Canada & Florida - An Engaging Journey

This journey started with a simple wish: to explore Miami and squeeze in as many Florida airports as possible along the way. So… how did we end up in northern Canada? Well, you’re about to find out!

Fresh off an amazing trip to Texas and California with our friends, we found ourselves daydreaming about Miami. Especially now that SkyBus Cargo has its iconic DC-8 flying again, and with avgas slowly being phased out, the days of the (historic) piston aircraft are sadly numbered. Naturally, Florida Air Cargo’s trio of DC-3s flying out of Opa Locka jumped to the top of our must-see list. So, with this aviation bucket list in mind, we started looking for a creative way to get ourselves to Florida.

Originally, we were thinking something straightforward: fly to Jacksonville, drive down to Miami, and fly back, or the other way around. Simple enough.

While browsing Google Flights, we stumbled on an intriguing option with Air Canada with a long layover in Montréal. Since Montréal had been on our to-visit list for a while, it felt like the perfect fit. Better yet, we found a rare sweet spot: affordable tickets with Air Inuit on their Boeing 737-200! Their flights are usually pretty pricey, so we jumped at the chance. The plan: fly from Montréal to Puvirnituq and back, with a stop in La Grande Rivière,  all on a Boeing 737-200.

We invited our friends Rudi and Wouter to join. Rudi was in, but unfortunately Wouter had to work (someone’s gotta keep the economy going).

So, a few days in Canada with Rudi it is, and then onward to Miami, where we’ll pick up a car and drive across Florida until we end up in Orlando while Rudi stays in Canada to visit family. Let’s get this show on the road, or better yet, in the air!

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Proposals

Now, a little side note from me, Lars, since most of this blog is written from my perspective. Marieke and I have been together for nearly ten years, so yes, marriage has been a topic. We both knew we want to get married some day; my only challenge was making the proposal something special. And while booking tickets for Air Inuit, I saw the perfect opportunity. I reached out to Air Inuit, told them my plan, and to my delight, they were completely onboard. I even got in touch with our cabin attendant ahead of time, and she was happy to help set things up!

Of course, before any of that could happen, there was one more important step: asking Marieke’s dad for her hand. Thankfully, with the help of 30 toy sheep and one very persuasive plush camel, he said yes and gave me his blessing. So now, with the plan in place, it was time to fly to Canada!

Monday 14 April - Canadian Dream(liner)

Most of our intercontinental flights are early morning departures, but not today, and honestly, it that is a nice change of pace. We even manage a quick stop at Schiphol-East to catch a good looking Oman Air Force C-130 Hercules before heading to the terminal. Security and passport control are a breeze and before we know it, we are airside and heading toward our gate.

There we meet up with Rudi, and our ride for the day: an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as C-GHPQ. Our seatsare  40J and 40K, with Rudi just beside us in 40I.

The flight itself. Well… let’s just say it is standard. Not brilliant, not bad either. The baby behind us has clearly been recharged overnight (and possibly his diaper too...), and Rudi manages to drop his phone charger from the overhead bin straight into someone’s in-flight meal. Luckily no casualties. On the bright side, the dinner was surprisingly good!

One major downside of the Dreamliner are those dimmable windows. You don’t actually get to control them for most of the flight, which makes enjoying the views, especially during descent, a bit tricky. Still, Rudi somehow managed to pull together a decent video.

After landing, we breeze through Canadian immigration and, with our luggage quickly collected, head over to pick up our rental car. Since it’s still a bit early to check in at the hotel, we decide to make the most of our time and explore the airport surroundings and get a first taste of Montréal.

First stop: a dead-end road that runs past the Air Inuit hangar and leads to the deicing pads. It might not sound like much, but for us, this is where the real fun begins. And there she is: our first Air Inuit Boeing 737-200 sighting of the trip! C-GSPW is parked outside, though unfortunately a little too far from the fence for good photos. Still, it’s a beautiful start.

Nearby, we also spot a derelict Embraer 120 and an Airbus that's apparently going to be used for political campaigns. Not exactly the usual ramp traffic, but definitely worth a few shots before we move on.

Our next stop takes us north into the city, to a diecast model shop we’d found online. The shop turns out to be a gem with plenty of tempting scale models on the shelves, but one in particular grabs our attention: a Skymarks Air Inuit Boeing 737-200, registered C-GMAI. Naturally, we take it home with us. Fingers crossed this will be the very bird we fly on in just two days’ time! 

We leave the model shop behind and head east, towards Montréal’s lesser-known gem: Montréal Metropolitan Airport (Longueuil). Our drive takes us across the stunning Pont Jacques-Cartier, offering some beautiful views of the city and river.

Our first stop is near the FBO, where we’re greeted by some unexpected but very welcome locals: two mellow groundhogs casually doing their thing. And no worries, it’s not Groundhog Day! While our furry friends are hogging the spotlight, we set up our cameras to capture some rare metal: a stored Chrono Aviation Boeing 737-200, and a Bombardier CS100 (or Airbus A220 if you prefer the newer name) tucked away at the local aviation school. Meanwhile, over on the FBO ramp, a Summit Air Avro RJ100 is getting some TLC from a team of engineers. First stop, and it’s already a treasure trove.

We continue exploring around the airport and soon stumble upon a heliport. Among the shiny modern choppers, two classic Hueys steal the show. What a find! After grabbing some quick shots, we press on to check out Pascan Aviation, which has several stored Jetstreams. They’re tough to shoot due to tricky lighting and those ever-annoying double fences, but we still manage to snag a few satisfying frames. From there, it’s off to Max Aviation, where a line-up of King Airs awaits us. The light  conditions are far from perfect, but hey, we’ll take it!

As the sun begins to dip and the golden hour wraps the city in warm light, we make our way back toward Montréal–Trudeau (YUL) to check in at our hotel. But not before one last detour: a slow drive around the legendary Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, home to the Canadian Grand Prix. The track may be quiet now besides lots of cyclists, but just being there adds a special little buzz to an already fantastic first day.

Time to rest up, because tomorrow, the real northern adventure begins!

Tuesday 15 April - Nolinor & Ottawa

Thanks to our still very much active European internal clocks, we’re up bright and early, which actually is perfect for making the most of the day. After a solid breakfast that fuels both body and spirit, we hit the road. First up: the eastern side of Montréal–Trudeau Airport, where several FBOs are tucked away and promise some early morning spotting opportunities.

There’s a decent variety to see here, though not everything plays nice with the camera. One particular letdown: the Raglan Boeing 737-200, which is parked perfectly close but with its nose obscured by the FBO.. So, the perfect shot remains just out of reach. Ah well, part of the game. We count our blessings instead: a handful of Air Creebec DHC-8s are lounging around, and we even spot an AeroFlyer Boeing 737-600 looking sharp. Not a bad start!

With those boxes ticked, it’s time to move on to the next big target: Mirabel Airport. Once Montréal’s ambitious international gateway, now a haven for interesting ops and vintage aircraft, so, fingers crossed for some gems!

At Mirabel, we have an appointment with a legendary name in aviation: the awesome local airline called Nolinor. They operate a variety of Boeing 737 aircraft, with the star of the team being their Boeing 737-200. Even better: Nolinor is the largest -200 operator in the world. Nolinor specializes in flying into remote regions across Canada’s vast northern territories. These aircraft, some modified with gravel kits, land on unpaved runways, delivering vital cargo, supplies, and workers to mining sites and northern communities where road access is impossible.

We’re greeted by Rudy, who warmly welcomes us at Nolinor's offices and operational control centre. Here, we meet more members of the team who keep tabs on the airline’s fleet across Canada. We're also shown around various departments, including sales and training facilities. One of those training rooms is a procedure trainer based on virtual reality. With help of VR, the cockpit crew can practice several procedures while a trainer keeps track of their progress. Even eye movement can be monitored in the goggles. Rudy sets up two sets of goggles for us to try and perform a pre-departure check procedure in the -200.

Besides this being really fun to do, it also is really handy as there are not many simulators for the -200. In fact, the worlds only certified 737-200 simulator is owned by Nolinor, but is located in the Pan Am training facility in Miami, Florida. So the VR room is a brilliant solution to keep the flight crew skilled and trained. 

Our next stop is the hangar, where several aircraft are parked: three Boeing 737s, two Learjets, and the owner's private helicopter, all maintained by a skilled team of engineers. Our main focus is the Boeing 737-200 parked at the back of the hangar. The other -200 is undergoing a C-check, and we’re kindly asked to keep a respectful distance. Another aircraft, a 737-400 is parked to the far left of the hangar. It is one of the larger types in Nolinor’s fleet. Their largest fleet members are the Boeing 737-800s, operated by OWG, Nolinor’s commercial division. We even saw an OWG aircraft departing just as we arrived this morning, good timing!

Like stated earlier, our main focus is the 737-200 parked at the back. This aircraft, C-GNLK, was even the first Boeing 737 that operated for the Dutch low cost carrier Transavia! A small team of engineers is currently busy with the conversion of the cabin to full-pax configuration. This is one of the key selling points for the old Boeing 737-200s, which is their versitality. The large cargo door gives access to a cargo floor that could accommodate up to six cargo pallets, but this cabin can also be converted to a passenger cabin. 

We also get a close look at the gravel kit on the JT8D engines. This system uses high-pressure bleed air to create a wall of air that deflects gravel away from the engine intake. It’s a clever solution that only works with the smaller intake diameter of the JT8D, a big reason why the -200 is still in service across Canada. Newer aircraft with larger engines would not be able to stay clean on the gravel runways, which cannot be made from other materials due to the extreme conditions.

After drooling around in the hangar it is time to take a look outside. Here we see two Cessna 172s what are being used for flight training. One of them is the original Cessna that was owned by the founder of Nolinor. Also the pushback tug called "Thicc Boy" is parked here. Then, we find another Boeing 737-200, registered as C-GTUK. This 737-200 has several cockpit modifications, with the most noticable being four digital screens as primary flight display. This aircraft is also in a full-pax configuration, which means that there are currently no cargo positions available and the entire cabin is for passenger seating. Also clearly visible is the gravel deflector on the nose gear.

As the weather starts to get less good (rain..), we quickly take a group picture with 737-200 C-GTUK before heading back inside to say goodbye to Rudy and the other Nolinor crew. What an amazing airline this is! It was special to see how smoothly the airline is run, and the amount of passion that all the employees have for the company and put in their work is really special. We were also truly impressed by the VR procedure trainer, it really shows the level of professionalism that Nolinor has. We would like to thank Rudy for his time and Nolinor for welcoming us to their home.  

