Plane Spotting in Las Vegas

moose135

I was out in Las Vegas for a business conference last week, and found time for some plane spotting at McCarran Airport. There are a few good spots at the airport, maybe the best being the terminal parking deck - when the Air Traffic Control gods like you, they send departures out on Runway 1R - which provides a unique background...

1 - Southwest 737 departs with the Luxor Casino in the background.



2 - Janet 737 departing, one of six operated by the US Air Force. They are used to fly employees from LV to Tonopah and other "secret squirrel" locations in the desert.



3 - The casino business is good - Las Vegas Sands 747SPs used to fly "whales" to their properties in the US and Asia.



4 - Omni Air 767 under the watchful eyes of David Copperfield. Hope he doesn't make it disappear!



5 - The High Roller Ferris wheel, at 550 feet the tallest in the world, with a Southwest 737.



6 - Hawaii or Las Vegas? Choices, choices...



7 - Another Southwest 737, wearing new colors.



8 - Allegiant Air is based in Las Vegas, and has a major operation at the airport.

David_S85

Those backgrounds are great!

Sam

These are really good! Great perspective and background.

Sam

Stumblebum

Yeah background totally kills it!

GSPeP

Great picures Really special with those backgrounds.

Thelensspot

Very nicely done. I agree with what has already been said regarding the backgrounds. Great work here!

Cavalier

What they said - and I enjoyed the narrative along with the photos.

denisegoldberg

fabulous!

--- Denise

moose135

Thanks, folks! It was my first time shooting in Vegas, and weather and ATC certainly cooperated.

Richard

^^ What they said.

CCoop

Gotta love how the telephoto compresses fore- and background elements! I was sure #1 was a fake! And I would say #2 and #6 are most appealing to me with the stark mountains as background.

Travel

What lens were you using?

z_28

Very nice, I'm simply jealous :^#

BTW - since it's about 1.5 mile from your spot to Sphinx -
what kind of business conference's camera and lens did you used ??

FlyNavy

Excellent work as always Moose!

moose135

Thanks! I brought my own gear - Canon 5D3 with the 100-400mm L/IS lens, all in my carry-on.