Computers....

Computers are amazing things... when they work. They can also be very expensive piles of productivity-stealing rubbish when they don't.

Mine didn't work. For some time. I've learned many valuable yet painful lessons from this.

Let me help you:

1. When the magic box starts acting wonky, be concerned. Be very concerned. It probably won't self-repair. Ever.

2. If hard drives act wonky then act ok, they're considered wonky and unreliable. Don't trust the little bastards.

3. Consider un-edited and completed polished files equally in the game of back-ups. Either can reduce you to a blubbering pile of man-flesh if they're lost.

4. Think worst-case when planning your backup strategy. And when I say "worst-case" I mean motherboard goes bad AND internal drive goes bad AND external drive suddenly won't read. That kind of worst-case scenario. It happens.

Consider yourself warned; plan accordingly.

On the Dreamliner... ANA's 787-800 gets an unexpected visitor: ME!

Photographers are at the mercy of their subject matter. We can do all sorts of fancy magical tricks once we see our subjects, but if there isn't a 7-spot ladybug in front of your lens its going to be awfully hard to get an image of one. And so it was for me and Boeing's newest offering: the 787 Dreamliner. I had captured one heat-wave distorted image from a visit to MCAS Yuma, Arizona while Boeing was undertaking hot weather testing there. I had also had a fly-by with one while rushing to catch a flight at Tokyo Haneda airport, but other than that my files were pretty bare.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner N7478 baking in the Arizona sun.

A little closer: Dreamliner in a photo-unfriendly slot at Tokyo Haneda, Japan.

While on holiday in Hiroshima I was quite excited to see on my super-smart and ever-so-handy phone that while I was waiting to catch a flight home that my "white whale" would be arriving and pulling up to the gate next to our departure jet way. A quick jaunt up the stairs and a ¥100 coin in the turnstile gave me access to the observation deck and my first views of a Dreamliner in motion. My first impression was that it seemed to be a 737 on steroids. It doesn't have the "super-big / long" feeling like a 777 or A330. Perhaps its because the wide-body doesn't look so big when you have a pair of massive Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines under the gently curving wings.

ANA Boeing 787-800 JA807A with thrust reversers deployed on arrival to Hiroshima, Japan.

Air China Boeing 737-700 B-5211 preparing to taxi up to Wicket D with the Dreamliner.

During the taxi back to the gate I noticed an Air China 737 landing and coming back to the same gate area. We were due to leave from Gate D (or Wicket D as it was labeled) on an ANA 737and I thought it odd to see the Air China 737 pulling into the empty slot. And slowly it began to sink in... I was flying back to Tokyo on the Dreamliner!

Note the gentle upswing of the wing tips and the venting beneath the wing.

Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines balance the wide-body fuselage of the Dreamliner.

Hiroshima utilized the dual-jetway loading option and since I was on the far side in the last row as I entered through the first-class and subsequent business-class areas. First impression: headroom headroom headroom! Multi-colored LEDs gave a rainbow sky effect as I headed back to the rear. Even with all of the overhead compartments opened it just seemed cavernous the amount of room there was between the tops of the seats and the cabin roof.

Rainbow lighting during boarding operations.

THE WINDOW!

The interior is kitted out in the thin seats of a multi-flight domestic service setting. The seats don't actually recline; the seat bottoms just slide forward which if you're a Western-sized person means your knees simply jam into the seat in front of you. But considering my flight was only an hour and five minutes it didn't seem to be an issue. The biggest improvement of all for me was the size of the windows. They're a full 19 inches tall and electronically dimmable with just the push of a button. It does alter the white balance a bit but it is easily corrected and man oh man that view is just something else. Our flight was quite smooth and way too short (something I rarely think).

Preparing for yet another load of awe-struck passengers at Tokyo Haneda airport.

After touchdown at Tokyo Haneda airport it took little time to get everyone off the aircraft which was 150+ people as I believe the flight was nearly full. Again, hooked up to the jet way she didn't look gigantic but very well proportioned. I have been spoiled I fear, it will be tough to ever fly on anything less than a Dreamliner again!