We leave Mirabel behind for a nice long drive to Ottawa. Our initial plan was to visit the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, however, we discovered that we forgot to check the opening days, and on Tuesdays they are closed apparently. Bummer, and the weather gets even worse. So, we decide to head to the main airport of Ottawa to see if there is anything going on. Hopefully something is outside near the Canada Research Centre. Spoiler alert: there was not. There is however a wingless 737-200 that can be photographed.

Next, we drive around the airport to see if there is something else, and luckily there is some stuff going on here. Canadian North has one of their Boeing 737-400 parked outside, and a Cargojet Boeing 757F is present. Also, near the fire brigade an ex-First Air Boeing 737-200 is preserved. Eventually, we agree that here is not much going on, and we opt to head back to Montréal to catch the Air Inuit Boeing 737-200 coming in. 

Back at Montréal, we discover the official viewing area. This spot is not ideal in the afternoon as you are facing the sun. We do see the other political campaign jet parked though. So, we opt to drive on to a different location near the approach of the other runway. Here it does not take long before the highlight of this afternoon comes into view: the first moving Boeing 737-200 of this trip! 

The light was beautiful, up till now. The sun just hides behind the clouds as the Jurassic 737 makes her way in Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport. We watch her taxi in before heading to the Air Inuit FBO to get an up-close look at how the old 737 is being prepared for the night. As it gets cold and dark, we also head back to our hotel to prepare for the night, as tomorrow we will be flying on the Air Inuit Boeing 737-200 ourselves - hopefully!!

Wednesday 16 April - Engaging on Air Inuit 

This morning starts just like any other when we’re about to fly on a special aircraft. We wake up buzzing with anticipation, get ready, and do a quick gear check: cameras? Check. Memory cards? Check. Chargers? Check. Ring…? Ring?! Yes, found it, safely tucked in my pocket! Marieke, meanwhile, is completely unaware of what’s about to unfold today. She still believes this is just a regular flying adventure. However, I did tell her that I had contacted Air Inuit in advance to ask if we could film the aircraft both during the flight and on the ground at Puvirnituq. I explained they were happy to welcome us on board and had even introduced me to our cabin attendant. All of that is true, but what I didn’t mention is that the entire crew is in on a much bigger plan.

We glance out of our window and spot a little orange Air Inuit tail peeking over the terminal. An Air Creebec Dash 8 is also taking off right over our room. It’s already shaping up to be an amazing day! We skip hotel breakfast and hop on the shuttle to the terminal. Time to check in and get this show on the road.

Now, here’s where things get a little quirky.. Today we’re flying four segments with two destinations on a single ticket. Let me explain. While booking, we wanted to fly to Puvirnituq. This flight includes a short stopover at La Grande Rivière in both directions. The direct flight to Puvirnituq (YPX) was quite expensive, so we looked at flying only to La Grande (YGL) instead.

Here’s the funny part: the booking engine gave us two options. The first was a simple round trip: YUL to YGL in the morning and back in the afternoon. Still pricey, but more reasonable. The second option was a longer journey: YUL–YGL–YPX–YGL, all on the same day, and oddly enough, much cheaper. We couldn’t figure out why, but of course, we went with this cheaper and more exciting option.

Back to this morning: we’re checking in, and since seat selection and online check-in weren’t available, we’re hoping for good seats. The check-in agent seems a little puzzled by our itinerary and surprised that we’re flying back the same day. She says it’s not possible to check us in for the final leg back to YUL, so we’ll have to get off at YGL and check in again. We receive our boarding passes and see we’ve been assigned seats 2D and 2F: not together. That’s odd. And isn’t this supposed to be a combi aircraft with cargo pallets taking up the front half of the cabin? Shouldn’t the first row be something like row 14? Would it even be a 737 today or are we downgraded to a Dash 8???

Things get even more confusing when Rudi returns with four boarding passes—including our final leg back to YUL after all. We’re totally flabbergasted, but don’t have time to sort it out. I know it’ll be fine; if there were any issues, the crew would’ve told me.

We head through security, grab a quick breakfast, and settle in with a view of the ramp. Everything is moving smoothly. The sky is grey, and soon snowflakes begin to fall, but honestly, it just adds to the cozy, wintry vibe. We even spot a Canadian North Boeing 737-400 Combi parked nearby. What a beauty!

For our flight, we have to head to another terminal. Our gate is the last one on the left. When we arrive, we’re greeted by Nesrine, our purser for the day, who I had already been in touch with via email. She knows everything that’s about to happen and helped arrange it all. Nesrine welcomes us warmly and confirms that the entire crew is aware of our plans to photograph and film during the flight, and everyone is happy to participate. She also finds it odd that we’ve been placed in seats D and F, but reassures us it will all work out. I was glad I’d already told Marieke that I knew the crew, it would’ve been harder to explain all this friendliness otherwise!

At the gate, we also meet Lewis, a fellow passenger and aviation enthusiast who, like us, booked this itinerary just for the 737-200. As we wait for boarding, we enjoy the view of our aircraft being prepared and chat with a few other passengers, many of whom are Air Inuit crew commuting to La Grande or Puvirnituq to fly out on the Dash or Twin Otter.

Our aircraft today is C-GMAI, a Boeing 737-2Q2C Adv built in 1978, with MSN 21467. She began her career as TR-LXL with Air Gabon, flying there until 2008 before becoming TN-AHW with Air Congo. In 2010, she left Africa for the cold north and has been flying with Air Inuit ever since. Our seats for today now actually make more sense as we see that the jetbridge is connected, indicating that the cabin is in full passenger configuration. Normally, with a combi configuration, only the aft airstairs would be used for boarding. The reason for the full pax configuration today is that the flight yesterday had been cancelled due to weather, which means that all the passengers from yesterday join todays flight. 

Finally, it’s time to board. We scan our boarding passes and head upstairs through the jet bridge. Another cabin crew member, Farrah, greets us warmly as we step aboard. We find our seats, settle in, and take a deep breath.Let this unforgettable journey begin!

We settle into our seats and get comfortable. Luckily, the middle seat stays empty, which means that we can sit together! Crisis averted hahaha! Rudi is seated a bit further back, at the exit row. He also is fully briefed and ready for what’s about to unfold. My heart, though, is pounding. There’s still a lot to coordinate with the crew. Which flight will be best for the big moment? Can I use the Passenger Announcement system? My mind is racing, but I push the thoughts aside and try to soak in the view. Well, for as far as we even have a view as our window is covered up with snow. That also means one thing: deicing, woohoo!!

We push back and hear the JT8D-17 engines coming to life. The pushback tug and towbar are disconnected and with a scream of the engines the vintage 737 starts to roll. Meanwhile, the cabin crew performs the safety briefing, not once, not twice, but three times: first in English, then in French, and finally in Inuktitut, the local Inuit language. Watching them perform the full demo in all three languages is a refreshing change, something even major multilingual airlines don’t always do.

Our first stop today is the deicing pad. First, our wing is sprayed down with a Type-I fluid to remove the snow and ice. Then, a nice layer of protective Type-IV anti-icing fluid is applied which covers the wing and engine in a layer of green stuff. Luckily, our seat is forward of the engines, so our view stays mostly clear. Poor Rudi, though, is stuck in 10F, right over the wing at the emergency exit. His entire view is now neon green!

Visibility is pretty limited outside; the sky is thick with snow and low clouds as we taxi toward runway 24R. The engines start to scream once again, the brakes are released and the 47.2 year old Boeing thunders down the runway, shedding most of the green fluid - as it is designed to do. The pilots pull back on the yoke and the 737 gently rotates into the gusty skies. We are on our way!

As we climb above the clouds, the outside view clears up. No more snow, no more deicing fluid, just a beautiful sight of that classic engine purring along. It’s exhilarating! Meanwhile, the crew begins prepping the cabin for breakfast, which we actually had not expected. On flights with lesser-known airlines or remote routes, we’ve learned to expect zero catering. That’s why we packed our own snacks for today. So, Air Inuit surprises us with a full hot breakfast! We're served a warm quiche with potatoes and bacon, a juice box, a cup of tea (or another drink of choice), and even a little yogurt. Honestly, we’re blown away. We’re not even halfway through the first of four flights, and Air Inuit is already exceeding all expectations.

Once the seatbelt sign is turned off, we get up to stretch our legs and chat with the crew. Rudi and Marieke hang out in the forward galley, while Nesrine takes me to the back of the cabin to finalize today’s secret mission. After a quick conversation, we agree: the proposal will happen on the flight from Puvirnituq to La Grande. One and a half flights to go. The countdown is on.

Eventually, the plane begins its descent, and we return to our seats. The cabin crew starts preparing for landing and passes around a tray of sweets. A fun little touch that adds even more warmth to the experience.

We descend through thick clouds as we approach La Grande. From above, the landscape is supposed to be stunning, but with the snow it’s hard to tell where the frozen lakes end and the land begins. A few scattered forests and trees still poke through, but the vastness and emptiness of the region is striking. Not a single road, house, or village in sight. It’s both breathtaking and a bit haunting.

As we drop lower, the ground finally comes into view and we touch down at La Grande. The weather here is still grey, windy, and snowy, but not nearly as heavy as in Montréal.

La Grande is just a short stop on this route, but it also serves as a key hub for Air Inuit’s northern operations, especially for their Dash 8 fleet. Most of the crew members disembark here, ending their leg aboard the 737. While the aircraft is being refueled, the four AvGeeks onboard take the opportunity to stretch our legs and chat with the flight crew.

Lewis, being a private pilot himself, eagerly claims his spot in the flight deck and dives into conversation with the pilots. That leaves the three of us, Rudi, Marieke, and me, to hang back and enjoy more time chatting with Nesrine and Farrah. While we’re staring out of the windows, we notice something curious: the engines are being covered up. The crew explains it’s done to protect them from snow or debris, but also to conserve heat inside the engines. Pretty clever for such a rugged environment!

The next leg, from La Grande to Puvirnituq, is much quieter, with far fewer passengers onboard. Marieke decides to stay in seat 2F, and I move back to 5F. Not because I want to be away from her, of course, but so we can both enjoy window seats. Being an aviation-loving couple is a blast… but let’s be honest, window seat negotiations are a real thing haha!

We experience a short delay due to a faulty fuel cap. A replacement needs to be found, but thankfully, it’s nothing serious. Once the issue is resolved, the engines roar back to life, and we taxi out to runway 31. This takeoff feels noticeably different from our departure in Montréal. The runway here is shorter, so the pilots have to apply full thrust much more aggressively. The engines spool up, and we launch forward. Rotation happens quickly, and we’re treated to an incredible view of the endless boreal forest. Black trees poking through the snow like dark brushstrokes across a white canvas. Moments later, we make a right hand turn and punch back through the clouds.

