tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311258352012-02-08T11:52:14.435-06:00This is an ongoing tale of Alan and Jo's exploits in Austin, TX. Alan hopes there will be plenty of tasty beer involved, while Jo hopes to find lots of interesting aircraft.Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.comBlogger2471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-47971125509810843832012-02-01T08:43:00.000-06:002012-02-01T08:43:07.177-06:00

Although it's been a few months now since the end of the 2011 Sport Air Racing League season, I have put these videos together from the day. The final race is always good, since a lot of folks show up for it. Despite the grey and blustery weather conditions, everyone flew well and had a good time. First up, here's some of the racers explaining why they enjoy participating in SARL: Here's

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-9454450725927574762012-01-29T07:45:00.000-06:002012-01-29T07:45:02.144-06:00

Having a free Saturday, I decided to go down to Kingsbury Aerodrome, where they were having a work day. I figured I'd spend the day being involved in the restorations down there, rather than just taking pictures. So off I went. The first things that greeted me - apart from the other volunteers of course - were this pair of shop cats! They're only about a year old. I'm not even sure they have

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-78171093135909037022011-12-16T06:29:00.003-06:002011-12-16T06:29:41.815-06:00

Alan and I attended the Hot Rod Revolution show at Camp Mabry last Saturday. I like hot rods, they look like a lot of fun, and they have wonderful shapes, colors and textures. Here's a taster - come and check out the photo gallery.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-5151347806769865542011-12-01T14:52:00.000-06:002011-12-01T16:27:25.059-06:00

Friend Doug and I paid a visit to the new Redbird Skyport facility in San Marcos airfield. It opened just the other day, so I wanted to go and see what it was all about. The Skyport is both an FBO and a new pilot training centre, housed in a fabulous new building next to the new control tower. Redbird is a local company that makes flight simulator machines. They make both desktop and full motion

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-28741627604636493532011-11-23T21:37:00.001-06:002011-12-04T11:44:57.277-06:00

Racer Jason was kind enough to take me for a quick flight in his Vans RV-8 after the SARL race at Taylor last Saturday. What had been a very dull, overcast, gusty kind of a day turned into a broken cloud evening, with calmer winds. The sun played golden light over the tops of the clouds, and we wended our way through the holes; up into the hills and valleys of ghostly fabric hidden from the

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-9491685709112946592011-11-20T07:50:00.001-06:002011-11-29T06:13:14.899-06:00

On Friday 18th November 2011, I got to fly the North American T-28 Trojan! Two T-28s arrived for the last SARL air race of the season, at Taylor, TX. One flown by Joe Dickerson and the other flown by Chip Lamb. They are two of several pilots to fly these particular airplanes. The two aircraft are often seen at air shows, known as the Trojan Phlyers. Here they are in 2008 at the Bluebonnet

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-51995378169984439752011-11-14T07:44:00.001-06:002011-11-23T21:45:39.506-06:00

This weekend I was very lucky in the flying department. Two rides on consecutive days! The story starts with a B-17 visiting Georgetown airport. In particular, 'Aluminum Overcast', the one owned by the EAA, that tours around the country. She was stopping here in Central Texas so I figured that it being Veterans Day, it might be appropriate for me to go and visit. Off I trotted, and there she

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-40669310786688297222011-11-14T06:30:00.000-06:002011-12-04T11:46:34.449-06:00

A few posts ago, I spoke about the big fire at Bastrop, and showed some images of the damage. I also took video footage as we flew around. Here's the finished film showing out flight from San Marcos to Georgetown, spending some time orbiting the fire scar on the way.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-61757374613322860052011-11-01T20:11:00.000-05:002011-12-04T11:46:34.459-06:00

The Sport Air Racing League held a race in Cleveland, TX on the 15th October. This airport is north east of Houston, about an hour's flight directly east of Taylor. Mike and I launched out of Taylor just before dawn and watched the sun rise. We arrived amongst a cloud of other racers in the circuit, all landing in plenty of time for the race briefing. There's plenty of pictures over here, and

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-36947833124361029692011-10-03T09:21:00.000-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.501-06:00

My friend Charlie has a Cirrus SR-20. It is very nice; very few hours on the airframe and is in lovely condition. So when he asked if I'd like to go for a flight in it, of course I jumped at the chance. Here is the aircraft, seen here at Georgetown: We first flew about three or four days after the big fire in Bastrop got started. This is probably the biggest and most ferocious of the many

