An Afternoon at The Airport

A specific aircraft filed a flight plan into DTW this afternoon. I sneaked out of work early to catch a glimpse. One of two, Northwest Airlines 747-200, only used for private charters, and the only one in new colors.


They turned him on a departure heading away from me, and being empty, he was about 1000 feet higher then the other 74's leaving that afternoon, making me try to stretch my 400mm out just a little bit farther... no luck, it's a pretty solid lens...

Fabulous quartet of shots...

Really digging the Piaggio.

Great shots. I don't recall ever seeing one of the NWA 747-200s.

Wick Rd between Vining and Wickham is a great spot. My daughter loves to watch the planes from there. Where did you shoot from at DTW?

Nice shots

And you didn't have Homeland Security surround you with guns drawn?

DHancock wrote in post #6150602
And you didn't have Homeland Security surround you with guns drawn?

Thats only if you park along the south I-94 service drive. Man, the planes are super low right there...they busted me the last time I stopped.

Nice shots!

mlav wrote in post #6150453
Where did you shoot from at DTW?

Depending on light and where approach puts the aircraft I want to shoot at, I'm all over that place. The turnoff to nowhere on Wick Rd, the hotels on Wick Rd, the McDonalds and abandoned Clark gas station on Middlebelt. The Mac Deck, the Big Blue Deck, Oakwood Dr off of Eureka, west of 275, this spot has a ton of industrial buildings with nice big parking lots, great for arrivals when they are on the 4's... and thats about it...

mlav wrote in post #6151590
Thats only if you park along the south I-94 service drive. Man, the planes are super low right there...they busted me the last time I stopped.

I work off of the Will Rogers Airport in OKC. They don't allow anyone stopping and watching the planes anywhere along the perimeter. And they really don't like photographers.