Landing an aircraft elegantly is an art form in energy management and hand-eye coordination.  And like good art, every landing is a little bit different.

April 13, 2003:  A landing on Jackson's runway 6 as seen from the back seat of the Decathlon.  Considering my vantage point, it may appear that the Decathlon must be flying sideways and, in fact, it is.  With the left wing down and the application of right rudder (called a "slip"), we sank toward the runway sideways, becoming much less aerodynamic in the process.  For an aircraft without flaps like the Decathlon, this serves as a convenient means to increase vertical descent rate on final approach without increasing forward airspeed.

May 2, 2003:  Decathlon 68W landing on one of the short runways at Kalamazoo on a beautiful spring day.  I shot this one over Dave's right shoulder from the backseat of the Decathlon.

June 29, 2003:  Dave and Scott Savett return from a quick aerobatic flight.  This picture shows the Decathlon a few moments before a perfect three-point landing on the grass at South Haven.

September 17, 2003:  A slipping approach to land the Decathlon on the grass at South Haven.

October 9, 2003:  The Decathlon on short final for landing on Kalamazoo's runway 17, a piece of pavement that is over one mile long.  Over on the taxiway near the top of the frame is the regional jet that landed before us.  The Air Zoo is in the upper right hand corner with several airplanes from the collection out on the ramp as museum staff began rearranging aircraft in preparation for opening the New Air Zoo in spring 2004.  This was shot over Dave's shoulder from the back seat.

December 7, 2003:  A Super Cub (right-hand middle of frame) on extremely short final for runway 27 at Dalton in Flushing, MI. We were on downwind for 27 as the Cub made its landing.  When we arrived, several other aircraft were parked on the grass at the end of the paved runway; other pilots taking in a late Sunday breakfast at Gabby's. 

October 9, 2004:  Dave clears the trees on short final for South Haven's runway 32.

January 30, 2005:  Dave and Kent on short final for runway 4 at South Haven.  The steam in the background is from the nearby Pallisades nuclear power plant.

November 23, 2006:  A Turkey Day homecoming.  My first landing near my childhood home of Clarkston, MI was at Oakland County International (which most people still refer to as "the Pontiac airport").  Up until now, Kalamazoo (MI) and Page Field (Fort Myers, FL) were the busiest airports I had ever visited.  Per AirNav, both average around 250 operations per day.  At 670 operations per day, Pontiac counts as a much busier airport and its website boasts that it is the sixth busiest general aviation airport in the United States.  PTK serves as home base for private pilots, training fleets, and corporate aircraft for metro-Detroit businesses.  It was a very active and vibrant place, even on Thanksgiving day!  This photo was taken by Kristy.

September 16, 2007:  Kristy's perspective of our base to final turn for runway 32 at Lake Placid.  Even before exiting the taxiway, the Unicom operator asked us if they should call the Trolley to take us into town.  I barely had the Warrior's wheels chocked before the Trolley appeared in the parking lot.  Now, THAT'S what I call service!

March 3, 2008:  I decided to fly into Rochester for some pattern work under the watchful eye of the tower.  Because I do not visit towered airports routinely, I fly in to Rochester from time to time just to stay practiced.  Fortunately, the Rochester airport has a tradition of flight training established long before the word "International" was tacked onto its name; controllers there are very accommodating of VFR aircraft.  Here I am on final approach for Runway 28 with a plow truck apparently holding short for take off.  It may appear that I am on short final for a relatively small runway.  Don't be fooled; this runway is 5500' long and 150' wide.