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-41126768805188824842011-08-24T10:06:00.001-05:002011-12-04T11:46:34.454-06:00

It's that time of year again, when Alan and I head north to Marble Falls, about an hour and a half's drive away, for the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series. They're fast! They're loud! They're cool! Drag boats come in several classes, from Personal Watercraft (jetskis etc) through River Racer, Top Eliminator, Top Alcohol and Top Fuel Hydro, as well as some others. Top Fuel Hydro are the big boys,

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-24219128881310442722011-08-16T11:39:00.000-05:002011-12-04T11:46:34.438-06:00

Remember this picture of Marty on the Breezy? Now you can come flying with us in glorious technicolor! I would love to get my hands on one of these aircraft... What a way to fly. It's like a magic carpet ride. Everything is so immediate; there's no canopy or perspex to get in the way. Many thanks to the guys who give these rides each year at Oshkosh. You're all stars!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-2793813059537402782011-08-08T10:10:00.000-05:002011-12-04T11:46:34.444-06:00

I took a ride on one of the EAA's three Bell 47 helicopters. These are the bubble-canopied helicopters made famous in the series #MASH, way back in the day. There are three of them that fly constantly over Oshkosh during the week, and it's a great way to see the extent and complexity of the huge showground.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-46896526549664797682011-08-05T08:45:00.000-05:002011-08-05T08:45:09.439-05:00

It's 2011, and where are our flying cars? At Ardy and Ed's drive-in, of course! On the Sunday before Oshkosh, a brace of flying cars (or roadable airplanes) descended into the 1950's style diner just south of Wittman Regional Airport. They have waitresses on rollerskates that clip serving trays to your car window and you can eat burgers and drink root beer floats in the comfort of your own

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-9385629806500764702011-08-04T21:10:00.001-05:002011-08-04T21:11:30.878-05:00

I am chuffed and stoked to have been included in two fine publications today! The EAA rounded up their selection of time lapse videos, which you can see here. They posted both of my #OSH11 offerings. And Dan Pimentel of Airplanista magazine took a selection of my 787 Dreamliner images for his August issue. Thanks guys! I am honoured!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-48034874861906565082011-08-04T10:09:00.001-05:002011-08-04T12:02:48.420-05:00

Just as I was leaving the campsite on Saturday morning, a copy of the local newspaper was thrust into my hand, with the news that we were all on the front page! And here we all are - I've highlighted the MyTransponder crew. I'm in orange at the front. Ron is wearing white to the left (my right). I think I can see Martt, David and his daughter, John and Damon and maybe Larry. It's hard to

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-36974436449293820312011-08-02T16:47:00.000-05:002011-08-02T16:47:09.665-05:00

It's always good to see the CAF's big bomber, the B-29. Here's a few shots of her in the air, with a few showing the EAA's photo chase plane, Photo 1, doing some air-to-air work alongside. Getting some shots including some Little Friends (P-51 Mustangs). Getting a nice overhead view of the showground behind the bomber. Here's a close up of Photo 1, filled with photographers. Taxiing

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-64444667525225243672011-08-02T09:10:00.003-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.514-06:00

Here is one of the highlights of my #OSH11. Ron Klutts (@Captain_Ron) asked me to take some air to air shots of the Remos he was scheduled to take a media demo flight in. Of course, I was delighted for the opportunity! Air to air? At Oshkosh? Hell yes!Here's only a couple of shots for now. More will be appearing on AirspeedOnline soon.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-6283384131641396472011-08-01T16:26:00.003-05:002011-08-01T17:23:54.582-05:00

The first time I attended Oshkosh, in 2008, it was about the aeroplanes. I spent the whole week taking pictures of every single one. The place was (and is) a goldmine; so many wonderful aircraft to see, many of them rarities to be seen nowhere else.However since then, the focus each year has become more and more about the people. I am lucky enough to make a few more friends each time I go, so by

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-11630446809969918652011-07-31T08:57:00.003-05:002011-12-04T11:48:28.756-06:00

