Showing posts with label aviation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aviation. Show all posts

Experimental aircraft crash lands on road in Bothell

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Photo courtesy Snohomish Regional Fire
According to Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue and the Snohomish County Sheriff's office, a private, experimental aircraft made an emergency crash landing on 228th St SE in the 4200 block near Canyon Park around 10:20pm Tuesday July 19, 2022.

Photo courtesy Snohomish Regional Fire
There were two occupants and a dog on board. Both occupants have minor injuries and were treated and transported, along with the dog. Emergency crews are on scene.

Their destination was Paine Field. 

They had complete engine failure. They struck high tension power lines on the way down. No one on the ground was hurt.

The 4200 block of 228th Street SE is closed and will remain closed into the morning hours. Sheriff's office is in charge of the scene.

The FAA will be responding to the scene to investigate in the morning.



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Scene over the Sound: Jets in formation

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Photo by Jan Hansen

Story and photo by Jan Hansen

This early afternoon, June 25, 2022 a group of jets flew down the Sound like Blue Angels. They flew high, but were very impressive. There was a formation of four with a fifth flying above them. I was quite certain that they were from the base on Whidbey Island.

My neighbor helped me by sharing that NAS Whidbey has electronic warfare squadrons that fly the EA-18Gs variant of the FA -18 airframe; it is probably a group of them that flew by.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae, and like the Coast Guard, Semper Paratus!



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Superfortress will fly over again Monday morning after 11am

Monday, May 23, 2022

Watch for Doc Monday
Photo by Jan Hansen
"Doc" is a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. It is one of two that are currently flying in the world, the other B-29 being "FIFI." 

It is owned by Doc's Friends, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Wichita, Kansas, United States.

Doc attends various air shows and offers rides when one pays for the ticket.

Doc is scheduled to fly again Monday at about 11am from Boeing field; then will leave our area.

--Jan Hansen



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Scene over the Sound: Armed Forces Day flyover

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Photo by Jan Hansen

It is Armed Forces Day, and this morning there was a flyover. I think it is B-29 Superfortress bomber. 
 
From Wikipedia: The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is an American four-engined propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing and flown primarily by the United States during World War II, and the Korean War. Named in allusion to its predecessor, the B-17 Flying Fortress, the Superfortress was designed for high-altitude strategic bombing, but also excelled in low-altitude night incendiary bombing, and in dropping naval mines to blockade Japan. B-29s dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and became the only aircraft that has ever used nuclear weapons in combat.
--Jan Hansen



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Comment on the Paine Field Master Plan

Friday, January 21, 2022


Don't miss your chance to share your thoughts on the Paine Field Master Plan.

To submit your comments online visit the reopened comment form

Use the tabs at the top of the page to see information from the Open House, project details, what they've done, what's ahead.

Comments will be accepted through Monday, January 31, 2022 at 2:00 PST



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King County Air Support getting ready for winter search and rescue work

Friday, October 22, 2021


The King County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit (ASU) is a critical resource supporting both search and rescue efforts and public safety agencies throughout our region. ASU is comprised of four commissioned pilots and five helicopters based at the Renton Municipal Airport.


These photos capture their recent training exercise near the Bandera Airport. With the assistance of the King County Search and Rescue Association (KCSARA) and King County Medic One, the team created different scenarios where a hoist rescue would be needed. 

Often winter rescues involve steep, snowy or icy terrain that makes a foot rescue very difficult. That's when our highly trained ASU members enter the picture for a hoist rescue.


Guardian Two is the Bell UH1 'Huey' helicopter captured here. With a maximum speed of 125 knots, and the capacity to carry a nine person crew, it is the helicopter most often used for regional SAR missions.

Take a look at that hilltop. If the dusting of snow is any indication we can expect King County Air Support, and other first responders, to have a busy winter season.

--King County Sheriff's Office



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Kenmore Air 75th anniversary bash

Monday, August 30, 2021

Story and photo by Cynthia Sheridan

Local bands, politicians, Northshore fire, several popular food vans - and, oh yes, float planes - gathered Saturday afternoon 11am to 3pm along the sunny shores of Lake Washington to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Kenmore Air.


Sea planes took off and landed throughout the event, ferrying sightseers all around the Puget Sound on pre-booked tours. Kenmore Air did a formation flyover.


