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Editor’s note: This is the latest installment in our weekly series called simply the “Friday photo.” Each week we’ll share a great photo taken from the cockpit – one that shares the joy, beauty or fun of flying. If you’d like to join in, send your photo and description (using the format below) to: [email protected]

sullivans first air-to-air 600px

The view:  This pic was taken during a formation flight on a summer evening over Lake Red Rock, near the Pella Municipal Airport in Pella, Iowa.

The photographer: Sullivan Vande Voort, Age 6. This is literally Sullivan’s first air-to-air photo.  While flying formation with the Meyers I handed him my iPhone and the first time he squeezed the button this is the result. Sullivan has been a great flying companion since day one, which is a real blessing for me as a pilot/FBO operator. Sullivan’s little brother, Meyer (20 months), who was in the child seat on this flight, is also turning out to be a very good flyer as well.

The pilots: Myself, Shane Vande Voort from Pella, Iowa in the Cessna 120. Jim Jones from Newton, Iowa in the Meyers OTW.

The airplanes: The photo ship is our 1947 Cessna 120 (some may notice the flap in the photo, yes it has 140 wings that were installed years ago, making it a 140 with a 120 dataplate, possibly a 130). The biplane in the photo is Jim Jones’ Meyers OTW. It is a beautiful machine but especially so to me since our shop recovered it this past year.

The memory: After a long summer day at the FBO the boys and I decided to go for a late evening airplane ride. Jim had stopped by to talk and we agreed to fly a little formation as he left the area. Sullivan was very excited about the view out his window and I gave him my iPhone to take a picture. The result is an uncropped picture that to me that shows the joy of flying old airplanes, flying with friends and family, and the beauty of flying in Iowa in the summer.

Shane Vande Voort
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4 replies
  1. Dave Sandidge
    Dave Sandidge says:

    Quiescent. I can almost see the two ships fading away on the distant summer horizon – rumbling engines growing fainter across the meadow – as the lightning bugs and katydids once again take center stage. Nice way to end the week, Shane.

  2. Joel Godston
    Joel Godston says:

    REALLY nice! Keep up the GREAT ‘job’ of providing OUTSTANDING photographs provided by some very talented photographers

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