Friday 29th July saw the first public appearance of the prototype 787 Dreamliner (ZA001) at Oshkosh. Boeing's newest airliner was first glimpsed circling in a holding pattern to the west of the airfield, before running in for a flyby. The aircraft made for an incredibly elegant sight; her wings gently bowed in a dihedral. The wings taper and curve into a swept-up tip, rather than using the

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-32171959117835985452011-07-31T08:46:00.003-05:002011-12-04T11:48:28.760-06:00

I shot this video during the Monday and Tuesday of #OSH11. Wednesday dawned overcast and raining, so I hid in the MyTransponder RV and did some video editing, to come up with this: I am very pleased; it has been featured in the EAA's daily Oshkosh email newsletter, on the EAA AirVenture.org website, as well as Benet Wilson's Oshkosh Top 10, the Pursuit of Wings blog, and on AirPigz.com! Thanks

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-382802356331976122011-07-27T09:43:00.003-05:002011-07-27T09:51:48.490-05:00

Here's a few from Oshkosh so far:Another look at that fabulous paint scheme on the Kodiak Quest:Sean D Tucker B-29 Fifi being photographedA Howard 500Lastly, here's my friend Marty landing back in on the Breezy we each took a ride on:

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-83520335350488994772011-07-26T08:59:00.003-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.543-06:00

I just flew in this Breezy! It was so named for a good reason ;-)It's like flying on a magic carpet; you just levitate off the runway, and there is NOTHING around you.... you'll never get a better view of the world... Brilliant!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-82250578318014923512011-07-25T07:15:00.001-05:002011-07-25T22:40:45.879-05:00

The coolest paint job in the history of the world. Ever. The plane is a Kodiak Quest.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-87084160586012134812011-07-23T20:00:00.002-05:002011-07-24T17:25:22.677-05:00

Here's a few shots from our journey to Oshkosh 2011, via King Air!This is the view of the engine from the right seat :-) The wierd prop artifacts are from the iphone camera.We stopped at Iola, Kansas, for fuel and lunch.These are some of the fabulous clouds we passed around. This storm followed us to Oshkosh and dumped rain on us later that night. Big lightning at 3am.And finally, some reverse

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-3192042777892504832011-07-20T12:15:00.002-05:002011-07-20T12:20:00.511-05:00

As I type, it is only four days before the start of Airventure 2011, the EAA's massive aviation shindig in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I'm reasonably confident that if you're reading this blog, you don't need me to explain much more.Keep an eye for posts during next week... I'll be up there, hopefully enjoying myself around 10,000 aeroplanes and a lot of my buddies who will also be there.The video below

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-75938976871665129102011-06-30T10:31:00.005-05:002011-06-30T10:50:32.123-05:00

There's a new beastie in town! This is a Sopwith Camel, built by Russ Turner from one of the Airdrome kits. I shot the pictures above from the back seat of this lovely Aeronca Champion, flown by Russ's buddy Roger. Thanks, Roger!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-32739724817790737232011-06-20T09:19:00.001-05:002011-06-20T09:21:13.658-05:00

I am delighted that one of my images has been chosen for the Reklaw Fly-In postcard, for the second year in a row!If you're on the Reklaw mailing list, look for this in your mailbox soon :-)

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-15112015308679132011-06-17T08:09:00.001-05:002011-06-17T08:10:43.976-05:00

There's a little airfield on top of a cliff, north of the city. It is for paragliders and model aircraft. Here's a few shots from this location.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-89957736915370891212011-06-07T21:31:00.002-05:002011-06-07T21:36:48.531-05:00

So this weekend past, I was in San Diego for the International Society of Aviation Photography's annual symposium. This was very cool indeed; we had some great speakers and a wonderful field trip day.Alan flew out and joined me on Saturday; he also has a conference in town this week. This meant we got to spent the Sunday together, which was even cooler!We took a brief tour around the city in the

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-45398833875641683892011-06-07T21:17:00.005-05:002011-06-07T21:31:32.221-05:00

We went to Galveston a few weeks back for the Air Race, but this post is about the houses and harbour instead.Galveston has a fabulous historic district. We spent some time looking around the houses, both on a casual walking-to-the-pub basis, and as part of the organised tour that was running the weekend we visited. Too bad you couldn't take photos inside the houses as they were magnificent, but

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-33790594100059476112011-05-30T12:37:00.001-05:002011-05-30T12:38:44.275-05:00

I am going to have a beer tonight!Got word today that this is the new issue of Fly-Low magazine, featuring my first ever aviation magazine front cover image! Look for it in an FBO near you these next few weeks...

