Solar Impulse at Dulles

After many weather delays, the Solar Impulse aircraft finally made its way to Washington Dulles International Airport, landing just before midnight on June 15th, 2013.  It was the 2nd to final stop on its trip across the United States, before a planned 2-seater variant is to attempt a global circumnavigation in 2014. The experimental Swiss aircraft is entirely solar powered, weighting a mere ~3,500lbs (900lbs of which are batteries), has the wingspan of a 747 (almost 200 feet), and has only a single seat for the pilot.  It is powered by four 10-horsepower electric motors, and has a cruise speed of just 37 knots (~43 MPH).

The Solar Impulse moves at extremely slow speeds; for this reason, the FAA only allows it to fly at night, when air traffic is at a minimum.  Nighttime flight is possible with the 900lbs of Lithium-Ion batteries, built into the wings underneath the solar panels that charge them.  From the ground, the Solar Impulse appears to be stationary in mid-air - the LED lights make it look like a UFO.

Media and special guests arrived at Dulles, and awaited the Solar Impulse on the runway.  For most of those present, it was a reality check of how dark an airfield truly is at night, even with the airfield indicator lights.  All of my photos were shot at ISO 6400 and above for this event.

All photos are available to view and purchase here.

As the Solar Impulse turns on its lights, the crowd gasps at how stationary it appears from its distance.  Traffic is visible well behind the Solar Impulse, as the ATCT gives it plenty of working room to land on R/W 19L, which was closed specifically for the Solar Impulse team.

To prevent damage to the wingtips and props as the Solar Impulse lands, cyclists chase along underneath the wings as they lose lift, and catch them to prevent them from scraping the ground.

The entire event was broadcast live.  The small crowd watches as Pilot Bertrand Piccard is helped out of the cockpit and welcomed to Dulles.

Dulles' Customer Service Manager Dennis Hazell presents Pilot Bertrand Piccard with Dunkin' Donuts after a 20 hour flight.  Captain Piccard said he had been eagerly awaiting landing just to get the donuts, and that it was one of the most memorable things he's been presented with since the trip began.

Pilot Bertrand Piccard answers questions in a press conference, both in Swiss and English.

NASA SCA and Space Shuttles at Dulles 1 Year Anniversary

Happy Anniversary! Can you believe it? Just one very short year ago today, I was present for modern history where I shot this photo of Space Shuttle Discovery arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport, where it now calls the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center home, less than 3 miles from my home.

In a year's time I've met a lot of great people and done a lot of great things. I especially want to thank my friend Jim, who was on board this flight, for everything he's done; and a big thank you to the crew who also has been very friendly and welcoming to me. Huge thank you to Dennis for getting me involved in last year's historic events in a big way, and Erik for supporting me in pursuing my photography.

And to all those I have met and connected with in the last year, thank you all for making the last year a very special one - one for the history books!

Also, due to renewed popular demand, I've made my highlight photos of last year's NASA SCA and Space Shuttle Transport Missions available for order on my client site, for those of you who were not part of the NASA Crew or Fifty for 50th Event. Enjoy!

Here's a recap of what my week looked like just 1 short year ago:

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Dulles GEM Awards 2012

Washington Dulles International Airport's GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Customer Service Program promotes good character among employees at the airport.  When a passenger has a good airport experience it often goes unnoticed, but when employees give exceptional service, the traveler is often compelled (and encouraged) to write in, and nominate the employee for a "Gemmie." I recently photographed the first four awardees of the GEM Customer Service Award, for inclusion in a new GEM Portrait Gallery.   You can view the gallery (and my employee portraits) by visiting Dulles' South Finger, which is located beyond security on the Arrivals level overlooking the Main Terminal AeroTrain station, just before the Exit for Baggage Claim.  Or for more advanced Dulles travelers, the Gallery is underneath the new TSA Pre-Check.

Photography, lighting, and retouching are by J. David Buerk.  Final Graphic Design and Printing was accomplished by CSI in Falls Church, Virginia.  They did an amazing job with the text overlays!

Here are my portraits of all four GEM awardees which are now on display.  See the bottom of this post for the original portraits without graphic overlay.

CLICK HERE TO VEIW ALL EVENT PHOTOS.

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The award ceremony itself was mid-day, but free food and prizes were provided for all Dulles employees the entire day.  Food was catered in part by Chick-Fil-A, and many employees posed for pictures with the cow!

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The awards were presented by Airport Manager Chris Browne, who then hung the portraits in the newly formed Portrait Gallery.

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Randomness: In one of the offices I dropped in on during some behind-the-scenes event planning, I found there are proud Browncoats at Dulles!  I am an leaf on the wind...

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And finally, the Choir from Stone Bridge High School performed for employees and passengers stopping by.

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Be sure to check out all the day's photos, including all employee pictures with the Chick-Fil-A Cow, right here.

Strobist:

Here are my portraits, before graphic design by CSI.  Since this is a photography blog, I'll give you some background info on how I shot these lovely portraits.

First, I was photographing some of the friendliest people the airport has to offer!  That means every one of these folks were very fun and easy going; that's why they were recognized, after all!

The first two images, of Linda and Jack, I used a single 600EX-RT with 1/2 CTO gel in a 48" Softbox, and broad lighting.  These photos were taken in Dulles' Main Terminal AeroTrain Station, atop one of the passenger bridges.  There was enough ambient lighting that I used as fill.  The softbox was about 7 feet off the ground to eliminate glare from Jack's glasses.

The next image, of Hailu, was the only image shot outdoors.  Due to the extremely bright sunlight, I positioned the car with the sun behind, and got the remainder of Fall colors in a sunlit tree in the background.  I then used two bare 600EX-RTs at full power and zoom aimed directly at Hailu and the driver's door.  As the car was angled 45 degrees, the reflective Washington Flyer Taxi logo and car number didn't noticeably reflect in the final image.

The final image of Dave was shot in the United Airlines 1st Class Lounge, and I used a 600EX-RT in my 48" Softbox camera right as key, and another 600EX-RT into a 30" umbrella camera left as fill.  Both lights were about 7' in the air to avoid reflections in the glasses, but careful placement of the lights was needed to ALSO avoid reflections in the two windows behind Dave.  Additionally, I made sure to keep the United Airlines logo visible on the tail, just outside the lounge's window.

All photos were shot using my EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.  It's my all-time favorite lens!  Strobes were triggered via the PocketWizard Flex system.

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Emirates at Dulles

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Washington Dulles International Airport hosted Emirates Airlines for a grand welcoming event that marks the beginning of weekly non-stop service from Dulles to Dubai, along with revolutionary in-flight customer service including complimentary food and beverage (to include alcoholic beverages), as well as free door-to-door limousine service to and from 1st Class passenger's airports.  Emirates President Tim Clark was on hand for the events, and answered questions at the press conference.

Ethiopian's 787 Dreamliner

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Ethiopian Airlines welcomed Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner to their fleet. Dulles hosted a Fifty for 50th celebration to mark the occasion, allowing 50 lucky people to come watch the 787 land from on the runway, join in the festivities at the press conference, and then go on a tour of the new aircraft.