During the flight, Nesrine introduces us to Maxime, Air Inuit’s head of ground operations. He’ll be showing us around the aircraft once we arrive in Puvirnituq. Originally, he was supposed to fly out yesterday and meet us there, but thanks to the flight cancellation, he’s now on our flight instead. It’s all working out perfectly.

Behind me at seat 6F is an elderly woman who obviously lives here in the Nunavik region. She is impressed by all the camera gear that we are carrying. It gets even more special when she wants to take a selfie with me, as she had never seen, let alone met someone from Europe. What a special flight is this!

This second flight also includes a small surprise: a warm chocolate chip cookie is served as a snack. Yes, a warm cookie! Honestly, could this flight get any better? I’ve got a vintage JT8D humming outside my window, an empty row to myself, two of my favorite people nearby, and the friendliest, most enthusiastic crew you could ask for, all while flying a legendary Boeing 737-200 to a remote Arctic village. This… this is what happiness feels like. And somehow, the best part of the day is still ahead.

As we begin our descent, we pass through the clouds again, or at least, I think we do. It’s almost impossible to tell. We’ve flown above the tree line, so there’s nothing below us but an endless expanse of frozen lakes and snowy islands. The landscape is so uniformly white that it feels like staring at a blank sheet of printer paper. There’s no sense of depth or altitude. It’s easy to see how this terrain could be deceptively dangerous for low-flying aircraft.

Then, out of nowhere, a village appears beneath our wings: Puvirnituq. Whoa, we’re lower than I thought! Within moments, we touch down on the runway at YPX, and this landing is something special: the runway here is made of gravel. The aircraft’s gravel kit shows its worth immediately, with a distinctive "wall of air" blowing snow and stones away from the engine intakes. You can clearly see it working in the swirling gravel beneath the wing.

There was some doubt about whether we would even be able to land here today, the temperature is hovering around -6°C. The operational limit for contaminated gravel runways is -5°C; any warmer and the surface gets too slushy for safe landings. Thankfully, conditions are just cold enough, and the runway is frozen solid.

We roll to the end of the runway, then turn around to backtrack to our stand. The view during the turn is surreal: a frozen gravel strip dusted with powdery snow, stretching across this remote northern landscape. It’s almost hard to believe we’re actually here.

Two flights down, two to go. And yet… my stomach flutters. I’m getting a bit nervous. Why would that be?

Here in Puvirnituq, everyone disembarks as the stopover here lasts a few hours. After all, who would want to fly straight back to where we just came from… besides us, of course?

We wait patiently while the rest of the passengers deplane, which takes a little while since only the rear stairs are being used. Once the last passenger has stepped off, it’s time for our behind-the-scenes tour. Maxime, true to his word, leads us out onto the ramp. Lewis conveniently tags along, taking full advantage of our pre-arranged access.

Our first stop is the cargo hold. Maxime explains how the baggage loader is positioned extremely close to the engine’s thrust reversers, something I recognize instantly from my own experience as a baggage handler. Still, seeing it on a 737-200 is a whole new perspective. This aircraft is built for ground operations with limited equipment availability, so it’s fascinating to see just how tight everything is when modern equipment is used.

From there, we walk around one of the engines and head toward the aircraft’s nose. Of course, this calls for a group photo session, first with just the three of us, then with Lewis joining in. There’s something incredibly special about standing in front of a gravel-kit-equipped jurassic 737 in the Nunavik region, smiles frozen on our faces (literally and figuratively), commemorating this wild aviation adventure.

Maxime then offers to show us around the other aircraft currently on the ramp. How could we say no? We start with a pair of DHC-6 Twin Otters. These rugged aircraft are used for medical evacuations and are equipped with stretchers inside the cabin. It’s hard to overstate how vital they are to the local communities. The nearest full-service hospital is in Montréal! These Twin Otters are, quite literally, a lifeline.

After exploring the Twotters, we brave the freezing wind and continue to a recently arrived DHC-8-300. It had landed while we were busy inside the Twin Otter. We get a quick peek inside and snap a few photos before the crew begins securing the aircraft.

Next, we’re off to another corner of the airport: the cargo warehouse. Here, we get a look at the flow of goods coming into the village. There’s also a small maintenance hall for the deicing vehicle. It hits us how incredibly dependent this community is on air transport. With no roads in or out, and a harbor that’s frozen for much of the year, everything—food, fuel, medicine, mail—arrives by plane.

It’s impressive. And humbling.

While -6°C definitely feels cold (especially considering spring is blooming back home) it could’ve been so much worse. Just a few days ago, Puvirnituq was slammed by a blizzard, with far more brutal conditions. In fact, only five days earlier, temperatures here plummeted to a staggering -29°C! It’s wild to think that today’s -6 feels mild in comparison, but that’s just life in the North.

With a bit of time to kill before our flight departs, Maxime casually “borrows” a truck from one of the ground crew and invites us on a quick drive into town. We hop in, and things start to feel even more surreal. Roads? Sort of. Everything is buried under the whitest snow we’ve ever seen and finding the path is more about memory than visibility.

Around here, your vehicle of choice is either a snowmobile or a quad. Seatbelts? Optional. In fact, Maxime tells us that because Puvirnituq isn’t connected to the Canadian road network, Canadian traffic laws don’t apply. He grins and adds, “Don’t be surprised if you see a 12-year-old driving a pickup truck. That kind of stuff just happens here.” It clearly is a different world, and honestly, we’re loving every minute of driving through it.

As we bump along the snow-packed roads, Maxime gives us a quick tour of town. We see the two supermarkets, the local churches, the only hotel, and a few other community landmarks. It's compact but clearly the heart of life here. Everything has a rugged charm and a resilient feel, shaped by the extreme climate and isolation.

Eventually, it’s time to head back to the airport. There’s still a little time left before boarding, so we hang out inside and chat with one of the check-in agents.

This whole experience is just absolutely unreal.

Then, it's time for flight number three. Since Puvirnituq doesn't have a security checkpoint, all passengers are required to deplane at La Grande to go through screening there. But that’s for later. Right now, we’re boarding once again.

My hands are shaking. Partly because of the cold, and partly because of what’s about to happen on this flight. Nesrine greets us with a warm smile as we step back on board, and we make our way to our new seats in row 13 for the next two legs. The row is empty, so Marieke settles into 13A by the window while I take 13F across the aisle. It’s happening.

The engines rumble back to life, flaps extend into takeoff position, and the parking brake is released. Sitting next to the exhaust, the noise from the old 737 is absolutely thunderous. It sounds more like a fighter jet than a passenger plane. What a machine. We rotate smoothly and climb into the northern skies once again.

The plane climbs with the same rate as my heartbeat at the moment. Once the fasten seatbelt sign switches off, that’s when it will happen. Rudi is ready, the crew is on standby, and Marieke still has no clue. Everything is perfectly in place.

Bong! The familiar chime signals that the seatbelt sign is off. Time to get moving.

As an aviation cartoonist, I had printed one of our cartoons for the crew to sign as a little “flight certificate” to commemorate the day. That gives me the perfect excuse to get up and approach Nesrine. I tell Marieke I’m just delivering it. Nesrine gives a knowing nod and quietly asks me to wait about five more minutes until we’ve reached cruising altitude, once the engines throttle back and the cabin gets a bit less noisy, the PA system will be more audible.

I return to my seat and casually tell Marieke that we have to wait “because of reasons.” Luckily, she accepts it without questioning me further. Phew!

A few minutes later, Nesrine walks past my seat and gives me a subtle nod. It’s time.

My heart is pounding. Final check: is the ring still in my pocket? Yes. Okay. Let’s do this.

I follow Nesrine to the forward galley, where she shows me the PA system, an old-style handheld mic mounted near the forward door, with a long cord that lets me step into the aisle. I pull out the small speech I’d prepared (better safe than sorry). Nesrine gives me a last round of advice: “Speak clearly and loudly; the system isn’t as crisp as it used to be.” She wishes me luck and takes a seat in the front row.

Marieke is still in 13A, completely unaware, just looking out the window.

I nod to Rudi, seated in 5F.

I take a deep breath and press the button. Showtime...

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, dear fellow passengers. May I please have your attention for a moment…” Nesrine and Farrah both give me a thumbs-up: volume and clarity are good. No turning back now. "I hope you are having an amazing flight, just like we do. You might have seen me and my friends dwelling around this aircraft with all our big cameras and stuff, and you might be wondering what we are doing.." I launch into my speech. Marieke lifts her phone and starts filming me. Later she tells me she thought I had lost a bet with the crew or something. Apparently, it all still made sense to her at this point! "Well, let  me explain. I am Lars, and together with my girlfriend Marieke we are both real aviation professionals. I work as a pushback/towtruck driver and ground handler at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, in The Netherlands, while my girlfriend Marieke sells charter and medical flights for a smaller airline based in Lelystad, also The Netherlands."

So far, so good. The passengers are engaged. My legs are shaking, but I’m holding it together. "Besides being aviation professionals, we are also aviation enthusiast, and we like to travel the world searching for old and rare aircraft, to spot and sometimes even to fly on them, just like this Boeing 737-200 flight. For these activities, we even have our own brand name called LaMa Aviation (get it? Lars + Marieke = La Ma?)" The passengers chuckle. The joke landed. Relief! "Okay, let's continue. With that brand, we have our own instagram, youtube channel, even our own website where we write travel blogs of all our trips."

So far for the introduction, here comes the big moment.. This is it. Let's go.. "Marieke, could you please come to me here up front?" Now she knows where this is going. Her face is red like a tomato as she slowy walks down the aisle towards me. "We have been doing this for as long as we are together, which is almost ten years now! Ten years of travel, chasing special planes and most of all, ten years of making the best memories. We did a lot of crazy things together, like we travelled to Argentina to fly on the Fokker F28 Fellowship, to Estonia to fly the Jetstream 32, and now here in Canada to fly on the Boeing 737-200. Ten years of doing crazing things together. Marieke, I guess you already know where this is going?"

Her eyes well up with tears and she nodds. "Marieke, will you please keep doing these crazy things with me for the rest of our lives? Lieve Marieke, wil je met me trouwen, will you mary me?"

I reach into my pocket for the ring, and with adrenaline surging I promptly drop it on the floor. The cabin erupts in laughter and cheers. I get on my knees, present the ring and look into her eyes…

She says the happiest “YES” I’ve ever heard. I stand, we hug, the cabin applauds and cheers. We did it, we’re engaged!