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-1105806082148357992011-05-26T13:31:00.002-05:002011-05-26T13:40:41.621-05:00

This vehicle sits outside the Capitol Insurance building on Mopac. I thought it was the front end of a jet plane at first, so went to take a closer look. It turns out to be a car of sorts, although sadly it's in pretty poor shape. The perspex windows are opaque and cracked with age and it's missing a few lights. The dashboard is pretty wrecked too.I mentioned it to friend Jim, who told me he

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-82724290776239454202011-04-26T09:42:00.003-05:002011-04-26T10:12:11.150-05:00

Alan has a new wagon! He traded in his Golf GTI for this shiny Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is about twice the size and will allow him to carry a thousand tons of sports gear and go on longer journeys in more comfort.It has a 5.7 litre V8 Hemi engine, making about 350 horsepower. Yeah, baby! And see that handsome posterior? Press a button and the boot/trunk lid opens and closes automatically... or

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-41547146501551657452011-04-23T16:51:00.003-05:002011-04-23T18:30:40.853-05:00

So here it is; the story of what two girls get up to when equipped with a Jeep and several days to gallivant around the USA... This was born of Diane telling me she wanted to see a bit more of the USA this time. Ha! Be careful what you wish for!We set off on the morning of Sunday 10th April, heading north on I-35. Drove up to Waco, then on past Dallas, bearing east towards Texarkana on the Texas/

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-86897680308449521742011-04-04T06:07:00.003-05:002011-04-07T06:13:45.912-05:00

Diane is visiting from the UK! She is here for a little over two weeks and we have many cool things planned.First up was Taylor Air Race.... first of the season for the Sport Air Racing League.So here is Diane posing in front of the P-51 Mustang... it's a fine thing when you're standing 20 feet off the edge of the runway and this thing charges past you on takeoff, at full chat. One of the best

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-63665794631313964492010-12-28T17:44:00.005-06:002011-01-09T08:24:38.164-06:00

What happens when a non-pilot tries their hand at navigating an aircraft?Those of you who have been following along over the last couple of years will have noticed me mentioning my good friend Jim, who is a splendid chap and is very generous with the right seat in his aeroplane, a Vans RV-7A. Aside from a couple of trial lessons many years ago, I have no formal flight training. However, I have

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-82306017198024959332010-11-10T08:53:00.004-06:002011-12-04T11:48:28.765-06:00

Jim and I took a sunset flight out of Taylor. It was a really pretty evening.Here's the eye candy:And our aerial chariot:Now you get to come and fly with us!:

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-80110527244507946112010-11-07T10:07:00.002-06:002010-11-07T11:12:51.181-06:00

A friend of mine (hello David!) has a friend who is a C-5 pilot, based at Kelly AFB in San Antonio. He asked if his friend, Major Matt Van der Walle, would give me a tour of his squadron. Maj Van der Walle kindly agreed, and so it was that I found myself heading to San Antonio on the day before the Lackland Airshow. I was visiting 356th Airlift Squadron, part of the 433rd Airlift Wing. They fly

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-81126974649371111472010-11-03T08:21:00.006-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.535-06:00

Last weekend was one of the most awesome experiences ever, during which I was able to capture some of the best photographs of my life. I don't say that lightly! Read on...I went up to Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, TX. Their airshow was held on the Saturday and Sunday. I went up on Friday morning, to hook up with a bunch of friends of mine, who had travelled in from all over the USA and from

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-72187201028319010082010-10-13T07:53:00.002-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.524-06:00

My good friend Jim and I have planned for months to fly Jim's RV-7A from his home base in Taylor, TX to Marfa, about 350 miles west. Marfa is deep into the West Texas Desert, across vast plains and tall mountains. We finally found a weekend in which we could both make the trip, and that the weather was good, on the 9th October. Tally-ho!Here's the route we followed; from T74 (Taylor) to KOZA (

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-88242590023261056782010-09-23T12:39:00.005-05:002011-12-04T13:31:56.922-06:00

