Florida trip 2008

Back to Florida on what looks to be an annual event. An easy run to Heathrow thanks to old chum Peter who got me to Terminal 3 before 06:30. Brian turned up so we checked in with American for their flight 57 to Miami. Long queues through security but they move along fairly swiftly.

Wanted to register with IRIS (Iris Recognition Immigration System) but had to wait until the office opened at 08:00. This one-off 10 minute job means that I won't have to wait in the passport queues whenever I return to the UK. See http://www.iris.gov.uk/ for more info.

We boarded B777 N754AN and pushed back at 09:53 for our 09:45 flight so again quite punctual. We were airborne off 27L at 10:14. Uneventful flight which I guess is always the best kind. After 9 hours and 5 minutes (1 minute shorter than last year) we landed on runway 9L at Miami International and headed for stand E21.

Entry formalities were completed and we headed for our hire car. Alamo was used this year and a more conservative vehicle was waiting for us.

Very quickly in to the old routine and heading along NW36 Street. Our first encounter with the 'paranoia' resulted in our picture being taken while we were looking at the biz. This was Doug who works for Signature who has been instructed to take pictures of everyone taking tail numbers. I expect he has quite a collection by now. The rest of the afternoon was spent here. Again, mainly American Al. but 3 new Gulfstream frames meant I was off to a good start.

Same hotel as last year (Ramada Plaza at Fort Lauderdale) so no problems navigating. The day finished at our usual haunt (Denny's at Margate) followed by a trip round Wal-Mart's where we each bought a set of steps ($26.99 plus tax) which we found invaluable for the trip.

Wednesday - started at our local Fort Lauderdale Exec. Still think this is one of my favourite fields as there's always old Gulfstreams sitting here. A pair of G2s needed their picture taken so a request at an adjacent office resulted in "help yourself" which aren't words you hear too often in this game.

Where else can you see a sight like this?

Off to Ft Lauderdale Hollywood for the rest of the day. Still plenty of roads blocked around the field due roadworks but reached the spectators area promptly. Aviation changes here since last year are Jetblue EMB-190s and Skybus A-320s. Still plenty of biz here.

Thursday - down to Miami first thing for a look round but things didn't go to plan when we were stopped and asked what we were doing. The reply received a "you can't do that" so we were 'invited' in to the Customs and Immigration office and our identities were checked. An hour and a half later, hands were shaken and the only thing we were told when I quizzed what we should or should not do was to "stay this side of the fence". The final question to us was "Have you ever been to Milwaukee?" which made me laugh but that's another story.

Decided after a while to go on to Ft Lauderdale for the rest of the day. A highlight was a Sunwing B738 (C-FTJH). Movements here can depend on cruise ship timetables but there's always plenty happening here.

Friday - usually a good day to visit Palm Beach so that's what we did. The steps are useful here as cuts out the top of the fence from your pictures. No hassle this year in the viewing area but most of us now know to stay away from the fence. Pages of biz and a good number of liners. On the way home (in the dark) we stopped off at Boca Raton for a first ever visit. Had heard they weren't very friendly here so didn't loiter but it probably helped it was raining. Fairly busy here.

Saturday - Miami for the day with most time spent round by cargo where there are holes in the fence for photographers. United Wombles (E170s) were new this year and a Mexicana A-318 was among the many South Americans here. During the afternoon, it started to rain and when it rains in Florida, it chucks it down.

the viewing area at Miami (or is it the swimming pool?)

Sunday - another day at Palm Beach and met up with Gavin here. Loads of biz as always but interesting to note that nearly a third of my new 'numbers' were airliners. You have to be here early to catch the Frontier 319 departing and you only leave when it gets dark. Air Canada used an EMB-175 today and my first United CRJ-700 appeared as the light was fading. Only noted 45 different Netjets here today.

Monday - Started at Ft Lauderdale before following Gavin to Opa Locka. Started round by the side of the runway to look across to see what could be seen. Timed it well as based G550 N51MF arrived. The old Antonovs are still here as are a couple of DC-3s. Just before leaving, a US Coast Guard Falcon 20 was seen being towed out of their hangar. Onwards to Miami where a few nice biz fell in the book. Left Brian here to take some pictures while I went off to Tamiami with Gavin. This was my first ever visit to this field and a few interesting bits were seen. Venezuelan registered types seen were Gulfstream 2, Citation 550, Antonov 26 and 28. Managed to get us out on the ramp as the G2 was my main target here. A Dominican Turbolet was also nice. A smattering of biz here and we only just saw that a G550 had arrived so we had to return to the central area where I managed to get myself on to the ramp again for some pics. Everybody friendly here. Back to Miami for the rest of the day.

Tuesday - Started at our local (Exec) where the highlight was a Brazilian Sovereign (PR-HLW). From there, down the road to Lauderdale where it was a bit quiet even though a Mexican G4 turned out to be a good frame for me (XA-RCM). Left here about 10:30 and headed back north to Palm Beach. Stopped off at Boca Raton and managed to find the vantage point at the back of the adjacent university campus. Day Jet Eclipse 500s bolstered the log but this little field gets quite busy at times. Onwards to Palm Beach which was also a bit quiet. A chance encounter with a local helicopter pilot found me doing a ramp tour while he showed off his S-76.

Weather not the greatest this afternoon so didn't stay until last light this time and headed home in a downpour. Had eased off by the time we were approaching Boca so stopped off round the back until last light. Noted 6 movements during this spell including a based G3 coming home.

Wednesday - Forecast for today was wet and they were right. Boy, were they right! Decided the best place to stay was on the car park at Lauderdale (landing on westerlies anyway) as we had a chance of some shelter. Made a pigs ear of finding the right car park but eventually got it right. The rain was torrential and at times movements came to a complete halt. Improved by mid afternoon and when the sun came out, the biz poured in.

Thursday - Started the day at Miami which at least meant a decent breakfast (Denny's). Filling in the gaps in the American fleet and the many freighters here. Got restless about 11:00 and moved up to Fort Lauderdale which is becoming one of our favourite fields. The usual load of airliners here with the odd exotic biz in between. Several Mexicans arrived and the day ended with us searching out Westwind HR-PHO.

Friday - The last full day of the trip and being a Friday, it had to be Palm Beach for the biz. 105 new numbers here of which a mere 84 were biz (31 were Netjets though). US Aw graced us with their 2 Star Alliance 319s and the PSA coloured one. Stayed in the viewing area until last light and contributed our steps to a surprised local in a white van. On the way home, we had a last quick look round Boca Raton in the dark where yet another Netjets made the log.

Saturday - A last good look around Exec where highlights for me were Toyota's G5 and G4. Star though must be G1 N789G which had arrived since our last visit. A run down to FLL was next where another 25 numbers went in the book. The Air Canada A320 in 65th anniversary colours was nice and was caught in the lens. Left here at about 10:30 to see what was at Miami before returning the car.

I still can't get over how much biz uses Miami. Nearly cleared the American Al. heavies here although left needing a single A-300 and a 737-800. The car was returned with just over 1000 miles since we picked it up. The usual scrum checking in for flight 182 followed by my first beer of the trip. This year the flight was nearly on time and we had the opportunity to see what was in cargo as we went out on the southern runway. Only took 7 hours and 1 minute on B777 N782AN this year landing at Heathrow on 09L at 06:46.

Same again next year? Yes, please.

Pics at http://www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1460397.html