Rudi, Nesrine, and Farrah join us in the galley, and we take a moment to breathe, to feel everything. Nesrine presents us with a surprise Air Inuit goodie bag full of merchandise. It’s the sweetest gesture. Likewise, we also have brought a present for her in the form of another framed cartoon. The rest of the flight is spent up front, laughing, celebrating, and soaking in the moment with the incredible crew. 

Eventually, it’s time to return to our seats as our flying dinosaur begins its descent back into La Grande. As we walk down the aisle to row 13, every single passenger congratulates us. What a crazy feeling! The entire cabin is still buzzing from the proposal. We’re smiling so much it hurts.

The weather has cleared up a bit since this morning, and now we can actually make out the endless black forests below: those striking dark silhouettes against the snowy white landscape. The flaps extend to full, and just a few minutes later, we smoothly touch down once again on runway 31.

From our seats, we have an excellent view of the thrust reverser buckets. They snap open, clapping together as the engines sending the exhaust blasting right past our windows. The noise is absolutely phenomenal for those few thrilling seconds while the reversers are deployed. This is one of those pure, raw moments of vintage aviation we live for.

As we roll down the runway, we spot something extra special: another Air Inuit 737-200 parked at the airport. This one is C-GOPW, the third -200 still flying in their fleet. What a beautiful sight!

We backtrack on the runway and taxi to our stand. Unlike earlier in the day, all passengers are now required to disembark here for the security check, since Puvirnituq doesn’t have a security screening facility. And on top of that, we still need to check in for our final flight as we still have not received boarding passes for the last leg yet.

We make our way into the terminal and head straight for the check-in counter. Finally, we get everything sorted and are handed our boarding passes for the fourth and final flight of the day. We're in the same row again: seats 13E and 13F. This time, though, the flight is almost completely full. No empty rows, no wandering around. But at this point, with hearts full and memories made, we’re just grateful to be flying one more time aboard this incredible aircraft.

Then, security opens, and we make our way to the tiny departure gate, which is already packed with passengers and crew. The room is buzzing with energy. Eventually, the doors swing open, and we’re guided back out to our little Baby Boeing for one final ride. We take our seats, watching the last of the baggage being loaded into the hold. We settle in for this last hop back to Montréal.

Once everything is secured, the crew receives startup clearance, and the two JT8D-17s roar back to life for one last performance today. We taxi out toward the runway. The aircraft is heavier now with a full cabin and cargo load, so the pilots apply a bit more thrust for takeoff. The 737-200 responds with a thunderous roar as we surge down the runway, climbing into the sky one final time. The gear retracts and, just like that, we bid farewell to the vast black forests surrounding La Grande.

As we burst through the cloud layer, we’re greeted by a sunset that feels almost too perfect to be real. The sky is painted in hues of gold, orange, and soft purples. The clouds below look like a plush white blanket, gently cradling the fading sun. It's a moment of serenity, of reflection, a fitting finale to an extraordinary day.

Soon, the crew rolls out dinner. The cabin buzzes again as trays appear with what seems to be a fan favorite: Air Inuit’s signature lasagna. We quickly find out why: it’s genuinely delicious. The entire product of Air Inuit continues to amaze us. 

With the sun now gone, darkness sets in quickly as we approach Montréal. The clouds begin to break apart, revealing the soft, glittering glow of the city below. Streetlights, neighborhoods, and highways shimmer like threads of gold and silver against the night.

As we descend, Nesrine stops by to hand us another warm chocolat chip cookie, and to let us know the captain will be making a special announcement. We lean in, and sure enough, he shares with the new passengers what happened on the previous leg. He ends his message with heartfelt congratulations, and the cabin erupts in another round of applause. Our hearts swell all over again.

Just after touchdown on runway 24L, the iconic thrust reversers deploy with their signature roar. One last time, we soak up that special mixture of noise, vibrations, deceleration, and jet fuel aroma. We’re back in Montréal, but the magic of the day is not over yet.

We taxi to the stand and park beside a Canadian North 737-700. Even though the cabin is in full passenger configuration, deplaning happens via the rear stairs, as the jetbridge isn’t connected. We, however, stay onboard a little longer. Like a défilé, every passenger who exits quickly pauses at our row to offer congratulations. It’s humbling, surreal, and wonderful.

Once the cabin is empty, we take our time. We visit the cockpit, meet the pilots, snap some photos, and share a few final laughs with the crew. The atmosphere has become even more warm and personal, like having a great time to friends. We wrap up this unforgettable day with a group photo: Marieke and I standing in the aisle, surrounded by the entire crew, along with Rudi and Lewis. Smiles all around.

And then, at last, we say goodbye to our trusted companion for the day: “our” C-GMAI. She’s been a true star, and it feels almost emotional to leave her behind. Oh well, that is also the adrenaline and emotions of the day, isn't it? The Baby Boeing may rest now, ready to go back to work in the morning.

As we walk through the terminal with Nesrine and Farrah, they extend one final surprise as they  invite us to visit the Air Inuit FBO tomorrow for a behind-the-scenes tour, and to watch another 737-200 depart. Of course, we accept with big smiles and grateful hearts.

We part ways, wish them goodnight, and find our hotel shuttle. Back in the hotel room, the day finally catches up with us. The adrenaline fades, and exhaustion settles in.

What a day. Good night, and see you all tomorrow.

Thursday 17 April - Merci Air Inuit, Hello Florida! 

This morning, we wake up still trying to process everything that happened yesterday. What a whirlwind of a day! But before we can dive back into adventure mode, the first order of business is sharing the big news. So, we begin calling family and close friends to let them know the big news! Their excitement makes it all feel even more real.

With everyone notified and the first happy reactions rolling in, it's time to get our day started. We take one last look out of our hotel window, just in time to see an Air Creebec Dash 8 taking off, while a Canadian North 737 is being towed to the terminal. Montréal continues to serve up aviation eye candy, and the Sheraton hotel provides the right views.

After a nice hotel breakfast, we grab our bags and head to the car. From the parking lot, we spot Air Inuit’s newest fleet member, their Boeing 737-800, departing from the far runway. It's a sleek contrast to the vintage beauty we flew yesterday.

So, what’s the plan today? First up: a visit to the Air Inuit FBO, where we’ll meet up with Nesrine again. After that, we’ll return the rental car and check in for our next flight because we’re flying to Miami later today!

But first things first: let’s head to the FBO.

We are still a little early, so we take a moment to explore a bit. Just around the corner, in front of the Lockheed Martin building, we spot a couple of old jet engines on display. Of course, we can't resist checking them out and snapping a few photos. 

With our curiosity satisfied (for now), we head over to the Air Inuit FBO to kick off what promises to be another amazing day.

We ring the bell at the address Nesrine had given us, but before anyone even has a chance to answer, she’s already outside, greeting us with a big smile. She hands us our visitor badges and high-visibility sashes. Now we’re all set! Let’s go!

Our first stop is the FBO itself. As today a charter flight is preparing for departure, the place is buzzing with activity. Passengers are checking in, luggage is being processed, and the whole facility is alive with motion. Nesrine gives us a tour behind the scenes: crew rooms, baggage services, and check-in counters. It’s fascinating to see this side of the operation. Then it’s time to head outside and meet today’s star of the show.

Lined up on the apron are several aircraft, including a Dash 8-300 and a Boeing 737-300, but of course our eyes immediately lock onto the mighty Boeing 737-200, C-GSPW, being prepped for flight. Nesrine leads us around the aircraft, eager to show us the inside.

C-GSPW is the youngest of Air Inuit’s -200s. At "just" 43.6 years old, she’s a full 3.6 years younger than C-GMAI, the aircraft we flew yesterday. Unlike GMAI, GSPW has spent her entire life flying in the Canadian north. She first entered service in November 1981 with Pacific Western Airlines, already equipped with a gravel kit. She even has carried the same registration her whole life and joined Air Inuit in 2018 after being withdrawn from use by Canadian North.

Nesrine tells us this bird is the least favourite airframe for the crew to work on because she is the noisiest and has some inconvenient features in the cabin and galleys. Besides, GSPW holds the record for the most flight hours in Air Inuit’s fleet. Nesrine concludes that it might soon be time for her well-earned retirement. She would make a great parts-provider for the other two -200s, she chuckles. 

We climb aboard and immediately notice the differences from yesterday’s aircraft. The seats are a different model, and the most striking change is the position of the bulkhead, moved backward so that row 16 is now the first passenger row. That’s because the forward half of the cabin is loaded with cargo. Two large pallets, to be precise. Nesrine points to a black container mounted on the bulkhead. Inside are fire suits and equipment. Why? Because the cabin crew are also trained firefighters, ready to respond to any emergencies, also in the cargo compartment. Now that’s impressive!

Through a small door in the bulkhead, we’re guided into the cargo area itself, where the two pallets are securely strapped down and ready for the flight. As we’re taking it all in, the flight crew arrives, and we recognize a familiar face! Yesterday’s first officer is also flying this mission. The friendly vibe we experienced yesterday is just as strong today. You can tell the Air Inuit team genuinely enjoys working together. It really feels like a close-knit aviation family.

Then, yet another familiar face joins us: Farrah! The tiny forward galley is suddenly filled with chatter, laughter, and camaraderie. It’s getting a little cramped, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Amidst all the chatter and the tour, the first officer invites me to operate the cargo door. I toggle the right switch and watch in awe as the massive door slowly swings open. What a view! We now have a great view of the wing and the tiny JT8D engine framed perfectly in the opening. We’d seen these open cargo doors before at Nolinor, but it’s still a crazy sight, with the passenger cabin wall panels still visible on the inside of the cargo door. After taking it all in, I carefully close the door again.

It’s time for the pilots to begin their cockpit preparations, so we say goodbye and make our way outside again. Already we are so full of excitement. And it's only the beginning of the day!

With some time left before the flight departs, we head back inside for a tour of the office building. Nesrine walks us through the beating heart of Air Inuit’s operations: from the operational control center to sales, marketing, training facilities, and more. It’s fascinating to see how all these moving parts come together to keep the airline running as smoothly as it does.

We even get a peek at Nesrine’s own desk, which is easily the most colorful and delightfully chaotic workspace we’ve seen so far. She giggles and blushes, admitting she hasn’t had time to tidy it up. We laugh with her, it doesn’t matter. It’s great to see someone so clearly at home and happy in their element.

Next up: the hangar. Most of the aircraft are out flying today, so the space feels vast and quiet. Still, three Dash-8s are parked inside, including something special: a full freighter Dash-8 that was converted in-house by Air Inuit! They've installed a large cargo door, allowing standard-sized pallets to be loaded, far more efficient than the smaller doors typically found on Dash-8s, which only allow bulk loading. Everyone here is clearly proud of the achievement, and rightly so! It’s an impressive piece of ingenuity, adaptability and craftsmanship.

