Goats to the Beach - DFW-MIA 6/18/10

[Harold Henderson]

Small numbers but high in quality: Rick Stevens (AAV409), me (AAV580), Damien Seals (AAV965), and Jim Parish (AAV1050). Ted Martin (AAV537) joined us later.

Departure formation off the end of DFW 17R. Near CW: Damien, Rick, me, and Jim

[Harold Henderson]

Rick lifts off.

[Harold Henderson]

The goats are loving this. They don't get to go flying everyday.

[Harold Henderson]

Muzzle to the glass.

[Harold Henderson]

Damien's rocket - the goats love speed and competent ATC. They were not disappointed on this departure. DFW ATC was excellent and professional.

[Harold Henderson]

Here, Damien is passing below me.

[Harold Henderson]

Somehow, Jim managed to get the goats running front to back in the cabin ... and walking back to the front. This extra energy gave his little 738 enough energy to catch up to the big boys.

[Harold Henderson]

Over the Big Easy with Damien forging ahead below and Rick ahead.

Also picked up hints of another, Ted Martin, preparing to launch out of New Orleans.

[Harold Henderson]

Rick with the sun to his back. I wonder how good this would look at 1000 px wide. Hmmmm.....maybe next month's ....

[Harold Henderson]

Rick crossing Louisiana's coastline, I think I can see oil down there. NOT a pretty sight.

[Harold Henderson]

Overheard one goat telling the other, "We have to do this more often. Screenshots just don't do it justice."

[Harold Henderson]

Ghost plane gliding above the waters like a giant shark .... wuuups ... the goats panicked a little at that word.

[Harold Henderson]

Feet dry.

[Harold Henderson]

Yes, it was dark for the landings, but after I parked, I switched to daylight so we could see the pics better.

Of course Miami Center came up as we were approaching Miami to help us "find" the airport.

Here, Rick, after a beautiful first approach, had a "stuck" autothrottle and had to go missed approach. At least "stuck" autothrottle is what's in the official report. We're sure it didn't have anything to do with the goat in the right seat with tons of flight sim experience in another type who couldn't respond quick enough to Rick's call of "autothrottle off".

[Harold Henderson]

Jim's approach lined up on rwy 9.