Hyakuri Air Base- a photographer's guide

One of the holy grail locations for aviation photography has got to be Hyakuri Air Base north-east of Tokyo, Japan. Over the past few months I've been lucky enough to have visited twice so I thought I'd give you my impressions and some tips if you're able to skip across the Pacific to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Hyakuri Air Base (pronounced hee-YAK-oo-ree) was originally an Imperial Japanese Navy holding from seized farm lands dating back to 1938. World War II's conclusion saw the lands being worked again by local farmers until 1956 when the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces took control. Many farmers refused to sell their land to the government which is the reason for the unique dog-leg taxi way (more below).

Today, Hyakuri is home to a plethora of flying aircraft. The 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron flies the F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, the 305th Tactical Fighter Squadron flies the F-15J Eagle. The 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flies RF-4E and RF-4EJ Phantom IIs and all three squadrons also have attached T-4 trainer aircraft. Hyakuri Air Rescue Wing flies UH-60H Blackhawks as well as the U-125A search and rescue aircraft. There is a limited amount of transient traffic from what I can gather.

The "shooting towers" at Hyakuri are the result of local farmers refusing to give up their land to the Japanese Government and home to one of the most unique photography locations I have ever encountered (providing a bit of income for the farmers as well). Currently there are four towers built in two different locations. Constructed of wood and some with metal ladders they can easily hold 6-8 photographers with big lenses as some of the regulars will often bring small stepladders making two rows. There is ample room along the surrounding fence lines as well for those who choose to bring ladders. The two towers I have photographed from are in this area of land that was never relinquished to the government. So, when the airfield expansion was built, it forced a dog leg to be built into the course (the link will open a Google map and you can clearly see the kink in the taxi way ). 

Entrance to the shooting tower location with phone number to call

Two of the four shooting towers, these are at the "elbow" in the taxi way dog-leg

UH-60J 98-4569 does a slow taxi past the towers at photographer level

Entrance to the towers is gained by calling a phone number on the gate (not before 0715 local time please) and a very nice lady will arrive in short order, take your ¥2000 entrance fee and have you sign a form. I have no idea what the form says. There is parking inside for 8-12 vehicles as well as a small Tori gate and shrine. PLEASE NOTE: the towers are monitored by CCTV and more than likely if you don't look like a local the JASDF Security Police will show up. Why they bother with me I'll never know since I fit in so well here in Japan. The have a standardized list of questions (How long are you here? Where do you come from? etc.) and will ask to see your passport which they will photograph or you can provide a copy for them to keep. They will also photograph you so try to look nice. They are very courteous and I have never had the slightest hint of trouble with them. If you are going to photograph from multiple locations tell them and later patrols will just smile and wave.

For photographing at Hyakuri I take two camera bodies: a Canon 40D with a 24-105mm f4 L IS and a 7D with the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS. Both are 1.6 crop factor bodies. Here are some representative images with the focal lengths noted.

24-105mm @ 50mm, minimal crop for composition on 1.6 crop factor body

100-400mm @ 220mm no crop on 1.6 crop factor body

USMC McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet 165410 VK-01 from VMFA(AW)-121 Green Knights 100-400mm @ 380mm 15% crop for composition on 1.6 crop-factor body

As the twin runways are a 03/21 orientation the towers are great photographing locations in the morning with progressively worsening lighting conditions as the day wears on. Aircraft that are scheduled to fly for the day are parked on the ramp outside the hangars so you can quickly see what you have a very good chance to see in the air. The runway closest to the towers is for military use and the far runway mainly utilized by a small amount of commercial traffic (Spring Airlines A320 and Skymark Airlines B737) although I was treated to a twin landing by two JASDF Phantoms while photographing from the north-west fence line once. A curious note; when the Chinese-based Spring Airlines Airbus is close to arriving all the hangar doors at Hyakuri will be closed and things will get pretty quiet. The doors will not re-open until the aircraft has left.

U-turn after back-taxi on the civilian runway from the "arming & approach" point on the map

Skymark Airlines Boeing 737-86N JA73NF from the Orchard location on the map

On the opposite side of the air field are three locations to photograph from. One is a little north of the terminal with a long fence line favored by the masses and nestled near some orchards (very nice in the summer). Fences at Japanese bases are shorter than the American style Cyclone fencing so a 4-step ladder will do you fine.

 F-4EJ Kai 97-8425 of 302th Tactical Fighter Squadron from the Orchard location on the map

Another spot is at the northern edge of the runway which can be good for the Phantoms dropping the chutes. I have not seen a departure from this end in my two visits so no info regarding that aspect.