Eventually, it’s time to head back outside, as the 737-200 is almost ready to depart. Time to catch one last look at the legend before she takes to the skies. Let’s go!

We stroll around the hangar and find ourselves face-to-face with the 737-300 C-GFFN, still cozily tucked in under its covers. But right next to it, standing proud and nearly ready for departure, is our familiar friend: C-GSPW. As we pass by, the pilots lean out of their cockpit windows to give us a big wave, received with enthusiastic cheer by us! What a moment! 

We position ourselves strategically near the baggage belt to catch the best view of the departure. Since the front half of the cabin is already packed with cargo, passenger boarding happens swiftly. The airstairs retract, the doors close, and the aircraft is ready to go. The pushback driver gets into position, the beacon starts flashing, and with the parking brakes released, the old Boeing is slowly pulled into her startup position.

As we’re watching, a ground crew member approaches us. Instead of being suspicious about our presence, he grins and asks, “Why are you still standing here? Come get a better view!” Before we know it, he’s leading us across the tarmac and what happens next is nothing short of plain aviation madness.

We find ourselves walking right alongside the 737 just as it begins engine start. We’re almost under the wing, with the JT8Ds roaring just meters away. The engines come to life and the sound is deafening in the best possible way.

Quickly, we’re ushered across the apron to a patch of grass right beside the taxiway, the perfect front-row seat. With startup complete, the towbar and tug are disconnected and pulled aside, when the crew gets taxi clearance. The scream of the engines grows louder as C-GSPW begins to roll straight toward us. The pilots flick on their taxi light and wave one final goodbye as they taxi past, so close we could practically high-five them.

The aircraft makes its way to the runway 24R threshold, awaiting takeoff clearance. A cheeky “boo! Go away!” rises from the group as an Air Transat A321neo briefly blocks our view. The mood is electric, laughter fills the air. Pure plane geek joy.

Then it happens: a rumble that shakes the ground, indicating that the pilots have found the throttle levers. The rumble increases, the brakes release, and C-GSPW thunders down the runway. With a graceful leap, she lifts off, nudged by the strong winds or maybe, the pilots are offering us one final wing wave. I like to believe the latter. Either way, it’s magic.

Only then do we realize just how cold it’s gotten out here. The wind bites through our jackets, and our fingers are numb. Time to head back inside, through the hangar again towards the Air Inuit crew canteen for a short afterparty.  We sip hot chocolate, snack on donuts, and relive the past 48 hours with smiles we can’t wipe off our faces. Then, Nesrine shows up, grinning, holding a box of Tim Hortons donuts “for the ultimate Canadian experience,” she jokes. And just like that, a loud cheer erupts. It’s the perfect closing chapter to an unforgettable visit.

Eventually, the clock catches up with us as it’s time to head for our own flight. We hug Nesrine and Farrah goodbye, our hearts absolutely full. We don’t want to leave. We could have stayed here for hours more, soaking in the stories, the laughter, the company.

Girls, thank you so much for everything. You and the Air Inuit family made us feel not just welcome, but at home. What started as a plan to propose on a vintage airliner became something so much more: a deeply human, unforgettable experience we never dared to dream of. You absolutely rock, and we hopey truly hat our paths will cross again soon.

We return our rental car and make our way to the check-in area at Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. After checking our bags and getting our boarding passes, it’s time to part ways with Rudi. While we’re heading south to continue our now-celebratory trip in Florida, Rudi is sticking around in Canada a bit longer. He’s flying to Toronto to visit family and, of course, to kick off his own plane spotting adventure there. Be sure to follow him on YouTube.  One of his latest videos is even featured in this blog (the Air Canada 787 Dreamliner!).

While Rudi heads off to the domestic terminal, we join the growing line for international departures. For anyone unfamiliar: when flying from Canada to the U.S., you clear U.S. immigration right here in Canada, meaning that even before boarding, you’re already “in” the United States. Sounds efficient in theory, but the queue today moves at a glacial pace. By the time we finally get through, our flight is already boarding. Definitely not the smooth, relaxed airport experience we’re used to. Oh well.

We make a quick pit stop to pick up our souvenir magnet (traditions are traditions, after all!) and then join the queue at the gate.

Our flight today is Air Canada Rouge flight AC1652, operated by C-GBHO, a 27.4-year-old Airbus A319. We’re in the last row, seats 32E and 32F. And apparently, nobody is in a rush, because it takes forever before we finally begin pushback. While we wait, we spot Rudi’s Dash-8 Q400 taking off in the distance. Bye, man! Thanks for everything. We’re so glad you were part of this special adventure!

As we taxi out, we spot an Austrian Airlines 767-300ER sandwiched between two Air Transats. Wait a minute, that is OE-LAE! That’s the very first 767 we ever flew together, on our Vienna–Frankfurt hop back in 2019. What are the odds?

As we head toward runway 24R, we get a final glimpse of the parked Embraer 120, and the Air Inuit hangar, with the 737-300 still covered up, proudly showing its Esher-like livery.  What a special airline, the Inuit community can truly be proud.

We take the runway, begin our takeoff roll, and lift off. Just as we climb out, we spot two aircraft carcasses, long since retired. As we turn south, we officially begin our journey to Miami.

Air Canada Rouge doesn’t exactly have a sterling reputation for comfort or service, and now we start to understand why. The seats are cramped, the catering is buy-on-board only, and the interior definitely shows its age. In short: a far cry from the comfortable 737-200 we were spoiled with yesterday!

Thankfully, the skies are clear and the views are fantastic. We play our usual game of aerial geography, trying to identify cities and airports from above. One particularly big urban area grabs our attention. It's clearly not New York, we're too far west. Washington, D.C.? Nope, the layout doesn’t match. Then it hits us: Philadelphia! Ding ding ding, correct!

Further south, we pass over Dover Air Force Base, spotting C-17s, C-5 Galaxies, and the Air Mobility Command Museum from the sky. Soon after, we cross the Atlantic coastline, flying southward over open water.

As we continue on our straight-line southern course, the coastline begins to curve eastward and catches up to us again. But where exactly are we rejoining land? Cape Canaveral? Jacksonville? We're not sure, until we begin to see major airports down below. We briefly think it’s Fort Lauderdale, but nope, it’s West Palm Beach! Then we spot Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, followed by the massive Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. Got it.

Now the aircraft begins a gentle right turn into the greater Miami area. From above, the turquoise waters, golden beaches, and rows of high-rise hotels give us that instantly recognizable Miami vibe. We pass over Opa-locka Executive Airport, which is swarming with private jets. Can’t wait to explore that airport from the ground!

Then comes a steep left turn to line up for final approach to runway 12. After touching down, the crew announces that our arrival gate is still occupied, so we’ll have to hold at a waiting spot. While taxiing, we spot a familiar face: a World Atlantic Airlines MD-83, glinting in the Florida sun. We've seen this bird before, back in October at Laredo, Texas, so it’s like running into an old friend.

Eventually, the gate opens and we disembark from the tight little A319. Not the best flight by any means, but it got us here. Now it’s time to grab our bags, pick up the rental car, and officially kick off the next chapter of our trip.

Florida, baby, let’s go!

Is it just us, or is Miami International Airport one of the most crappy airports to arrive at?

We land at the far side of Terminal J, but to get to baggage claim, we’re directed down to ground level. Then, with our bags collected, we need to find the Skytrain. So, we need to go up again to Level 3, only to walk what feels like half a marathon westbound, following a zigzag trail of signs to the MIA Mover Skytrain. Once there? You guessed it: NO! We're sent back down to ground level, then through a long, winding path toward the airport’s central hub. From there, it's up again to Level 2, and finally we reach the Skytrain station. It’s hot, humid, and we are tired from all the walking.

At least the train ride itself makes up for the chaos. From the MIA Mover, we spot some absolute aviation gems parked along the northern edge of the field: a classic Skybus DC-8, the TAB Bolivia DC-10 that we heared but didn't properly see in Buenos Aires, a Qatar Emiri Flight A340, and even a brightly painted Boeing 727. Just a few minutes on a train, and we’re already ticking off some legendary airframes. What a start to our Florida leg!

Once at the rental facility, we pick up our car and head to our hotel: the Hyatt Place Miami Airport East. We check in and make our way to our room, and wow, what a view! All the aviation relics we just spotted from the train are now parked right outside our window. Plus, we’ve got a full vantage point over the two northern runways. This place is going to be an absolute haven for aircraft watching.

We throw ourselves onto the bed, a mix of exhaustion and joy settling in after another eventful day. For dinner, we keep it simple with some delicious Pollo Tropical, and spend the rest of the evening soaking up the views and runway action from our window.

A room with a view, some legendary aircraft, and the Florida leg of our trip just beginning. Good night from Miami!

Friday 18 April - Miami Spotting: Finding Hidden Gems

Rise and shine, everybody! The sun is already out and as we pull back the curtains, we’re greeted by the non-stop action of aircraft departing from Miami International Airport. What a perfect sight to start the day! Naturally, first things first: fire up Flightradar24, get the cameras ready, and enjoy the show.

Today's game plan? Start with some laid-back spotting from our hotel room, then head out to explore the airport, make a stop at the Airplane Shop, and figure out the rest of the day from there. Sounds like a solid plan to us, so we’re sticking to it.

In just a short time, we catch some real aviation gems through our clean hotel windows, perfect for photography. Among the highlights: an Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 Classic, an ABX Air 767 freighter, and a majestic UPS MD-11. A few familiar faces also fly past, like the Kalitta Charters 737-300F, the American Airlines retro-liveried 737, and of course, the beautifully polished World Atlantic Airways MD-83.

With that last one in the bag, we give each other the nod: time for more pressing matters… breakfast.

Fueled up and ready to roll. With our stomachs happily filled with hashbrowns, bacon, waffles, and yogurt, we grab our gear and head out for the day. First stop: the George T. Baker Aviation Technical College, home to an impressive little collection of aircraft parked on the school's parking lot. Among the highlights: an American Airlines MD-82 (N234AA), a former Frontier Boeing 737-200 (N205AU), and even a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. We take a few quick shots and move on.

Next, we cruise over to the northern part of Miami Airport, just to explore every dead-end road and see what surprises the airport's backside might hold.

And wow, we score some hidden gems. We stumble upon another World Atlantic MD-83 in storage: engines removed, windows taped up, but still looking surprisingly sharp. On the other side of the parking lot, an Atlas Air 747-400BCF is in maintenance, and behind it: an all-white MD-87, an IFL Group Convair 580, and a 7Air Cargo 737-800F. Unfortunately, most of the area is fenced off, so getting clean shots proves impossible . But hey, spotting is as much about the hunt as it is about the photo.

