Aruba Airport Arrival Tips, video

Your arrival at the Queen Beatrix Airport in Aruba is generally easy. You’ll deplane, walk through the terminal, show your passport at immigration, and then collect your luggage. Once you exit the secure area, this video will show you where to find cell phone rentals, taxis, transfer buses, and rental cars. Check it out, especially that plane landing and the rope swing into the Caribbean at the end.

Hopefully, this video will help you navigate those first few minutes after you arrive and get you off to a great start enjoying all that Aruba has to offer. Bon dia.

Published in: on March 13, 2012 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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Blackhawk, Inside and Out

If you ever wondered what a US Army Blackhawk helicopter looked like on the inside and out, take a look at this video I made. This particular helicopter was part of a show at my local airport. The crew was very accommodating, allowing us wing nutz to take a seat at the controls. Here’s the video:

The control panel is not one of those multi-function displays, but rather clusters of individual instruments. You’ll also notice the spartan construction, no fancy woodwork or even smooth sheet metal. Just a raw panel with instruments bolted fast. Makes it easy to replace and repair, which is an important factor in military operations. Since I don’t have my helicopter rating, there was no chance of a jaunt in the this bird, not that it was in the cards if I had the ticket. Still, it was interesting to meet the crew, check out their machine, and learn a few things.

Published in: on September 26, 2011 at 12:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Threshold at 11, Aruba

When landing at Aruba, most flights use Runway 11 due to the prevailing winds from the east, south east. Lately the wind has been variable with some planes landing from the other direction. Either way, Queen Beatrix Airport has plenty of room to accommodate the largest aircraft, including the Boeing 747 which arrives from Amsterdam a couple of times a week. Here’s a look at the threshold of Runway 11 for my flying pals who can never get enough of this kind of thing.

It has to be a beautiful sight from the left seat of jetliner, coming in over the scattered reefs and shoals dotting the blue Caribbean. I’ve heard stories from the old days of my pals riding the jump seat. That was back when things like that were permitted. These days, we’re stuck in the back, catching a glimpse here and there. Unless… well… unless the flying club gets their Cessna going again. Then I’d be quite happy to take a trip around the pattern and see it first hand.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on August 26, 2011 at 12:31 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Final at Smoketown

Last week an interesting flight came up. The Cessna 172 airplane that I normally fly had just completed its 100 hour inspection and needed to be transferred from the field where the mechanics are located to its home base. It was my lucky day to make the run. Teaming up with Rick (a highly competent flight instructor and all around decent follow), we headed west to Smoketown Airport, which is located near those famous outlets in Lancaster County, PA, USA. Rick flew the outbound leg, giving me the opportunity to snap a few photos. Here we are on final approach at Smoketown.

The runway is a little narrow and not very long, but plenty of room for a 172 to land and take off. Sure enough the other plane was ready and waiting. I preflighted, warmed up, and headed east through the haze. It was a short hop but those flights are good for polishing basic skills. Never enough practice is a good motto. In the last couple of days the haze has lightened, only to be replaced by thundershowers. Still, there’s plenty of good weather to fly. Make the most of it.

Published in: on June 12, 2011 at 1:12 pm  Leave a Comment  
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