On the 17th September 2010, the United States Air Force retired their T-43A Gator aircraft. It was used as a navigation trainer and was known as 'The Flying Classroom'. A short ceremony at Randolph AFB took place with personnel from 562nd Flying Training Squadron and the 12th Flying Training Wing, with whom the T-43 finished its service.Here's a final flypast of the existing Air Education and

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-90680970609690881342010-09-20T07:50:00.000-05:002010-09-20T07:51:05.531-05:00

We own a pub!Well, actually, we are member-investors in one of Austin's newest brewpubs, Black Star. It is a co-operative, so it is owned by its members who each pay some money into the enterprise. I'm not sure how it works out; whether we own a couple of bricks or a whole brewing vessel, but it's really cool to know you have a bit of your own pub :-)Last week, the place was fitted out enough

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-90059069808825797092010-09-09T06:13:00.002-05:002011-12-04T13:31:56.927-06:00

On September 1st 2010, I had the very good fortune to be invited down to Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, to take part in a media flight aboard the T-43A Gator aircraft.The T-43 is a modified Boeing 737 and is used for navigation training exercises. Combat Systems Officers receive their basic navigation training here before moving on to their specific roles elsewhere in the Armed

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-56429082881356162492010-09-08T17:57:00.003-05:002010-09-08T18:09:17.088-05:00

I have over ten thousand pictures of aeroplanes over on futurshox.net and I figured I should do something with them. I wanted to make something that people could enjoy away from the computer.So here it is; my new* book - 'Prop Arcs'! Have a flick through it in the preview box below. If you like it, why not grab yourself a copy? Or give one to someone who loves aircraft?Order online: Standard

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-89502535386851483142010-08-31T09:32:00.003-05:002010-08-31T09:43:02.074-05:00

On July 10th, Jason Schappert and Vincent Lambercy visited Georgetown on their way home to Florida. They had left there three weeks previously and flown to California, and were now about half way back. Their flight was to promote General Aviation, and celebrate the fact that despite their dissimilar backgrounds, two pilots from different countries could fly together and be part of the same family

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-77207454677583180562010-08-18T16:58:00.011-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.531-06:00

Wow, what a trip.This year I got lucky. No commercial flights, luggage going to California or TSA shenanigans to deal with. Not this time. I travelled in style, by King Air! I was hooked up via the EAA RideShare website, and Al agreed to carry me. (You should have heard me holler when I finished that phone call!) There were ten of us on the aircraft. It was large, with leather seats, DVD player,

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-7495568916488409332010-07-03T21:32:00.003-05:002011-12-04T13:31:56.912-06:00

It's been a while since I updated this blog, I know, but I haven't been completely idle.If you keep an eye on my Youtube channel, you may have noticed an increase in video output over the last few months. And if you missed it, grab yourself a cup of tea and read on!In May, Kingsbury Aerodrome hosted their Spring Air Fair. It was blowing pretty gusty winds through most of the morning which kept a

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-82228444568281072922010-06-13T15:07:00.001-05:002010-06-13T15:07:30.666-05:00

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-72286506679301004542010-04-23T14:50:00.002-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.527-06:00

Back in March, Jim and I took an early morning flight from Taylor to Fredericksburg. It was glorious weather. We took a course that led us to Burnet, turned left over the airfield there and headed southwest to T82. Upon arrival, it seemed like half of Texas had the same thought - go for breakfast on this fine Sunday morning! The airfield was busier than I've ever seen it - although to be fair, it

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-48967623576340741632010-03-19T15:24:00.001-05:002010-03-19T15:24:47.012-05:00

Seen at IAH, terminal E

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-5856554625483484762010-03-18T11:40:00.006-05:002010-03-18T12:20:10.984-05:00

There's a thing called South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin this week. It's a huge trade show/festival/party/shindig that starts with New Media/Internet stuff, goes on to Music and is spanned by a film festival. It's centred on the Convention Center, and downtown Austin gets busy.This attracts lots of vendors, one of whom is Chevrolet. They had a bunch of cars down by the Convention Centre for

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-52723967848654142472010-03-11T13:14:00.003-06:002010-03-18T11:39:48.907-05:00

Last week, I had the enormous pleasure of attending the International Society of Aviation Photography's (ISAP) symposium in Las Vegas. We co-incided the convention date with that of Red Flag, a large excercise undertaken each year by the US Air Force, with foreign participation, as combat training. This means there are large numbers of fast jets and bombers going in and out of Nellis Air Force

