The Wandering Disciple

Sun Country Airlines departs the Sunshine State as it takes off from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on a sunny Floridian winter day.  Not an airline that usually services SRQ, Sun Country pops into Sarasota on occasion to operated a casino charter flight to Biloxi.  (Photo: January 9, 2017)

Today we made our weekly trip to the beach at South Brohard Park and while my wife and son looked for shells and sharks teeth, I watched the air traffic into Venice Municipal Airport.  Here is a snap shot of what we saw today: Cessna Skyhawk - N655PD Piper Cherokee - N2914B Ultravia Pelican Sport 600 - N25881  Robinson R-22 - N80407  Cirrus SR-22 - N169DW Bell 407 - N911VS Cessna 310 - N5794M Cessna Skyhawk - N71FC  Cirrus SR-20 - N349CD 

When this pig flies, the tropics are in turmoil and someone is under the gun for a dangerous tropical cyclone. Miss Piggy is a P-3 Orion flown by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aircraft Operations division based at MacDill Air Force Base. The aircraft more commonly known as a Hurricane Hunter flies into the heart of tropical systems to gather data to help determine the path and intensity of storms, helping the staff at the National Hurricane Center make informed forecasts that help save lives and protect property.

A T-38 Talon operated by NASA departs Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. NASA uses their fleet of Talons for astronaut training as well as chase planes for the shuttle program. The T-38 program is operated at Ellington Field in Houston. (Photo: January 15, 2016)

A United Airbus A320 awaits departure at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  United operates several flights a day from SRQ, serving Chicago and Newark.  (Photo: January 4, 2016)

A UPS cargo plane disappears into the fog as a dense early morning fog blankets Southwest Florida International Airport.  (Photo: December 16, 2015)

This United Airways aircraft was painted in the Blue Skyway livery to celebrate the airlines 75th Anniversary and to pay tribute to the airlines Continental Airlines heritage. (Photo: December 8, 2015)

An Air Berlin flight touches down at Southwest Florida International Airport after a long flight from Germany. Air Berlin provides a daily flight to Southwest Florida from their hub in Duffelsdorf. (Photo: July 30, 2015)

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will be bringing their Round-Engine Aircraft Ride Event (RARE) to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on February 5 through 8. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly aboard not one but two historic aircraft, A Ford-Tri-Motor and a B-17 Flying Fortress. They will be offering rides on both aircraft during their visit as well as ground tours of the B-17. The tour is sponsored by the EAA Chapter 188. Tickets and more info about the event can be found on their website . Check back later for photos from the event.

Take a look out the window as our Comair CRJ-200 flies high above the clouds during a flight in 2004.  The view out the window is amazing and one of my favorite things about flying.  This photo comes from the first leg of our journey from Harrisburg to Atlanta.  (Photo: May 1, 2004)

A Mig 23 is towed for service at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Manufactured by Mikoyan-Gurevich, the Mig 23 entered into service in 1967. It was primarily used by the Soviet Air Force and has seen action throughout Asia and Africa. (Photo: September 22, 2014)

An AV-8B Harrier II from the US Marine Corps sits on static display at the Florida International Air Show. The Harrier is best know for its ability to take of vertically and hover, much like a helicopter. It is produced by McDonnell Douglas and entered into service in 1985. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

A Southwest Airlines flight touches down at Tampa International Airport. I am in the process of updating a couple hours of aviation photos from a visit to Tampa International yesterday. Be sure to follow the aviation page of Donten Photography to see all of my aviation photography. (Photo: September 13, 2014)

The US Airways "Piedmont Pacemaker" heritage plane sits at the gate at Reagan National Airport. The plane is a flying tribute to Piedmont Air which was founded in 1962 and purchased by US Air in 1987. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

An Airbus A320 operated by Air Canada Jetz approaches Orlando International Airport.  Air Canada Jetz is a premium charter service for Air Canada.  Operating a fleet of six aircraft, Jetz provides charter service for Canadian sports teams, musician, corporations and more.  (Photo: February 12, 2013)

A SB2C Helldiver flies through the smoke of a simulated bombing attack during the 2013 Florida International Air Show. This Helldiver operated by the West Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is the only flying Helldiver in the world. It saw action with the US Navy from 1945 through 1948. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Scott "Scooter" Yoak pilots the P-51 Mustang "Quick Silver" through the skies at the 2013 Florida International Air Show. Quick Silver pays tribute to the Armed Forces through it's symbolic paint scheme. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Dr. Joseph Masessa performs in his OV-1 Mohawk during the 2013 Florida International Air Show. The OV-1 Mohawk was developed by Grumman and saw action during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Originally designed to be used by the US Army as a light attack aircraft, the Mohawk was later developed into a spy plane. Dr. Masessa's flies his Mohawk in the only aerobatic routine in the world. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

An AV-8B Harrier II from the US Marine Corps sits on static display at the 2013 Florida International Airshow. The Harrier is a ground attack aircraft produced by McDonnell Douglas and is well known for its ability to hover. This Harrier is from the Marine Attack Squadron based at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

An experimental Savannah VG aircraft departs Buchan Airport. The Savannah VG is a kit aircraft produced in Italy and distributed in the United States by ICP. (Photo: October 13, 2012)