Lastly there's the other end (southern end) of the runway for some great late-afternoon arrival opportunities as well as some decent arming area sights with a long enough lens. The arming area is slightly below the level of the runway so if you're picky about the tires being all the way in the shot just realize that it ain't going to happen. Civilian aircraft use this closer runway but without a taxi way they back-taxi affording a nice opportunity for turning images.

Taxi to takeoff from the arming area on south end of runway, 100-400 + 1.4x II @ 560mm

F-15J 42-8828 leaving the arming area on south end of runway, 100-400 + 1.4x II @ 560mm

 U-125A (BAe.125) 22-3020 of Hyakuri Rescue Wing from the south runway end

Now if you want to try and get some "breaking" photos you go to what my friends refer to as a "gambler's field" called such because if they break early you can get a real nice image and if they break late you get, well.... mostly trees.


So there, in a nutshell, is Hyakuri Air Base/Ibaraki Airport northeast of Tokyo, Japan. 


Looking to license images for your website or publication? Aviation and travel images by James O'Rear available for licensing can be viewed here.

Iruma AB airshow 2011

Iruma Air Base is part of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces organization and home to YS-11, T-4 and T-1 aircraft. Originally an airfield established by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force until the end of World War II when it was taken over by Allied Forces and renamed Johnson AFB. It operated as a US base until 1962 when it reverted to JASDF control with USAF support units, completely coming under JASDF control in 1978.

Iruma AB is the host to the most popular airshow in Japan due to the close proximity to the population of Tokyo. Upwards of a quarter-million people enter and surround the base during the show. My Japanese friend suggested we perch outside the perimeter fence near the south end of the runway which gave us a nice view of the action. The weather wasn't the best but new aircraft in ANY light is always a delight.

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki T-4 Blue Impulse demo team at Iruma AB, Japan

Mid-field break by Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries C-1 18- 1031 and 78-1023 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force U-125 (BAe.125) 39-3042 of Flight Check Squadron

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force NAMC YS-11FC 52-1151 of Flight Check Squadron

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki T-4  3-ship 06-5650 56-5736 and 96-5776 from Shien Hikotai

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries C-1 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki T-4 96-5621 from Shien Hikotai

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki T-4 06-5650 and 96-5776 from Shien Hikotai

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries C-1 5-ship formation from the 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries C-1 78-1023 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries C-1 18-1031 flying the colors of the 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries CH-47J 67-4495 of Iruma Herikoputa Kuuyutai

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force U-125A (BAe.125) 22-3020 of Air Rescue Wing- Hyakuri

Crowded perimeter fence at Iruma AB, Japan during the annual air show.

Looking to license images for your website or publication? Aviation and travel images by James O'Rear available for licensing can be viewed here.

Yokota AB Friendship Festival 2011

A small sampling of aircraft on display during the 2-day Friendship Festival held annually at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan. The event is open to the general public and features food and entertainment in addition to military aircraft from both the USA and JSDF branches.

A-10C Warthog 78-0685 of the 25th Fighter Squadron "Assam Draggins" / 51st Fighter Wing Osan AB, Republic of Korea

F-16CJ Viper 92-3886 14th Fighter Squadron “Samurais” / 35h Fighter Wing Misawa AFB, Japan

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Lockheed P-3C Orion 5063 from 3rd Squadron Atsugi AB, Japan

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules 75-1075 of the 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron at Komaki AB, Japan

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F-2 03-8555 from 3rd Squadron at Misawa AB, Japan

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries C-1 78-1023 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron at Iruma AB, Japan

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Northrup Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 54-3458 of the Airborne Early Warning Group Misawa AB, Japan

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Kawasaki Heavy Industries OH-6D 31220 of Eastern Army Aviation Group Tachikawa Airfield, Japan

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 54-3458 of the Airborne Early Warning Group Misawa AB, Japan

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Boeing E-767 84-3504 Air Warning Control Squadron Hamamatsu Air Base, Japan

US Air Force Fairchild A-10C Warthog 78-0685 of the 25th Fighter Squadron "Assam Draggins" / 51st Fighter Wing Osan AB, Republic of Korea

Looking to license images for your website or publication? Aviation and travel images by James O'Rear available for licensing can be viewed here.