McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet (16-6932)

Darth Vader is depicted on the tail. The squadron's CAG colorbird aircraft (#500) has Darth in white and shades of gray on a black background. Will post.

5* Gary and looking forward to seeing the CAG bird.

Howdy, Dave. TY for the *. Will post the CAG's "Vader" bird. And "Guess what?" I was offered a job yesterday. For a well known aviation company. But one huge problem. I MUST agree to be paid. I told them I don't accept pay for my photos and they said then I don't get the job. PERIOD. NO IFS, ANDS, or BUTS. And their offer is, ah, well, let's just say, I made 'em repeat it just to be sure I wasn't hallucinating. Dave, I always said I'm an amateur who does not and will not accept $ for my photos, but GEEEESH!! This isn't chicken feed they're offering. And it's not just the pay. I've always felt super fortunate to have the access to the numerous airports and air bases that I have around here. I have 'contacts' up the Wazzoo. But if I take this, I'll have 20-25 times as much access ... and more "contacts" ... across the country. I've got a short window of time to consider and either go Yea or Nay. But no matter which way I go, I am 1000% certain I owe my Thanks for this dazzling opportunity to a couple of super excellent guys at FlightAware who supported me, taught me, and encouraged me way back a dozen years ago when I first joined and submitted my first photos. And I also owe an equal amount of gratitude to the many friends I've made here (FAR too many to individually name at this moment) who have been my ultra-most-loyal viewers, encouragers, and followers. Without FA, and without the awesome friends I've made here, this would NOT have happened. So, those of you who have e/mail connections with me will hear more, but for the many, many of you who I can only talk to via this Comment, I simply cannot express how very, very appreciative I am to have such fabulous friends. Four years ago, when I was invited to be a photographer on the RNO ramp with the international media when AF One arrived, I believed there would never again be anything as wonderful for me as that momentous opportunity. But I never saw THIS coming. And here's the BEST part. Before I discovered FA, I was all hell-bent on getting my pics into JP. The snobs at JP rejected my submissions - 50 of them - without once ever offering any truly sincere suggestion(s) on what I needed to do to make my photos acceptable to their panel of professionally superior photographers. So I joined FA. And, as I stated above, I was supported, encouraged, and taught by the FA person who was a screener back then. As it turns out, if my pics had been accepted by JP, I'd never have joined FA ... and I'd never have gotten this chance.

Good luck Gary. I have been employed in aviation for 40+ years and its always been more like a daily dose of adventure than a job :)

CONGRATULATIONS GARY!! Hope it fits your dreams and location preferences. You've been a principle IMO here at FA for a long time and if your postings disappear, it will be a sad day for FlightAware. Godspeed Gary Schenauer

Gary...........

Super Photo Gary and crystal clear imagery. I am hoping I see these Vader Guys at Volk Field's War Games in August - Northern Lightning 2 which is hosted near Tomah, WI for 2 weeks.

Minor correction - As a former naval aviator assigned to NAS Whidbey Island, I can assure you it is north of Seattle in WA, not OR. I wish you could have been around to take pictures of the old EA-6B. Great picture, Gary.

Great photo.

Great shot.
Congrats on your new job.
Your pics are always excellent.
Well deserved opportunity

Wayne ... (BIG Grin) I guess you would definitely know which state Whidbey Island is located in. I'll make the correction and you have my Thanks for spotting my error. AND more of my thanks for your service to our country. As an aside -- I'm a retired E-7 ('68-'89). Whenever I get captures of a military aircraft as it passes by me, I always take one sec to snap off a salute to the officer(s) piloting the military metal. I know they are too busy to be looking around so they don't see me, but I feel it is important that I render the courtesy they have earned. And every so often, they DO see me. Once, a few years ago, two C-130s from The Rock (Little Rock) were taxiing toward me. I gave my customary salute to the first one and the pilot stopped taxiing, turned the Herc directly toward me, ran up the engines, and waved out the window. Then he turned back and resumed taxiing. As the second one came up, I saluted them and they did exactly the same as the first one had done. Also, about three years ago, at an Open House at Carson City (KCXP), a Chinook was lifting off to depart. As it did, I saluted the pilots. It stopped its climb, moved up so it was directly in front of me, turned toward me, and dipped the nose. The crowd began clapping and cheering. Then it lifted off and departed right over my head. It was awesome! Best Wishes to you, Wayne.
Robert and Ken .... Hi and TYVM for the comments.
Dave, Jeff, and Marylou .... Howdy. And Thank You for the Congrats re: the job offer. The problematic issue (pay) has been resolved and it was the folks at RNO that provided the solution. They have greatly expanded my authorized access areas on the airport property so I can now continue to be an unpaid photographer while simultaneously receiving non-monetary compensatory bennies from the offering agency IF they so insist. So technically, I'm not being paid money for my photos; thus, I remain an amateur photog who still gives away photos but the travel expenses involved now won't be a hardship for me. It's a rather "fine line" but I can live with it. (Grin & a Wave) And my Thanx to all three of you for your complis re: the pic.

Sounds like a great 'win - win'!!

Hope it works well for you, and sincerely hope it means you'll still be 'here' with your excellent pictures - and even better stories!!

Hello

Gary,
This is my first "post" to the FA site, but just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your excellent photos. When I read about your new opportunity, I just had to figure a way to post and wish you the best of luck in your new opportunity. Good Luck, but with your talent, I'm not really sure it's needed. I live in the central CA valley and travel to Reno on occasion. If we ever have the opportunity to meet, I'd be honored.

Gary,
This is my first "post" to the FA site, but just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your excellent photos. When I read about your new opportunity, I just had to figure a way to post and wish you the best of luck in your new opportunity. Good Luck, but with your talent, I'm not really sure it's needed. I live in the central CA valley and travel to Reno on occasion. If we ever have the opportunity to meet, I'd be honored.

Hanine ... Hi.
Adelma ... Very much appreciate your kind comment. I'll still be posting on FA. Also, my previous offer to you remains open. And Thanx again for viewing my snaps.
Brian D .... Just let me know when you might be heading this way. (Please give as much advance notice as possible - I have a calendar and commitments fill it in fairly rapidly but my policy is "First Come" so once I commit to someone or some agency I turn down anything that is offered later. So if you say you're coming here and I am free to meet you on that day, I don't cancel or accept any later requests.) And if I am ever coming over the Sierra and toward the Central Valley, I'll let you know as early as possible. BTW, an FYI ... My e/m is [email protected]