We roll on and find ourselves near the IBC Air facilities, where several Saab 340Bs and an Embraer 145 are parked. But it's clear that Miami is in flux as there are major construction everywhere. A lot of the spots we’d scoped out on Google Maps are now either blocked off, repurposed, or completely bulldozed. A bit of a letdown, but such is life in aviation: always changing. If only we had a time machine...

Next up: the iconic El Dorado spotting spot. Named after the furniture store that shares the location, El Dorado is the place to catch arrivals on runway 9. We park up, cameras ready. Not a ton of interesting traffic at the moment, but we don’t have to wait long for the arrival of a highlight: the Silver Bullet, our favorite MD-83, soaring in for another smooth landing. That alone makes it worth it.

With that beauty on the ground, our minds turn to lunch. Someone tipped us off about a nearby aviation-themed restaurant: the 94th Aero Squadron. Aviation, food, and runway views? Say no more. Let’s check it out.

Getting to the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant is a bit of a traffic maze: twists, turns, and a few “wait, is this the right road?” moments, but eventually we find the parking lot. It’s surprisingly large, and surprisingly empty. A replica P-38 Lightning sits proudly in the garden out front, setting the tone. But oddly enough, the entrance isn’t where we expected: it’s tucked around the back of the building.

The place is well-themed, with vintage aviation decor and a warm, savory smell that hits as soon as we step inside. But the vibe is… a little off. Apart from one other family, the restaurant is basically empty, and it seems like they’re setting up for a private event, maybe a wedding? Still, we’re welcomed and led to a table with a lovely view of the garden and, of course, the runway beyond.

Of course, our timing is impeccably ironic. Just as we sit down, the good stuff starts coming by: an Arajet special livery, a TACA retrojet from Avianca, and then KLM Cargo’s majestic blue 747 comes in. Perfect. And naturally, the high perimeter fence means we can’t get a single decent photo. Classic. But hey, we’ve got more days ahead, and we can’t catch everything, even though we would love to.

What we do catch though, is some incredible food. The BBQ ribs are tender and packed with flavor, and the burger is stacked, juicy, and delicious. Service is excellent too: water glasses never go empty, and our server is friendly and attentive. And then… the iguanas show up.

That’s right. While we’re enjoying our meal and trying to sneak glances at whatever is taxiing past, our attention is hijacked by several massive iguanas casually strutting through the garden below our window. We’re talking zoo-sized reptiles, just doing their thing. We know they’re technically an invasive species here in Florida, but wow, they’re fascinating to watch. Little green dinosaurs with lazy swagger.

It’s a bit of an odd lunch overall: half aviation spotting, half mini safari, but we’re loving it. Great food, wild creatures, and enough airplane action to make us twitch with excitement. It’s only our first full day in Florida, and already, it’s one for the books. We agree that we will continue our day by driving to a differrent airport: Miami Executive Airport. But first, finish those ribs.. Yum! 

With our stomachs stretched and looking six months pregnant but satisfied we wave goodbye to our scaly green lunch companions and head off toward Miami Executive Airport. Since we’re avoiding toll roads, we take the scenic route, winding our way through some charming local neighborhoods. One that stands out: Killian Palms Country Club, a surreal blend of suburbia and golf course living. It’s a full-blown residential area built right onto the fairways, so yes, wild golf carts can roam freely. Proceed with caution!

Eventually, we arrive at the airport and get down to business: time for some proper exploring. Miami Executive (formerly known as Tamiami) is a known haven for obscure and parked aircraft, so we go full detective mode. Every dead-end road, every hidden driveway, every hangar with a half-open door is fair game.

And the finds don’t disappoint. First, a former SAP (Servicios Aéreos Profesionales) Jetstream 31, tail number N875AZ, looking tired but still striking. Nearby, an ex-American Eagle Saab 340B (N236AE) sits grounded, its commuter days clearly behind it. We also come across a fascinating IAI Westwind which looks like it's parked in the same spot so long, it may as well have grown roots.

But then, two much larger shapes catch our eyes: a white Airbus A320, and just beside it a stunning Boeing 737-500 in a flashy custom livery. The 737 immediately grabs our attention. So, we do what any aviation lover would do: park the car and seek permission.

I walk into the adjacent FBO and ask, politely, optimistically, if I might take a few photos of the 737. The agent is kind but declines, explaining it’s not their aircraft, nor on their ramp. He recommends trying the neighboring facility. Appreciative of his honesty, I walk around, but there are no other obvious doors. Just one partially open hangar with a single side door.

Inside, a few mechanics are deep into disassembling a bright red Robinson helicopter. I try to get their attention. One of them notices me, sees the camera, and, before I can even open my mouth, smiles and he enthusiatiscally invites me in! That was easy, ha!

The man then tells me I could take all the photos I want, of all the planes around here. I just need to be careful, as there might be planes starting up or taxiing. I am speechless, but I recognize a good opportunity when I see one, so I start shooting. There are numerous of small props parked all over the place. I also see that a King Air is being prepared for departure, so I keep my distance. After all, this man who let me in is the only guy who knows that I am here. 

Behind all the tiny planes, some dusty Hawker jets are stored, some of which carry a Venezuelan registration. I have my suspicions why these planes are here, so I try to keep a low profile. I snap my shots and leave for the main goal of this mission: the stunningly painted Boeing 737-500 N972EX. This bird has some history. First delivered to Braathens in 1990, it later flew for SAS before being transformed into a VIP jet in 2014. The eye-catching paint job came a year later, and since then, it’s been drifting through various storage locations like a nomadic aristocrat.

Seeing it here, in the flesh, even if it’s just soaking up Florida sun, feels like hitting the jackpot. Classics like this are rare finds these days, especially ones with such character.

I thank the guy who let me in and let myself out again to catch up with Marieke, to explain her all that just happened. 

With our camera batteries holding strong and the Florida sun still doing its thing, we continue our hunt around Miami Executive Airport. Our next stop takes us to one of the many flight schools on-site, and what a discovery we make here.

Sitting quietly off to the side is an absolute legend of a machine: a Beech JRB-6 Expediter, registered HH-JBD. This old warbird has definitely earned its stripes. Born in 1943 as a SNB-1 for the U.S. Navy (Bureau Number 39796), it was later converted in 1964 to the PAC Tradewind tri-gear configuration by Airborne Electronics out of Memphis, Tennessee. Since then, it’s passed through a long list of owners and tail numbers. While it’s clearly been parked for a while here, it still looks remarkably good with just a few rusty patches as evidence of time.

Next up: we head to the most obvious place to find classic aircraft: the museum. Unfortunately, it’s closed today, but we still manage to snap some shots through the fence. A MiG-21 greets us near a quirky collection of airframes, including a Republic RC-3 SeaBee. Sadly, the sun isn’t doing us any favors in this direction, so we chalk it up as a quick win and move on.

Continuing around to the south side of the field, we strike pure gold: three Convair C-131F Samaritans, in full Conquest Air Cargo livery. Just a week before our Canadian adventure began, new regulations forced all cargo operations to leave Opa Locka and it looks like Conquest has brought its classics right here to Tamiami.

Two of the aircraft are parked awkwardly close to the double fence, making decent photography nearly impossible. But the third? Positioned perfectly. It is an absolute beauty, and a rare catch. These Convairs are quickly disappearing from the skies, so to spot them up close, in working (or recently working) condition, is a real treat.

We score a few more nice surprises before wrapping up: a clean, white Gulfstream II with the Mexican registration XB-RPY, and a scale-replica Mustang parked neatly nearby, looking fierce despite its size.

We round off our afternoon with a stop at the airport’s memorial display, which features a striking Douglas B-26 Invader painted in the Cuban Air Force livery. Miami Executive may not have the sheer volume of heavy metal that its bigger sibling to the north does, but it absolutely shines when it comes to aviation character. Between warbirds, freighters, jets, and relics, there’s a little of everything tucked away in its corners. And that’s exactly what we came here for. Now let's get back to MIA, while trying again to avoid hitting a golf cart!

Mission accomplished: no golf carts were harmed on our scenic drive back to MIA. With the sun beginning its slow descent over South Florida, we decide there’s just enough light left for one more stop at El Dorado.

We pull in and set up shop to catch a few arrivals in challenging evening light. Our patience pays off quickly: a Bahamasair 737, a Global X Cargo A321F, and the always eye-catching American Airlines TWA Heritage 737 all come in beautifully. The light takes a noticeable dip with the arrival of the green Avianca Cargo A330. We agree: that’s our cue to pack up here and move on, but not to call it a day just yet.

Tonight, we’re on a mission to spot something we have not seen before: a Shorts 360. And let’s be honest, it’s a plane that’s so uniquely odd, it becomes strangely lovable by default.

We head to another location near the threshold of runway 12, where the airport authorities have thoughtfully installed camera holes into the perimeter fence. As we settle in, we catch a few final highlights: a pink Copa Airlines special livery, and a Kalitta Charters 737-300F, both making their way past in the twilight.

And then, it happens: the unmistakable silhouette of the Shorts 360 comes into view. With its square fuselage, stumpy wings, and signature tail, it looks more like a shipping container with propellers than an actual aircraft. But as the Flying Box kisses the runway beneath a canvas of fading blues and oranges, it’s... well, kind of awesome. There it is, our first Shorts 360 in the books!

The light is all but gone now. We wait for the Bahamasair 737 to lift off one more time, and then call it a day. What a way to end the day. Now it's time for a well-deserved Panda Express dinner, because nothing says celebration of success like orange chicken and noodles after a long day of chasing aircraft.

Back at the hotel, the only thing on our minds is reviewing the day’s shots and resting up for tomorrow’s adventures. The Florida skies are treating us well so far, let’s keep this momentum going. It is almost hard to believe that two days ago, we were still in freezing temperatures getting engaged in a Boeing 737-200. Crazy how things go!

Saturday 19 April - Miami Spotting: Finding Hidden Gems Pt. 2

Time really does fly when you're having fun. It’s already our second and final morning here at the Hyatt Place, and just like yesterday, we kick things off with the same perfect routine: spot planes until we’re hungry, then stuff ourselves at the breakfast buffet, and return for more spotting. That was the plan, until we saw something on Flightradar that shook things up: an Aloha Air Cargo 767 is inbound.

This is one of those planes we’ve consistently missed so far, and we’re not letting it slip through again. So, with waffles in our bellies and cameras in hand, we jump in the car and head back to our trusted favorite: El Dorado.

