, over the bay (Tampa Bay), and then bank 180 degrees (approx.) to come in right over the water onto the western runway. Departures head north, for the most part, to avoid main populations. If not, they head south and go directly over the bay.
I just showed the areas where you mainly find those aircraft.

*Note*- On St. Petersburg International’s website you can find a live flight tracker that shows all traffic that can be seen in an 80 mi. radius.
http://www.fly2pie.com

PIE (black)- again, most arrivals come from the north, but avoid the bay b/c of TPA’s traffic, and luckily head over my house and the local soccer fields that are just east of me. Departures head north over the bay unless they are GA aircraft. Speaking of, GA and coast guard aircraft some times arrive going in east, as shown.

Over head flights (pink)- some flights to MIA and Fort Meyers cruise over at about 20,000-25,000 ft.

Finally, Macdill AFB (blue)- mainly the arrivals and departures are not standard like civil, so I can only the final approach paths for the two runways there.

Enjoy!!

Ren, if you dont mind me asking; What equipment do you use?

Fantastic pics, I love the green country side.

Sorry about that, I wasnt being to clear. Anyway, I guess that the U.K. and U.S. situation adds a new variable but its just another thing you have to consider.