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-59136610505734325042010-03-06T15:09:00.001-06:002010-03-06T15:09:53.803-06:00

Mr Wilson, demonstrating William Tell and gravity.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-50468905999647819832010-03-05T09:39:00.001-06:002010-03-05T09:39:57.714-06:00

Bill, Valentine, Hans, Marcel, Jan-Arie, Jurgen, Bob, Mark

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-23316211307299546452010-03-05T09:35:00.000-06:002010-03-05T09:36:15.564-06:00

Rodolfo, Glenn, Jon, Debbie, Jim, Rob, Nan, Mark, Andrew, Warner

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-1628006671550138552010-03-04T11:49:00.001-06:002010-03-04T11:49:52.559-06:00

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-67205645716251826092010-03-03T10:10:00.000-06:002010-03-03T10:11:08.120-06:00

Land of mountains and many wind turbines.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-64734126285587239672010-03-03T08:15:00.000-06:002010-03-03T08:16:47.800-06:00

In Mojave, CA to visit Mojave Airport and Edwards AFB!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-12847983140554169262010-02-23T11:23:00.002-06:002011-11-23T21:45:39.487-06:00

Here's a new video I made from a flight with Jim mid-February, when the sun came out briefly after several weeks of dismal weather. One day of warmth, and then back to the grey and cold. As I write these words, it is actually snowing outside!So the airwaves were busy, as half of Texas got airborne... in fact we just missed seeing Charlie, who stopped in to Taylor for fuel and left just before we

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-16485913673004955352010-01-07T06:15:00.000-06:002010-08-06T06:16:16.329-05:00

I was invited recently by Dan Pimentel of Av8rdan.com to be a guest blogger for his site. So, I wrote this piece on Evening Flying for him. I hope you might like to pop over there and read it.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-2461518330744328192009-11-10T20:23:00.008-06:002011-11-23T21:45:39.494-06:00

Each year in San Antonio, the city's two large air bases, Randolph and Lackland, take it in turn to host their annual air show. This is always a great show, with plenty of US Air Force demonstrations alongside the civilian performers.This year it was the turn of Randolph AFB to host the show, this year named 'Forging the Future', and for the first time I was lucky enough to be granted a media

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-66557694131354262072009-10-30T13:44:00.003-05:002011-11-23T21:45:39.517-06:00

Once again, October is upon us and this brings the delights of Autumn in Central Texas; cooler weather, bright blue skies and generally lovely outside.Perfect timing, then, for what has been referred to as the Oshkosh of East Texas - Reklaw!Twenty-five years ago, Dave and Marcia Mason carved themselves a runway out of their forested ranchland, forming a canyon of trees over 3000 feet long. They

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-3094460419106614072009-09-23T16:42:00.001-05:002009-09-23T17:16:37.627-05:00

This transport museum has a flying car!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-77125264906710673572009-09-23T15:14:00.001-05:002009-09-23T17:16:37.627-05:00

Drop sondes at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-69029934930116110392009-09-22T15:11:00.000-05:002009-09-23T17:14:49.887-05:00

This is a natural amphitheatre at which many famous bands have played.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-35993845391153689712009-09-22T15:09:00.000-05:002009-09-23T17:14:49.887-05:00

Less rain today, so into the mountains we went. Took a ride on a train which was fun. And cold - it was snowing!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-29669220043959293752009-09-21T19:05:00.000-05:002009-09-23T17:14:49.888-05:00

Beer and football bingo at Breckenridge's downtown location.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-44824563246289014112009-09-21T15:01:00.000-05:002009-09-23T17:14:49.888-05:00

Denver's fine air museum contains many shiny things, including this Jet Wing.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-88260798698623008322009-09-20T11:41:00.001-05:002009-09-20T16:25:37.591-05:00

With flowers and everything! Not used to those in Texas!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-38760451605353298842009-09-20T10:51:00.001-05:002009-09-20T16:25:43.041-05:00

So, we made it to Wyndkoop Brewery in town, where we enjoyed some tasty ales.Later, we walked down South to Breckenridge Brewery which also had a BBQ bar, so we had some very tasty food with our beer. Yum!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-71212857714785709032009-09-19T12:35:00.002-05:002009-09-20T16:24:38.177-05:00