And it pays off. We get a clean, satisfying shot of the Aloha bird. As always, bonus catches keep the shutter clicking. We snag a few more familiar faces: an Aerolineas Argentinas 737-800BCF, the same aircraft we caught a glimpse of last year in Buenos Aires, and all three active World Atlantic MD-83s doing their thing. Plus, a departure from another old friend, the green Avianca Cargo A330.

After the rush, it’s time to head back to the hotel one last time, as we’ve got to pack up and check out. As we soak up the final minutes of that unbeatable window view, it’s clear: this hotel is going to be hard to top. The action was great, and the lineup at the ramp before our window is still perfect: the SkyBus DC-8 and TAB Bolivia DC-10, neither of which have moved in the past two days.

According to the company itself, the DC-10 only operates on weekends, so maybe today or tomorrow we’ll get lucky. But the DC-8, expected to fly only during week days, but appears to be grounded for the time being. Due to ongoing violence in Port-au-Prince, its destination airport is closed until further notice. A real bummer, we were holding out hope to finally see a DC-8 in action at last.

Still, before we go, we get one last visual treat: a Bahamasair 737 and an American Airlines A321 in the PSA Heritage livery. It's a fitting farewell to one of the most memorable hotel views we’ve ever had.

We check out, give our room one last look, and say goodbye. Time to get moving again.

So, we get moving. First stop of the day: the airport that was once a true paradise for planespotters. We’d read reports of countless classics being stored here, even some Antonov 12s, and untill recently there were flying DC-3s and Convairs. We’re talking about Opa Locka Airport. We were genuinely excited about visiting this promising place, only to discover that almost everything we’d hoped for is now gone.

Sure, there are dozens of business jets scattered around, and fortunately, a few airliners still linger in the storage area. But with the DC-3 and Convair operations now just a memory, the place feels more like an exclusive executive hub, one where visitors aren’t exactly welcome. The atmosphere is far from inviting.

Still, we’re lucky enough to spot an IFL Group Convair 580 that’s still operational, even though it doesn’t look like it's going anywhere anytime soon. And yes, there are definitely some cool aircraft around, no doubt about that. But sadly, the magic we were hoping for just isn’t there anymore.

As always, we explore every road and dead end, snapping shots whenever we can, before saying goodbye to Opa Locka and heading off to our next stop.

Our next destination is Fort Lauderdale Airport, with a quick stop at North Perry Airfield along the way. On the northern side of North Perry, we find an aviation college with some interesting aircraft in its backyard, including a Boeing 727 and a Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard. After checking those out, we drive around the rest of the airfield, hoping to discover a few more hidden gems. However, most of the aircraft here are small general aviation types, not exactly photo-worthy. So, we move on to FLL!

At Fort Lauderdale, there are two runways, each with its own designated plane spotting location, really well done, actually, and offering some fantastic views. We start at the southern runway, where we spot a Boeing 767 parked at the FBO. This blue jet, decorated with printed clouds, operates as a private jet for none other than rapper Drake! The “Drakejet” is still operated by the Canadian company Cargojet, and it’s definitely a special plane to see. Nice!

Since there’s not much activity happening at the southern runway, we make our way over to the northern spotting point. Here, we catch a bit more action with some aircraft in eye-catching liveries. Southwest brings in their Arizona One special, Silver Airways rolls by with three different liveries, and American Airlines takes off in an A321 sporting the retro America West heritage colors. Not a bad catch at all!

As things quiet down a bit, we decide to explore the north side of the airport. It turns out to be a good call, we manage to find a few cool hidden gems, like an old Allegiant MD-83 with only the rudder still showing traces of its former livery, and a beautifully polished amphibian TSC-1A2 Teal II nicknamed “Baby Shark.”

Our main goal at this airport was to track down Florida Air Cargo, which used to operate out of Opa Locka with a fleet of three Douglas DC-3s. We find two of them here, but unfortunately, there's no action today. A bit of a bummer, but still, it’s great to have seen them.

With that, we decide to take the scenic coastal route back to Miami.

We take the coastal route south, all the way to Miami South Beach. What a drive, and what a vibe! Luxury hotels, swaying palm trees, flashy sports cars and topless Jeeps, girls in bikinis, and surf dudes with sun-kissed muscles, it all screams that iconic Miami atmosphere. Every movie or TV show ever filmed here? It turns out, they weren't exaggerating. This is the real deal. It honestly feels like we’ve driven straight into a movie or video game. The traffic might not flow quite as smoothly as we’d like, but we’re loving every minute. Miami, baby!

Eventually, we reach South Beach and make a right turn toward the airport. Just as we’re in the next traffic jam, a massive cruise ship glides into port beside us. What a behemoth! Finally, we arrive at our hotel, hoping for that perfect airport view we sort of anticipated. But… no luck. Turns out the building houses two hotels: Tru by Hilton and Homewood Suites. We’re staying in Tru, which means no rooms above the third floor, and instead of a runway, we get a perfect view of the parking garage.

Fortunately, the shared top-floor lounge and café do have that panoramic airport view we were hoping for, so not all is lost.

Just as we’re settling in to soak it up, we check Flightradar, and there it is: the TAB DC-10 is on the move! We scramble downstairs, jump into the car, and race to the spotting holes near Runway 12, hoping to catch it in action. Thankfully, there’s a long lineup of departures, so it should take a bit before the -10 gets its turn.

When we arrive, we spot the DC-10 indeed moving… but it’s being towed. That means it's not departing, it’s being repositioned, likely to the cargo area on the airport’s southern side. We hop back in the car and head to El Dorado for a better vantage point to confirm where it's headed.

Good news: it’s being towed to the westernmost cargo bay, which happens to have a staff parking deck that offers a phenomenal view of the apron. Perfect for later because we know that’s where we’ll head next to take some night shots of this beauty.

But for now? Time to refuel ourselves with some orange chicken at Panda Express, conveniently just a one-minute walk from our hotel. Not bad at all!

And then tonight’s grand finale: a night shoot of the stunning TAB Bolivia McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (MD-10), registration CP-2791, alongside two Atlas Air Boeing 747s. What a sight! So close, and under the lights! We take our time capturing this beauty as it's being prepped for loading. The lighting, the size, the atmosphere—it’s absolutely spectacular.

Since this isn’t an official spotting location and technically sits on private property, we make sure not to overstay our welcome. Once we've taken all the shots we want, we quietly pack up and call it a night.

Back to Tru we go, it’s time to get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll be out spotting again, though it it won’t be many aircraft actually! 

Sunday 20 April - See You Later, Alligator!

After a solid night’s sleep, we wake up full of excitement as another day of adventure awaits! Today’s “hunt” will be a bit different though, as we won’t be spotting many airplanes. Instead, we’re trading runways for wetlands with a visit to Everglades National Park, in hopes of catching a glimpse of some real-life alligators!

But first: breakfast. No expedition starts without a proper meal, so we make our way upstairs to the buffet. And wow, what a view! There’s just something special about enjoying your morning waffles with sweeping panoramas of Miami Airport in the background. Tempting as it is to linger, we’ve got a tram tour booked at 10:00 AM, so once we’ve fueled up, we grab our gear, pile into the car, and hit the road.

Gators, here we come!

The drive today takes about an hour and, for 99% of the time, it’s a dead-straight shot west. These endless straight roads are still a bit of a novelty to our European brains, as we just don't have those back on our continent. As we leave the urban sprawl behind, the landscape slowly shifts to the wild wetlands of the Everglades.

Unfortunately, a fair bit of construction is going on, which takes away some of the magic. But soon, we spot a small clearing off the roadside that’s used as a makeshift parking area, mostly for locals looking to reel in a catch. We pull over for a quick stroll, and it’s instantly worth it. Wildlife is everywhere! Three vultures are hopping around some leftover trash like they’re attending a buffet, and the trees and skies are full of birds. And then, there it is: our very first alligator of the day! Just casually chilling in the water, like it’s no big deal. Nice! Still, we’ve got places to be, so back into the car we go. Gator count: one and climbing.

Eventually, we veer off the long, straight road and take a left into Shark Valley, part of the official Everglades National Park. The road leading to the visitor center runs alongside a canal that’s absolutely teeming with life. We spot gars (those long, prehistoric-looking fish), anhingas (fluffy sleek black water birds), and yes, more alligators swimming right by the roadside. And we’re not even through the gate yet! Thankfully, there’s no one behind us, because we’re crawling along at the pace of a curious turtle. There's just so much to see.

We finally park at the visitor center and have about half an hour to kill before the tram tour begins. Naturally, we wander back to the canal to soak up the wildlife. Fish are constantly leaping from the water, gators glide silently beneath the surface, and birds of every color and shape flap, perch, and sing around us. One sound catches our ear: a bright, crisp note from a little red bird. It looks like it’s auditioning for a certain slingshot-based mobile game ready to attack some green pigs... yep, it’s a red cardinal! We’ve never seen one in real life before, and it’s every bit as charming as its animated counterpart.

Eventually, it’s time to report to the “station”, our tram tour is about to begin. Time to roll deeper into gator country!

Our tram tour kicks off with an introduction to one of the park’s more famous residents: a big female alligator who’s made her “home” just steps from the visitor center. And lucky for us, she’s in today, casually basking in the sun like a true Everglades queen. Our guide warns us that we won’t be stopping for every alligator we come across, otherwise the tour would stretch on for over five hours! Fair enough. With that, we continue our leisurely drive southbound toward the Shark Valley Observation Tower.

Interestingly, Shark Valley’s roads weren’t always part of the National Park. The land was once owned by a petrochemical company that hoped to drill for oil in the Everglades. But nature had other plans as the swampy terrain made it nearly impossible to navigate, let alone drill. Eventually, the company gave up and donated the land to the National Park Service, who have been its careful stewards ever since. Fun twist: the observation tower we’re heading to? Originally designed as—you guessed it—a drilling rig. 

Not long after, our driver brings us to a stop again, this time for something absolutely heart-melting: BABY GATORSSSSS!!! Tiny, striped, and absurdly cute, some of the hatchlings are waddling playfully through the grass, while others sunbathe just like mom. Speaking of Mama Gator, she’s eagerly watching her little ones, and us, from across the road. The babies’ tiger-like stripes will fade as they grow older, but right now, they’re basically prehistoric kittens. After soaking up the moment (and about a hundred photos), our driver gently eases the tram back into motion, leaving the gator family in peace.

As we continue our journey south, the alligator sightings come thick and fast. So many, in fact, that we completely lose count. They’re everywhere! But it’s not just a gator-fest out here; the skies and waters are bursting with life. We spot ibises, elegant roseate spoonbills with their bright pink plumage, anhingas drying their wings, and even a few swallow-tailed kites soaring gracefully above us.

