Well I have a few days off this week so I took a little trip to Orange County.  My sister was up here visiting (she lives in Southern California) so I did what any gentleman would do and escorted her home LOL  8).  Anyway I flew down with her and we spent the day at Disneyland.  I also met up with an old friend who was also able to make it to Disneyland for the day.  Very short, but pleasant trip.

I was so bummed.  I haven't flown into KSNA in years and I have been looking forward to going back to I could experience the infamous take-off out of SNA.  Due to the rich people living off the departure end (under normal ops) there is a strict noise abatement procedure that actually makes it one of the most intense and dangerous departures in the country, possibly in the world.  Anyway, while I was down there, the Santa Ana winds were blowing causing the airport to be in reverse operations.  Anyway here you go...enjoy. 


Can you find LAX???  Give you a hint...it's under the middle "canoe".


The only cool thing about this approach is that it goes directly over Santa Catlina Island.  I have actually piloted a cessna to this island a few years back.  There is a small airstrip at the top of the island.  Very cool.




HEY LOOK!!  The bitchy rich people!  They are referred to as N.I.M.B.Y.s (Not In My Back Yard)  Grrrr I hate how people can move into an airports back yard and then have the right to bitch about the noise and cause strict regulations.   




Landind was very rough.  We stuck to that runway like glue.  With the short runway, and an aircraft that likes to keep flying making it hard to make a "geaser" (the 737-700) pilots often have to force the aircraft onto the runway...


Due to our gate being occupied, we had to hold out for about 15 minutes before being able to pull in.  I grabbed this shot of a Delta MD-90...Another interesting note about the departure.  Delta opperates the MD-90s at SNA because they are much quieter than other jets in the fleet.  This is the same reason Southwest ONLY flies the 737-700 to SNA and why they were never allowed to opperate their -200s at SNA.  It's amazing what people with money (the N.I.M.Y.s) can do...such power.   

Excellent shots Silver.

What's the secret? Mine never come out like that.

Great shots!