The Lago Vista Social Club and Inglemoor High School band provided music and people danced in the sunlight.


Kenmore Air employees conducted free tours of the campus including a brief history of their seaplane operation.

A Kid Zone had a coloring table and ready to assembly Balsa airplanes - which were a big hit.

l-r (unidentified), Kenmore Air GM Todd Banks, 46th LD David Frockt, KC Councilmember Rod Dembowski, 46th LD Rep. Javier Valdez and Gerry Pollet

There were so many politicians present that the Kenmore City Council had to announce a potential quorum!


This fancy seaplane dropped in from their downtown Seattle Lake Union Seaport. The logo on the side is from King 5's Evening Magazine show.


The beer garden is always a hit. Food trucks included Dick's - who knew they had a food truck - Sweet Wheels ice cream, Vespucci wood-fired pizza, and Tacos el Guero.

The Kenmore waterfront has been home to Kenmore Air since its founding in 1946.



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75th anniversary celebration at Kenmore Air Saturday

Friday, August 27, 2021


Kenmore Air is celebrating their 75th Anniversary this Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 11:00am - 3:00pm. 
 
They are offering seaplane scenic rides for $75 per passenger. A beer garden, food trucks, including Dick’s Burgers will be there. 

Various entertainment is provided which includes a Lake Forest Park resident’s grooving band called “Lago Vista Social Club” which will be playing at 1:00pm and 2:00pm, so join in to all the fun! 

Complimentary parking and shuttle service will be available at the Kenmore Park and Ride.

See recent article Kenmore Air will fly you there



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Small plane crash-lands in water by Edmonds Marina Beach

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Photo by Julie Wiese, MyEdmondsNews.com

Around 5pm on Thursday, August 26, 2021 a small plane made a crash landing in the water near Edmonds' Marina Beach.

Edmonds Police report that the pilot was rescued and there were no passengers.

Photo courtesy Edmonds Police

The plane sank just outside of the breakwater. 

We will be working with multiple partners on this investigation. Expect an emergency services presence on the waterfront for some time.

MyEdmondsNews.com photographer Julie Wiese was on the spot as the plane was coming down, taking photos of the dramatic landing. 



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Kenmore Air will fly you there

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

DHC-3T Otter coming in from the north for a landing

Story and photos by Wayne Pridemore

Kenmore Air has flown over Lake Forest Park and Shoreline for over seventy-five years. The company's aircraft fleet is such a familiar sight that most residents pay little or no attention to them.

Today Kenmore Air is considered one of the premiere floatplane operators in the world. The company has a fleet of twenty seven seaplanes and land aircraft to take you on a scenic adventure.

Floatplane maintenance hangar at Kenmore

Kenmore Air corporate headquarters is located just north of Lake Forest Park at Kenmore, Washington on the north end of Lake Washington.

Engine maintenance

The airline has hubs for seaplanes at a terminal on Seattle's Lake Union and for land planes at Boeing Field-King County International Airport. From these bases the company operates scheduled and charter seaplane and landplane service throughout western Washington and southwestern British Columbia.

Kenmore Air's Chris Blair at the controls of the Otter

The company started operations on March 21,1946 by three high school friends, Bob Munro, Reg Collins, and Jack Mines. The young men had one airplane and a single hanger near swampy land in Kenmore. The company originally made money by flying supplies to sometimes dangerous locations in the state.

Ballard Bridge from a Seattle scenic flight

Soon Kenmore Air added three more aircraft and late in 1946 Bob Munro became sole owner. Late in the 1940s Kenmore Air became a Republic Seabee dealer for the Northwest and the company's future success was almost assured.

Taxiing to the dock at the end of a beautiful flight

Kenmore will fly you there for an adventure never to be forgotten. A twenty minute scenic tour over Seattle. How about a ninety minute flight over Mount Rainier and then on to Mount Saint Helens. There are daily scheduled flights between Seattle and eight San Juan Islands destinations. You might want to fly from downtown Seattle to Victoria and return by boat. 

Visit their webpage for other tour packages and prices.



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Burning rocket debris viewed in the skies over Shoreline

Friday, March 26, 2021

Photo taken from Richmond Beach by Frank Kleyn

Bright, burning objects slowly streaked across the sky on Thursday, March 25, 2021. 

