Beautiful Bend, OR sunset
Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:43 amI decided I'd take a trip down to Bend and fly my Aerospatiale AS341 Gazelle around the mountains of Central Oregon. I departed my home in Shelton early in the morning to allow for the long trip to Bend Municipal Airport. I arrived just as the sun was starting to settle over the western horizon, leaving me little time to preflight and get up in the air. I was determined to make this flight happen, since I had heard that the sunsets there were spectacular this time of year - and that the weather was finally cooperating.
The preflight went as usual, and once I was in, there was no turning back.
Lifting off of Runway 34. Had a little trouble maintaining level flights since the winds were kicking up a bit. It was very cold there, too.
Heading straight towards Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters volcanic chain. The sunset and scenery was truly breathtaking from this altitude.
Circling around the foot of Mt. Bachelor. On my third pass around Mt. Bachelor, I simulated the opening title scenes from the movie "St. Helens" starring Art Carney, which was shot here.
Coming around Mt. Bachelor and starting to head towards the South Sister. The cloud-filtered sunlight reflected beautifully off of the skin of the Gazelle
Heading straight towards the South Sister and her summit crater.
Cresting the north rim of the South Sister's summit crater and looking north towards the Middle, and North Sister.
It started to get late and I needed to head back. On final approach I noticed the north end of the runway was being lit up unusually bright.
Found the light source! A Cessna C208B Caravan was taxiing to Runway 34. This kinda put a damper on the plan of landing on Runway 34, so I circled and came in from the west and landed in GA Parking.
The preflight went as usual, and once I was in, there was no turning back.
Lifting off of Runway 34. Had a little trouble maintaining level flights since the winds were kicking up a bit. It was very cold there, too.
Heading straight towards Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters volcanic chain. The sunset and scenery was truly breathtaking from this altitude.
Circling around the foot of Mt. Bachelor. On my third pass around Mt. Bachelor, I simulated the opening title scenes from the movie "St. Helens" starring Art Carney, which was shot here.
Coming around Mt. Bachelor and starting to head towards the South Sister. The cloud-filtered sunlight reflected beautifully off of the skin of the Gazelle
Heading straight towards the South Sister and her summit crater.
Cresting the north rim of the South Sister's summit crater and looking north towards the Middle, and North Sister.
It started to get late and I needed to head back. On final approach I noticed the north end of the runway was being lit up unusually bright.
Found the light source! A Cessna C208B Caravan was taxiing to Runway 34. This kinda put a damper on the plan of landing on Runway 34, so I circled and came in from the west and landed in GA Parking.
