backcountry

Friday Photo: Backcountry Airstrip

Precision flying in the backcountry can be important.  Thankfully, Byrds provides plenty of room for practicing precision.  The runway is long, the go around is forgiving, and the scenery is spectacular.  Just check the DA before you go in heavy.  There was plenty of runway, but I was spending the day trying not to waste any under my tires as I was working on spot landings.
salt lake

Friday Photo: The Color of Salt

Cruising toward Ogden on a smooth afternoon, I noticed the Great Salt Lake take on an unexpected shade of purple beneath me. The sun, the salt, and the sky seemed to blend together in a way I’d never seen before.

Friday Photo: Aeroshell at AirVenture

It was my first trip back to AirVenture in a long time.  Watching the airshow with my wife and tens of thousands of others who love all that Oshkosh provides.  The Aeroshell Team was and is one of my favorites.  The sounds of the radial engines, the massive amount of smoke, and the precision flying form an aerial ballet that touches my soul.
barnegat light

Friday Photo: Barnegat Light and Lighthouse

An evening slow flight over Ocean County barrier island in New Jersey at 1,200 feet. Excellent weather, no winds, and CAVU environment with the Barnegat Inlet and summer boaters below in the Barnegat Bay.
classics

Friday Photo: Classics, Old and New

Twelve days without flying is hard on the psyche. Finally, a break in the rains allowed me to hop up in the cub. My buddy, Brady, reached out, and we connected on the air to air frequency. He had to drag everything to slow to cub speeds for a brief interlude in the sky. An original classic with a new model based on a classic, made for a memorable encounter.
ifr

Friday Photo: IFR Over Saginaw, Michigan

Crusing at 13,000 feet between layers and around columns, we were enjoying 200+ knots over the ground in smooth air with some gorgeous views.
reflections

Friday Photo: Reflections

I had been out of the Cub for a while, so I was itching to get up for a flight.  Sometimes, the sole purpose of the flight is to fly.  And, this was such an occasion.  Finally, the spring skies cleared, the cross winds faded, and I could get up in the cub.  There was no plan for Mother Nature to put on the show that she did, but calm winds, a calm lake, and a few clouds provided the scenery in which I was in desperate need.
doc

Friday Photo: B-29 Superfortress Cockpit

My family was invited to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (KWRI) for family day to get a preview of their annual Power in the Pine Airshow. Unbeknownst to us, Doc was on the ramp and they were prepping for the show. We walked over and the Doc team immediately asked my son, "Do you want a tour of the inside?" My 8-year old son enthusiastically exclaimed "Yes!"

Friday Photo: Stearman

Its hard to have a better time than exploring AirVenture with a camera on a beautiful summer day.  The aircraft make the most beautiful subjects and the EAA grounds combined with the Wisconsin skies make for beautiful backgrounds.
thunderbirds

Friday Photo: Thunderbirds

This was at the recent Power in the Pines 2025 Airshow where JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst opens its doors to the public for free (yes, tax dollars at work) and hosts a spectacular airshow. This year the headlining act were none other than the USAF Thunderbirds!
Articles by Chris Schaich

Friday Photo: Glimpse of Gold

I was doing a walk around when this 737 taxied by. The golden light was quite stunning as the sun nestled into the horizon.  This particular aircraft is painted as "Missouri 1” but the livery that started the airline was called "Desert Gold”.
new york city skyline

Friday Photo: New York City Skyline

The mission was to fly from Martin State Airport (KMTN) to Monmouth Executive Airport KBLM to refuel and then up to the New York City Skyline Tour. I'll never forget being able to fly at 1500’ altitude along the skyscrapers, seeing the memorial of the twin towers, circle around the Statue of Liberty.
baltimore harbor

Friday Photo: Baltimore Harbor at Sunset

I typically fly west of the Washington D.C. area but I decided to fly over the Chesapeake Bay this time. The weather was clear, the ride was smooth, and the sunset view of Baltimore Harbor was absolutely spectacular. This might become my new route of choice when transitioning north/south of the D.C. area.
t-6 texan

Friday Photo: T-6 Low Pass at a Regional Fly-In

The rain finally broke, and the brave at heart finally started arriving at the remote fly-in.  Individuals lined the runway to enjoy planes of all sorts performing fly-bys.  All done for no other reason then to enjoy the machines in their natural environment.  This T-6 kept the radial engine purring and provided a bit of smoke for ambiance.  No one complained.
sunset

Friday Photo: Sunset Over Germany

My friend Peter and I were on our way back from Münster/Osnabrück International Airport (EDDG) to our nearby 750-foot grass strip. We were treated to the stunning view of the summer sun hanging low on the horizon, bathing the landscape in warm, golden light.
airventure cup

Friday Photo: AirVenture Cup Race Fly-Over

My wife and I participated in our second AirVenture Cup.  The Wisconsin mornings proved to strong of a pull to avoid a morning flight.  The event draws many people, and an occasional fly-over for the local fans is encouraged.  So, with an empty pattern and a beautiful sunrise for the backdrop, I was able to grab a quick snapshot of our host airport, Wausau Downtown.
howard 500

Friday Photo: Howard 500

I was doing some work at my hangar and caught a glimpse of a twin-tail plane on final. I didn't see it very well, but thought it would be worth a closer look. I finished up at the hangar and drove over to the Signature ramp, where I beheld this beauty. It was good luck as there are only two of these still flying.
powered parachute

Friday Photo: Fusion Over Mystic Bluffs

Every year pilots are treated to a special fly-in opportunity near Ramah, New Mexico (population 391). Mystic Bluffs Airport (NM56) is a private dirt runway. The Timberlake Ranch Homeowners Association hosts the fly-in and provides breakfast for lucky pilots. The valley, at almost 7,000' MSL, is surrounded by mountains, mesas, canyons and the bluffs. Mystic Bluffs refers to the cliffs west of the valley that look like pink and white layer cake.
JACKSON HOLE AIRPORT

Friday Photo: The Tetons From Jackson Hole Airport (KJAC)

There were a lot of wildfires around, so I’d been flying in smoke for several days.  But when I flew into the Snake River valley at Jackson Hole, it was clear and beautiful.  After landing, this was the view from the GA ramp!
sea of lennies

Friday Photo: Sea of Lennies

It seemed as though they had simply appeared, suddenly surrounding me while I had been entering engine and fuel data in a performance/nav log. Flying above them, it was (eerily) smooth as glass.