Photo by Frank Kleyn

The Seattle Times reported that "Bright lights streaking across Pacific Northwest skies Thursday night were the burning debris from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket dropping back into Earth’s atmosphere, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle. The rocket was delivering Starlink satellites, built in Redmond, into orbit earlier this week."

The National Weather Service added this information on objects from space:

As a follow up to the debris observed earlier. Here's some more info on atmospheric re-entry. Typical man-made objects obtain low Earth orbit at speeds around 17,500 mph. As they re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, the angle must be just right. If it's too steep, they burn up.

If the angle is too small, they risk "skimming" the atmosphere like a stone on water. Meteors, on the contrary, can easily reach the top of atmosphere at speeds greater than 45,000 mph. In addition, the angle of impact can be very steep...which can incinerate the object quickly.


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Spray plane will be back Tuesday

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has scheduled the third gypsy moth treatment for Woodway and Boulevard Bluffs Tuesday, May 26.

Treatments will begin as early as 8am, weather permitting. However, because of our cloudy morning weather, the previous two treatments didn't start until around 10am. It takes about 40 minutes to complete the spraying in the town of Woodway, just north of Richmond Beach.

Expect low flying aircraft. On the second spraying, the cloud cover forced the pilot to fly low. The set up runs over Innis Arden and Richmond Beach startled residents who were not aware of the spraying. (Tell your neighbors!)

More information about gypsy moth treatments, including maps, can be found HERE

Questions? Call the WSDA Gypsy Moth Hotline at 1-800-443-6684 or email  gypsymoth@agr.wa.gov

Gypsy moth caterpillars are voracious eaters. In 2017, gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated one-third of the entire state of Massachusetts.



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Low-flying Gypsy moth spraying on Tuesday buzzes Richmond Beach and Innis Arden

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Cloud cover forced the pilot to stay low
Photo by Jan Hansen from Innis Arden


Weather again delayed the start of the spraying in Woodway for gypsy moth caterpillars. When it cleared enough for the plane to take off and start its runs, the cloud cover forced the pilot to fly lower than the previous spraying.

How close was it?
Photo by Wayne Pridemore in Richmond Beach


The pilot set up his runs as far south as Innis Arden this time.

Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Richmond Beach

The spraying was completed in about 40 minutes and the pilot took off to surprise nearby businesses in south Everett as he set up runs to spray the Boulevard Bluffs neighborhood there.

The product being sprayed is non-toxic, but sticky. It can be washed off with soap and water.



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Low flying aircraft - second Gypsy Moth treatment scheduled for Tuesday

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Spraying for gypsy moth
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

The second of three gypsy moth treatments has been scheduled for Woodway on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. 

Treatments will begin as early as 8am, weather permitting.

The first treatment was delayed for three hours until the clouds cleared.

Expect low flying aircraft over Richmond Beach as the pilot sets up his runs.

More information about gypsy moth treatments, including maps, can be found HERE



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Paine Field to suspend operations for 10 weeks

Monday, May 18, 2020

Paine Field in Everett
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

According to reporting the The Seattle Times, Paine Field in Everett will suspend passenger service from May 22 to July 31 for aircraft ramp maintenance and repairs.

They had originally planned the work for the summer but decided to take advantage of the unplanned break in air travel resulting from the COVID-19 turndowns.

They will be replacing asphalt ramps with more durable concrete.

Read The Times story HERE


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Spraying for gypsy moths in Woodway gives Shoreline residents a good view

Sunday, May 17, 2020

WSDA aircraft sprayed for gypsy moth in Woodway
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

As promised, the Washington State Department of Agriculture's plane arrived on Friday to spray Woodway, just north of Richmond Beach, for the voracious gypsy moth caterpillars.

The caterpillar of the Gypsy moth will eat its way
through entire forests
Photo courtesy WSDA

The non-native Gypsy moth is capable of defoliating thousands of acres of trees in a single year unless eradicated. Left unchecked, this invasive species can eat its way through a forest in short order. In 2017 an infestation defoliated one third of the state of Massachusetts.

Treatments occur as gypsy moth caterpillars emerge in the spring and begin to feed on vegetation. 

The WSDA plans three applications of Btk (see previous article and below) from 3 to 14 days apart. The spraying is weather dependent. Friday's spraying was delayed several hours when the morning weather was cloudy and raining.

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

672 acres of Woodway was the target, but the pilot lined up his runs over Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, then flew north to Woodway. It repeated this process several times as it moved eastward after each flight. The entire run took about 40 minutes.