Made it to Colorado on holiday! Look at the colossal size of this Yukon we have as a rental car. It is mad. Now to park it up and find some brewpubs.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-15750158548155371252009-08-12T03:34:00.000-05:002009-08-18T04:07:23.328-05:00

Marble Falls LakefestLakefest is a three-day extravaganza of power, noise and speed on water. Various classes of drag boats compete to complete a quarter-mile sprint in the shortest time possible. These boats range from River Racers to Top Fuel Alcohol manic machines.Drag boats are much like drag cars; they have huge, supercharged, V8 or V12 engines that are insanely loud. They have to be

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-22437946429159745472009-08-10T08:05:00.003-05:002009-08-10T08:09:46.933-05:00

A few random shots from the week. Enjoy!Kirby Chambliss doing one of his trademark takeoffsMatt Younkin leaving trails of smokeGreg Koontz in an unusual attitudeSuper ChipmunkWaco on floats in the morning lightAirbus A380 takeoffThis helicopter was filming the crowd along the flightline

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-38390897327120507002009-08-04T20:54:00.010-05:002009-08-05T09:14:25.228-05:00

In my last blog entry, I mentioned that I'd had the opportunity to fly in a couple of Cessna aircraft during Oshkosh. Here's how it happened.Rod Rakic of MyTransponder.com has been hard at work organising media rides for himself and other Podcasters/Bloggers, with Cessna and other manufacturers. It turned out that two of these rides were in a Cessna 206 Stationair and Cessna Citation Mustang,

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-71539511195404839772009-08-03T08:41:00.007-05:002009-08-03T15:19:34.638-05:00

Once again, I am back home after a great week at Oshkosh, and wondering how to write about all that happened during my time there. I'll start at the beginning...(Quick aside; all @names refer to Twitter folks. EG; @futureshox means visit twitter.com/futureshox to find that person.)MondayI got a flight from Austin to Chicago, and from there to Appleton. The flight was pleasant - watching the dawn

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-45831973484213947942009-08-01T15:36:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.440-05:00

Drinking a Honkers Ale while waiting for my flight back to Austin. It is tasty.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-46424548967844340382009-08-01T15:35:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.441-05:00

Here is the Cessna taxiing out with @mike_miley inside, after I flew in it.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-38801312694358205942009-08-01T01:33:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.441-05:00

Just one of the many gorgeous classics dotted around the field.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-87161695042168660042009-07-30T11:45:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.441-05:00

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-512382558838538442009-07-30T09:52:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.442-05:00

It is pouring with rain but I came out here anyway; had to be done. Will probably return tomorrow if wx improves.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-2106132383387268482009-07-29T18:58:00.003-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.442-05:00

And then they threw us into this beautiful jet for another hour! Photos and more words to follow :-)

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-6013782257677945612009-07-29T18:58:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.442-05:00

Thanks to several friends and Cessna, I got to fly in this for an hour! It was very cool.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-301300013344742712009-07-29T18:52:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.442-05:00

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-14907850138846703952009-07-29T18:50:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.443-05:00

Lysander and Lancaster

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-67265196064020342392009-07-29T18:48:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.443-05:00

WK2 on Aeroshell Square

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-50247810205706034292009-07-28T22:06:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.443-05:00

Not everything here is beautiful ;-) however, camp has arrived and is now set up and is a sight for sore eyes. We also got a proper demo from White Knight 2 and the A380 which were so, so good.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-61280105183002651592009-07-27T23:07:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.443-05:00

This helicopter did a huge water bomb drop demo.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-41456380375873752482009-07-27T23:03:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.444-05:00

Virgin Galactic's finest shiny new spacecraft launcher.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-21390353736320906762009-07-27T16:15:00.001-05:002009-08-02T12:54:51.444-05:00

Made it to Oshkosh! Shame my bag full of clothes and camping gear went to California. I hope to be reunited with it soon. Meanwhile, there are aeroplanes to be examined!