There’s just so much to see, and the best part? You don’t even have to look for it. The wildlife is simply there, all around us, as if the Everglades are putting on a show just for fun. It’s wild, it’s raw, it’s beautiful, and honestly, it’s really, really cool. 

Lucky for us, we’re still in the dry season, which turns out to be a major win on multiple fronts. With much of the swamp dried up, the alligators tend to gather around the remaining puddles, either the ones they’ve dug themselves or the little water pockets near the drainage pipes under the road. The result? Prime gator-spotting conditions, with most of them conveniently lounging right by the roadside. It’s like they’ve set up a meet-and-greet for passing visitors.

And as if that weren’t enough good news, here’s another bonus: no mosquitoes! One of the unsung perks of the dry season, and we’re not complaining. Not getting eaten alive while gator-watching is a win-win in our book. 

As we arrive at the observation tower, we’re greeted by yet another gator family. This time, a watchful mama surrounded by her adorable little swamp-puppies. She doesn’t seem too thrilled about our presence and slips into the water, keeping a wary eye on us from a safe distance. The babies, however, couldn’t care less. They’re too busy doing what baby gators do best: gatoring around, exploring, and generally just being tiny prehistoric bundles of joy.

Our guide tells us we’ve been pretty lucky today. Apparently, gators aren’t exactly known for being hyperactive. Most visitors show up expecting to see alligators strutting around or putting on some kind of show, only to find them… doing nothing. Which, to be fair, is how they spend most of their time. According to our guide, if a gator gets hungry, it’ll kill something and eat it, and then pretty much flop down and chill for the rest of the week.

So to have seen them swimming and moving? Yeah, we’re counting ourselves lucky.

We don’t have a ton of time at the observation tower, and to be honest, while the views from the top are impressive, we’re way more drawn to the baby gators down below. So after snapping a few obligatory shots from above, we quickly make our way back down to soak up a few more moments with the real stars of the show.

Before long, it’s time to hop back on the tram and begin the journey back to the visitor center. What a ride this has been! From alligator families to bird-filled skies, we’ve seen an incredible slice of Everglades life. This tour absolutely delivered. Wildlife galore!

Back at the visitor center, we thank our guide, refill our water bottles, and hop back into the car, still buzzing from everything we’ve just experienced.

We get back on the road, heading out of the wild and back toward the urban edge. But we’re not done with the Everglades for today. Next up: the main section of Everglades National Park, known for its many scenic trails. We’d heard great things about the Anhinga Trail in particular, so we set our sights on that.

After a solid hour of driving, we finally arrive at the trailhead. Even though the same kinds of animals live here as in Shark Valley, the vibe feels completely different. The water is almost entirely blanketed with leaves, giving the whole area a quieter, more mysterious atmosphere. It also makes spotting wildlife a bit trickier.

Still, with a bit of patience, we see plenty of turtles, a few gators, and vultures circling overhead and anhingas doing their wing-drying poses. There are also some truly beautiful plants along the trail, adding splashes of green and color to the otherwise shadowy water.

All in all, we’re glad we came. It’s a different side of the Everglades, quieter, more subdued, and a little harder to read. Compared to the action-packed vibe of Shark Valley, this place is definitely more on the shy side. But that contrast makes it all the more interesting.

We set off on yet another hour-long drive, heading all the way down to Flamingo, which is home to another visitor center and the southernmost point on the mainland United States. Only the Florida Keys lie farther south. Down here, the waters turn saltier, which means fewer alligators and, with a bit of luck, a chance to spot their rarer cousin: the American crocodile. Flamingo Marina is also well-known for its gentle local celebrities: the manatees.

After parking the car, we head toward the visitor center, but before we even get there, a friendly local lady stops us in our tracks. With great excitement, she points us toward the marina. Apparently, there are three crocodiles hanging out there right now! So, we hurry towards the marina and sure enough, we spot them: three living, breathing logs floating silently in the mangroves. They may not be doing much, but their rougher scales and sharply pointed snouts set them apart from the gators we saw earlier. Very cool to finally see them in the wild as well.

Above us, ospreys glide through the air, circling the area as they guard their nests. It’s Florida-style hot, so we slowly head back toward the visitor center. On the way, we catch sight of something large stirring in the marina waters. Manatees! Even though they mostly stay submerged, every now and then one lifts its snout for a breath. These gentle giants may not put on a show, but they’re absolutely charming to watch. Calm, slow, and weirdly adorable.

Eventually, we make it inside the visitor center, which also offers a beautiful overlook in the direction of the Keys. As the day winds down, we take one last stroll back to the marina for a final look at the crocs, the manatees, and the soaring ospreys.

Then it’s time to hit the road again: a solid two-plus hour drive back to our hotel. But what a day it’s been! Packed with wildlife, sunshine, and unforgettable views. Only one thing can stop us now on the way back: Panda Express. 😄

Monday 21 April - Roadtrip Northbound

This morning we start the day with a quick breakfast before heading towards Fort Lauderdale. But first, there’s something potentially very exciting on the radar. According to Flightradar24, the IFL Convair is scheduled to depart this morning from Opa Locka Airport. A flying Convair is still on our to-catch-list. So we throw on the afterburners and make our way to Opa Locka in a hurry.

When we arrive, the Convair is already on the ramp, doors wide open which is a promising sight. We park the car, grab our gear, and settle in to wait. A bit of time passes. Then, a vehicle rolls up to the nose of the aircraft. A man steps out... carrying a vacuum cleaner. Not exactly the kind of crew we were hoping to see at this point, but, we shall see.

He boards the plane, and we wait some more. Time ticks by. Eventually, Mr. Clean emerges again, finishes up, and starts sealing things up. Cargo door closed. Main door closed. And then? He just... leaves.

Well bugger, that’s it. No Convair flight today after all. We gave it our best shot, but it wasn’t meant to be. Still, the light is great, heat haze still at a minimum, so we are happy to at least have seen it.

We pack up, shrug it off, and head to the next destination: Fort Lauderdale, with hopes (and a few prayers) for some DC-3 action instead. Fingers crossed!

As we arrive back at Fort Lauderdale International, we head straight for our usual spot near the northern runway. On the way in, we make a quick pit stop near the “Drakejet” area, just in time to catch a vibrant Azul A330 lifting off into the morning sky. A nice splash of color to kick things off here!

With that one in the bag, we settle in and wait for more. There’s a decent bit of action, but unfortunately nothing out of the ordinary. No sign of our beloved DC-3s. After a while, we decide to swing by the DC-3 ramp again, just to see what's going on there, and if we eventually do get lucky.

But as we roll into the familiar parking lot, the answer is clear: both Florida Air Cargo DC-3s are still wrapped up tight, resting quietly in the Florida sun. No crew, no loaders, no hint of movement. Second vintage disappointment of the day, but hey, that’s the game.

As we drive off, mildly defeated, the universe throws us a curveball: a blue locomotive rumbles by. So, we pull over for a bit of spontaneous trainspotting. Why not, right?

With a few quick shots snapped, we shift gears once again and head toward Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport for a new round of aviation hunting. Let's gooo!

Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport is known for its stash of vintage jets. Some tucked away, others still working for a living. From the official observation area, we expected to spot at least two stored Saab 340s, but no luck. It seems they’ve left the scene. So, we lean back, soak in the warm Florida air, and wait to see what active stuff might turn up.

A handful of light aircraft are busy doing touch-and-goes, but nothing that really gets our shutters clicking. That said, the spot itself is great: shaded benches, a calm vibe. Honestly, if we had nowhere else to be, we could’ve happily spent a few hours just relaxing here.

But, of course, sitting still isn’t really our thing. Once the Britten-Norman Islander we were waiting for comes in for landing, it’s time to do what we do best: explore the heck out of this place! 😄

The north side of FXE is where things really start to shine. We begin in the northwest corner, where an MRO facility is hiding a treasure trove of aviation gems. Among the finds: a stored Learjet, an IAI Westwind, and a Rockwell Sabreliner, plus a hangar crammed with two BAe Jetstreams, a pair of Aero Commanders, and a Metroliner. And to top it off: they’re doing engine runs on a colorfully painted, short-nosed DHC-6 Twin Otter. Good stuff. 

But the crown jewel here is without a doubt the shiny black and golden Sabreliner N936JL, which only flew in yesterday. This “Black Beauty” absolutely gleams in the sunlight. What. A. Catch.

We continue our sweep eastward and strike gold again: another Sabreliner (N700JC) in immaculate shape, wearing a stylish blue and gold cheatline, parked near one of the FBOs. Just down the same road, a storage yard reveals even more treasures: two more Sabreliners (one possibly airworthy), yet another Westwind, and a grab bag of other jets. We keep things quick and respectful, snapping what we can before heading out.

With our nav set for the next destination, we wave goodbye to what can only be described as Sabreliner Heaven. FXE: you were an absolute delight.

Our next stop takes us to Awesome Diecast in Boca Raton, a model shop that comes with a twist. Inside, there’s a small museum-like section filled with some seriously cool collectibles, though, of course, the best stuff isn’t for sale. The rest of the shop is mostly standard new releases. Fun to browse, but sadly no hidden gems hiding in the back. Still, a neat little stop that sparks some nostalgia.

Just a few minutes away lies the newly built observation area for Boca Raton Airport, another one of the many executive airports sprinkled throughout this massive urban sprawl. As we arrive, we’re greeted by some local wildlife unfortunately not the famous tortoises that should roam around here, but still, these green lizards are cute in their own way.

We spend a few minutes enjoying the airport view, accompanied by live radio chatter playing over the speakers, nice touch! A sleek Dassault Falcon jet gives us a sharp low departure, and a bright pink King Air from Wheels Up rolls in as well. Fun to watch, but nothing too wild.

With the sun getting higher, it’s time to keep the wheels turning, onward to the next stop!

Our classic aircraft quest continues with a stop at Palm Beach County Airpark, where our pre-research learned that a couple of old Beech 18s calling this place home. They're not flying today, so fingers crossed they’re parked outside.

As we approach the airfield, we already spot one slightly stripped-down, but good-looking Beech 18 tucked between the hangars. That’s a promising start! We park up and head over to get a closer look.

And close we get! This bird is practically parked in the fence, just a few centimeters away. Too close for good photos, but still, what a catch. Even better, we spot two more Beeches inside the hangar, and with the doors wide open and a technician busy working on a smaller plane, it’s time to see if we can charm our way in.

First, we try to casually loiter and hope for eye contact gives no luck, the guy’s deep in concentration. