The Wandering Disciple

Sarasota, Florida: When I was first introduced to planespotting, I began spotting from my local airport. I spend several years spotting from the perimeter of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Life has since taken me further south and I do not get back here much, but today I managed to get airside at SRQ for a little spotting during a trip up to Sarasota.  During my time here, Runway 32 was active and we spotted from the pull-off on the north side of the airport. Here is a look at the aircraft we saw during our visit.  N96TE - Cessna Citation Excel   N278NV - Airbus A320 (Allegiant Air)   N284NV - Airbus A320 (Allegiant Air)   N291NV - Airbus A320 (Allegiant Air)   N297WN - Boeing 737-700 (Southwest Airlines)   N314DU - Airbus A220 (Delta Air Lines)   N351FX - Embraer Phenom 300 (Flexjet)   N536EU - Beechcraft Bonanza   N779VF - Beechcraft King Air 90   N780QS - Bombardier Challenger 350 (Netjets)   N853AC - Cessna ...

An IAI Kfir departs Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to rendezvous with the US Marine Corps over the Gulf of Mexico for a series of dogfights. Operated by Airborne Tactical Advantage, the Kfir operates as an enemy bogey, giving Marine Corp fighters a challenging dogfight to keep their skills sharp.  The Kfir is a Israeli fighter built by Israel Aircraft Industries. The Hebrew name Kfir translates to Lion Cub in English. Over 200 Kfirs were produced and operated by the Israeli Defense Force, Sri Lanka Air Force, Columbia Air Force and even a few for the US Navy as trainers. Today six Kfirs are operated by ATAC as adversary fighters like the one pictured here.  Taken: June 15, 2023 at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (Sarasota, FL)

Sarasota, Florida: I got a JetTip alert for a Qatar Executive flight coming into Sarasota so we headed up north to Sarasota for some quick planespotting. Runway 14 was active at SRQ so we headed to one of my favorite spotting locations located at the dead-end of Somerset Avenue. From here you have a great vantage point of planes on short final to the runway as well as close-up shots of aircraft taxiing to the runway on Taxiway Alpha. Here is a look at what we saw during out quick stop to SRQ:  A7-CGA - Gulfstream G650ER (Qatar Executive)   N191NV - Airbus A320 (Allegiant Air)   N247NV - Airbus A320 (Allegiant Air)   N610PG - Cessna Citation III   N710PT - Cessna Citation III   N787CM - Cessna Citation V   N815AW - Airbus A319 (American Airlines)   N13718 - Boeing 737-700 (United Airlines)   N24715 - Boeing 737-700 (United Airlines)   Click on each aircraft above to be taken to the photos of the plane and be sure to follow Suncoast S...

What a better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than spreading a little LUV at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  Today marked the debut of Southwest Airlines service at SRQ. The LUV airlines will connect Sarasota with four cities initially and expanding to eight in the coming weeks.  Pictured here is the inaugural arrival, Southwest Flight 5353 arriving from Baltimore.  (Photo: February 14, 2021)

When you are flying a mission thousands of miles from home, you can't just pull of the exit and stop for fuel.  Enter the Air Refueling Wing.  With tankers across the globe, the mission of the ARW is extend the range of the US Air Force.  The primary workhorse tankers are the KC-135 Stratotanker and the KC-10 Extender, but recently the KC-46 Pegasus has entered into the mix.  This KC-135 Stratotanker pictured here is from the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard.  (Photo: January 9, 2021)

Sarasota, Florida: Since starting my new position at RSW, I do not make it back to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport that much anymore. After spotting here for over ten years, it been a while since I have spent some time at the airport. Sure I've stopped by to catch a plane here and there but I haven't spotted here for a while. The drawing factor was a KC-135 from the Arizona Air National Guard but I stayed for a while to catch some of SRQ's action.  Here is a look at what I saw today at SRQ:  62-3550 - KC-135 Stratotanker (Arizona Air National Guard)  N52C - Beechcraft Super King Air 200  N68UP - Dassault Falcon 20  N112KD - Beechcraft Bonanza  N171JC - Gulfstream IV  N221NN - Embraer 175 (Envoy Air/American Eagle)  N229NV - Airbus A320 (Allegiant Air)  N235NV - Airbus A320 (Allegiant Air)  N239JB - Embraer 190 (JetBlue Airways)  N285NN - Embraer 175 (Envoy Air/American Eagle)  N327MM - Cessna Citation Excel  ...

Sarasota, Florida:   These week I was on the way up to Lakeland for their holiday air show when I saw the Republic Airways painted Embraer was making a stop at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  So I made a quick pit stop in Sarasota to get a photo of it.  Runway 32 was active so I spotted these two from the parking lot of the kennel club.   Here is a look at what I saw today. N306MF – Bombardier Challenger 300  N401YX – Embraer 175 (Republic Airways) Click on the photo to view these and the rest of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport photo gallery .

Sarasota, Florida: It’s been a while since I have been back to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. While my career took me to RSW, SRQ will always be a special place for me when it comes to spotting as it is where I began my spotting hobby. While I still oversee the SRQ Spotters page on Facebook, it has been way too long since I have been on the flight line at SRQ. So on Saturday as I was in town grabbing a bite to eat on the way to Tampa, we decided to take it to go and eat along the fence at SRQ.  While it was pretty quiet, it was still nice to be back. Here is a look at what we saw today at SRQ:  N163BF - Eurcocopter EC-135 (AirLife)  N515QS - Cessna Citation Latitude  N24736 - Boeing 737-700 (United Airlines)  Click on the photo above to view these and the rest of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport photo gallery.

The command vehicle of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Fire-Rescue sits on display during the 2017 SCFD Open House.  This SUV becomes a mobile command center any time the fire department face a major incident and allows the incident commander a platform to be able to control the incident and manage his resources.  SRQ Fire-Rescue is responsible for the fire & emergency services for the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport ranging from aircraft emergencies on the airfield to medical emergencies in the terminal and even providing mutual aid to surrounding departments.  (Photo: October 7, 2017)

Vice President Joe Biden steps off Air Force Two in Sarasota, Florida during the 2016 presidential election race. Then Vice President, Biden was in town to render support for Democratic hopefully Hillary Clinton as she bid for the White House. Fast forward to 2020 and Biden will be in the campaign trail once again, this time as the Democratic nominee for President. (Photo: October 3, 2016)

The Boeing 737 Max 8 performs test flights at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in April 2016. The Boeing Max program has been grounded for months as engineers try and resolved problems with the flight computer. While the aircraft did not experience any problem while testing in Sarasota, the entire fleet remains grounded until further notice. (Photo: April 18, 2016)

Sarasota, Florida: After taking a position with the fire department at neighboring Southwest Florida International Airport, I have not been back to my home airport Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in quite some time. This weekend I found myself in Sarasota and made a stop by SRQ. Runway 14 was active and I went to my usual spot near the approach end of 14 and spent about an hour photographing movements. Here is a look at what I saw today: N107PF – Cessna Skylane  N166SA – Beechcraft Super King Air 300   N167TV – Gulfstream IV  N188RW – Piper Malibu Mirage  N324DX – Airbus A321 (Delta Air Lines)  N374NW – Airbus A320 (Delta Air Lines)  N384SH – Cessna Citation Excel  N395ZA – L-39 Albatros   N407YX – Embraer 175 (Republic Airways/American Eagle)  N424FX – Embraer Legacy 450  N424TP – Piper Saratoga  N643RW – Embraer 170 (Republic Airways/United Express)  N663AW – Airbus A320 (American Air...

For 343 brave firefighters from the New York City Fire Department, tomorrow would never come. They gave all in defense of the city and to try and rescue the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They ran in when every sense in their body told them to stay out. They lost their lives giving everything they had to the city that day and we must never forget them and all the heroes of 9/11. To honor these heroes, JetBlue pays tribute to them with the "Blue's Bravest" aircraft, a daily memorial to those that gave their life on that day. (Photo: November 10, 2014)

As millions of Americans kissed their loved ones good night on September 10, 2001, they never knew that the world would forever change in the morning. 23 of NYPD's finest would never see their families again when they headed in to shift in the morning. To honor their memory, JetBlue flies "Blue's Finest" a tribute to the brave police officers that would lose their life serving the Big Apple. (Photo: June 21, 2018)

An osprey flies high over the lakes near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Ospreys can be seen in coastal areas flying over lakes looking for their next meal earning the nickname fish hawk. Ospreys can be found on all continents of the world with the exception of Antarctica. (Photo: April 11, 2012)

Vice President Joe Biden waves from the armored limo during a visit to the Suncoast in 2012. The Vice President made two trips to Sarasota during his time in office, this overnight trip in 2012 and then again in 2016. The Suncoast is always a hot spot for political visits leading up to elections. (Photo: October 30, 2012)

Sarasota, Florida:   Caught a few hours of arrival traffic today at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  The winds favored Runway 14 in use so I chose a spot at the approach side of Runway 14 near Erickson Marine.  This location at the dead-end of Somerset provide a great view of arrival traffic as well as some up close taxi views for the departing aircraft.  Here is a look at what I saw today: Piper Cherokee - N9614C   Bombardier Challenger 300 - N874WD   Airbus A319 - N310NV Cirrus Vision Jet - N348MW    Boeing 737-900 - N27477   Cessna Citation Excel - N632XL   Embraer Phenom 300 - N427QS   Airbus A320 - N547JB   McDonnell Douglas MD-88 - N947DL   Airbus A319 - N810AW   Embraer 175 - N429YX   Robinson R-44 - N60FM   Airbus A319 - N820UA McDonnell Douglas MD-88 - N983DL  

Airplanes aren't the only thing found soaring over the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  The lakes around the airfield are great fishing holes for the Ospreys that reside in and around the airport.  (Photo: April 11, 2012)

The airfield at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is busy during the lunch time rush.  The airport helps passengers in the Sarasota region connect with cities throughout the United States and Canada.  (Photo: September 6, 2012)

A little show of military force at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport during a VIP visit in 2012. With Vice President Biden arriving in town in the evening, the afternoon skies over the airport were busy with military action. A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III carrying the motorcade sat quietly on the ramp while a US Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk and a C-130 Hercules practiced touch and go landings on the runway just before a arrival of a C-40 Clipper operated by the US Navy and ultimately Air Force Two a little later in the day. (Photo: October 30, 2012)