Woodway was completed after two hours and the pilot flew north to repeat the spraying in the Boulevard Bluffs area of Everett.

The pilot set up his runs over Shoreline
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The low-flying aircraft gave Shoreline residents a good view.

The treatment consists of aerial applications of a soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, or Btk, which is an insecticide approved for use in organic agriculture and in organic gardening. It has an excellent safety record around people, plants, pets, fish, birds and bees and has been used globally for decades as a safe and effective treatment for combatting gypsy moth. 

You can sign up for alerts here: WSDA's 2020 Gypsy eradication webpage.


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Photo: A bird - a plane

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Photo by Mike Remarcke


A sleek and elegant airplane in the skies over Shoreline. Its registration number reveals it to be a Boeing 737-852 with AEROMEXICO markings and owned by Wells Fargo Bank.



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Air Force Flyover honors front line COVID-19 workers

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 62nd Airlift Wing stationed at McChord Air Field conducted a flyover at 30 health facilities and areas of interest in the Puget Sound region on Friday May 8, 2020.

This is to say thank you to all of the American heroes at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19.

Photo by Wayne Pridemore


The helicopters arrived about four minutes before the C-17s over Shoreline on Friday.

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

According to an Air Force fact sheet:

The C-17 Globemaster III is the most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

From the fact sheet:

The C-17 measures 174 feet long (53 meters) with a wingspan of 169 feet, 10 inches (51.75 meters). The aircraft is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, which are based on the commercial Pratt and Whitney PW2040 used on the Boeing 757. Each engine is rated at 40,440 pounds of thrust and includes thrust reversers that direct the flow of air upward and forward to avoid ingestion of dust and debris. Additionally, thrust reversers provide enough thrust to reverse the aircraft while taxiing backwards and create in-flight drag for maximum rate descents. The design characteristics give it the capability to operate into and out of short runways and austere airfields carrying large payloads. Maximum use has been made of commercial off-the-shelf equipment, including Air Force-standardized avionics.

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

From the fact sheet:

The aircraft is operated by a crew of three (pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster), reducing manpower requirements, risk exposure and long-term operating costs. Cargo is loaded onto the C-17 through a large aft ramp and door system that accommodates virtually all of the Army’s air-transportable equipment such as a 69-ton M1 Abrams main battle tank, armored vehicles, trucks and trailers.

Additionally, the cargo floor has rollers that can be flipped from a flat floor to accommodate wheeled or tracked vehicles to rollerized conveyors to accommodate palletized cargo. The C-17 is designed to airdrop 102 paratroopers with their accompanying equipment.

Fact Sheet



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Air Force to salute hospital and medical workers with flyover Friday afternoon

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Two C-17s from McChord will fly over 30 hospitals
in Puget Sound on Friday afternoon
Photo courtesy 62nd Airlift Wing 

Col. Robert V. Lankford, 62nd Operations Group (OG) commander, and Lt. Col. Judd Baker, 62nd OG deputy commander, invite you to watch

"a C-17 Globemaster III two-ship formation from McChord Air Field conducting an #AirForceSalutes flyover at 30 health facilities and areas of interest in the Puget Sound region, beginning 12:30pm, Friday May 8th!" 
This is to say thank you to all of the American heroes at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19.


Here is a detailed flight pattern and location list for Friday’s flyover. 



Their planned flight path has them first approaching us flying south from Arlington to the UW Medical Center between 1:22pm and 1:32pm. The path goes directly over Lake Forest Park and south Shoreline.

They criss-cross the Lake from the UW to Redmond, then back to central Seattle and south King county.

Then back north over Puget Sound between 2:12pm and 2:24pm. Southbound they'll be over Lake Washington on their way back home to McChord. 

Central Puget Sound flight path

Note that times are estimated and conditions may change the flight path. The plan is to fly over 30 different facilities. The list is on their Facebook page.

The Air Force invites you to take your best photo and submit it to the 62nd AW Public Affairs via their Facebook page's private message to enter in a photo contest. 

The winner’s photo will be posted to the 62nd Airlift Wing Facebook page along with receiving a patch and signed photo from the C-17 Demo Team performing the flight.




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Scene on the Sound: Land, air, and sea

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Photo by Jan Hansen


A double-rotor chopper flies over Puget Sound.




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