There is a temporary change in place at Ft Lauderdale at the moment - the main runway 9L/27R is currently undergoing repairs and so the cross runway 13/31 will be in use for the next couple of months. For anyone that knows the spotting areas at Ft Lauderdale, the use of 13/31 is not really good for either the viewing park or the parking garages as they are just too far away and in the warm spring/summer temperatures of Ft Lauderdale, the heat haze is terrible! So, last week I went scouting a new location for the use of this runway and came across a public park that is located on the south of the airport that offers lovely shaded viewing locations, and, more importantly for photographers, some good access to lift off shots from 13 and what will be good arrival shots on 31 should the winds turn that way. Of course, as soon as I found this spot, the next 3 days were terrible weather days - clouds, rain, etc, but, at least I now have a decent location for the use of this runway configuration, and here are a few shots from that spot....
This Southwest B737 was up way early - probably a short-ish flight and a low load....
This US Airways B734 got a decent run down the runway, lifting off just in front of terminal 3 - home to American and jetBlue.
The B738's always seem to roll a lot longer - this Delta B738 was the longer roll of the two I shot - unfortunately, neither was the SkyTeam color scheme that I am looking for.....
This American B738 was the long roll of the photo session for me - off to Chicago with a pretty good load I can guess as she rolled and lifted just before the piano keys at the end of the runway..
Hopefully there will be some more trips to this location over the next couple of months while it is in use - I really like the different angles with the airport in the background compared to the usual shots from the viewing park and parking garage...
In the meantime, more time spent behind the camera lens....
