Notes on Kite Aerial Photography: Photo Gallery
A somewhat abstract view of the Stearman PT-17
and its shadow (25K jpg).
Sunday
last I drove up to Sonoma Valley, just north of San Francisco
Bay, for a faculty function. I left an hour early thinking I
might sneak in a quick KAP roll. It was a great day for a drive
in the country and as I neared the town of Sonoma I noticed a
pair of biplanes in a small, local airport. Over I pulled and
after a brief discussion with the delightful owners of the
biplane (see the Aeroschellville note a bottom of page) and the
airport manager I'd secured permission to fly the kite at the
airport. I promised to stay low.
My target was the biplanes so I
did not need great height for the job. Up went the Sutton 30 and
after assuring myself it was stable on went the Canon rig. The
breeze was mostly sufficient to loft the camera but on occasion I
would have to land the rig during momentary lapses in the wind.
There was plenty of room on the tarmac so it was easy to control
these ups and downs as I could "create" wind by walking
backwards. The plane owners were patient and trusting as I
hovered my camera near their craft.
The Stearman from a greater height (19K jpg).
The plane in question is a
WWII-vintage trainer -- the Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet biplane.
It is 25 feet long, has a 32-foot wingspan, and sports a single
radial Continental engine rated at 220 horsepower. You see these
planes pulling banners around sporting events and performing
basic aerobatics. They are reminiscent of an era of barnstorming
and must be entertaining to fly.
Oblique views of the PT-17 (37K jpg left, 31K
jpg below left and 31K jpg below right ).
The whole KAP session probably took 30 to 40 minutes. This quick set of photos has piqued my interest and I will probably go back to shoot more. There are other interesting aircraft there too.
An unsolicited commercial
plug:
The operators of Aeroschellville seemed like awfully nice folks
so I thought I would post their business card. It looks like it
would be great fun to take a biplane ride over the scenic Sonoma
vineyards. This seems to run around $100 for a twenty minute
ride. They can accommodate two passengers at a time. Mild
aerobatics are also available as is instruction. If you go, tell
them I sent you.
Aeroschellville, contact Linda Sue Brown, 707-938-2444
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All rights reserved. Revised: Saturday, October 06, 2001
URL:
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