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-79014726597640709752009-07-23T09:15:00.002-05:002009-07-23T18:06:29.814-05:00

Agent K and his family came to visit for a couple of days! Although it was fairly spur-of-the-moment, they hopped on a flight from the UK and were with us for two nights.It was really great to see them and to be able to show them around some local places, such as Kingsbury, San Marcos CAF and Austin's Capitol Building. I cooked a curry for their arrival on Tuesday, then we ate in the Cellar Cafe

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-18558967740650260122009-07-12T17:59:00.003-05:002009-07-12T18:41:56.077-05:00

I spent a good day on Saturday.First stop was New Braunfels airfield, for their Pancake Breakfast fly-in. This is always entertaining and hey, they offer free pancakes! So I enjoyed a pleasant hour or so socialising with the usual posse of local pilots that attend these things.When they all flew away, my attention turned towards the many swifts that were flying about, back and forth to their

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-63342042897798767752009-07-08T09:25:00.002-05:002009-07-08T09:29:03.212-05:00

It's well-known tourist attraction; the millions of Mexican Freetail Bats that live under Congress Avenue Bridge. Every night at sundown, between April and September, they come out to feast on mosquitoes. Good bats! And every night at sundown, loads of people come out to watch them swarm off into the night. Here's a few shots.WaitingOut they come!There's really quite a lot of them.

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-13347927600246046662009-06-29T07:18:00.002-05:002009-06-29T07:32:37.100-05:00

I have been lucky enough to fly three times in the last two weekends!Last week was Kingsbury fly-in, which is always an excellent festival of classic and WW1-era vintage aircraft and vehicles. John kindly took me up in this Meyers OTW for a few circuits:I love flying in the Meyers, it's a great aeroplane. Not so good for taking photos from as there are so many wing wires and struts, but a nice

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-6544894591382524142009-06-22T11:33:00.002-05:002009-06-22T11:37:54.145-05:00

They say everything is bigger in Texas, don't they?Well, here we have a Stick Insect. Nice little guy. For our UK viewers, the quarter I put next to him is about the same size as a 10p piece.And we have some weeds. Though they look like small trees, we were actually able to just pull them up like a dandelion. They have that odd root structure which makes a 90 degree bend and runs just under the

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-57848335610005932982009-06-19T09:45:00.003-05:002009-06-19T09:49:43.111-05:00

Here's Alan's shiny new conical fermenter, in full swing during primary fermentation. It contains ten gallons of Summer Rye. Initial test pourings show promise of a lovely golden ale. Patience....

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-63685950005713729602009-06-14T21:19:00.004-05:002009-06-15T08:47:14.048-05:00

It's been a while since the last update, mainly because I have been busy playing tour guide again - my Dad, Steve, came to visit for two weeks. Which was very splendid. So of course he needed the whistle-stop tour of Texas.I picked him up from Austin Bergstrom airport on the afternoon of Thursday 28th, took him home, then once Alan was back we introduced him to Tex-Mex food at the Texican Cafe.On

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-20529382098081923152009-05-18T09:36:00.005-05:002009-05-18T10:01:04.044-05:00

Balloon pilots Joe Reynolds and David Smuck attended Smithville Fly-in, with me as crew, on Saturday 16th May. The weather was bad enough around Austin to keep the other club members in their beds that morning, but over in Smithville it was quite pleasant. Joe decided to do a short flight demo for the 10-20 folks that had turned out in the hope of seeing balloons, so here is a 3 1/2 minute video

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-42710705253387713112009-05-18T09:26:00.003-05:002009-05-18T09:42:47.321-05:00

On Thursday 14th May I had the most excellent opportunity to visit Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, to photograph Steve Tupper of Airspeed Online, while he got a ride in a T-6A Texan II aircraft. Will Hawkins of Wilco Films was also there to video the whole thing.The Texan II is the primary fixed-wing training aircraft of the US Air Force and looks like one heck of a ride. We were the

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31125835.post-15880393676308169662009-05-11T15:29:00.003-05:002009-05-11T15:39:24.965-05:00

Couple o' bits that may be of interest. Or not. But I'm posting them anyway so here we go:Went over to Llano at the weekend, about 1.5 hours away, for a clay shooting competition. We stopped in Llano town first as we'd got there quite early. Found a very nice little coffe shop called Fuel, in which Alan enjoyed his usual quad espresso, in fact he complimented them on the coffee which means it

Jo Hunterhttps://profiles.google.com/107083270281392984225noreply@blogger.com0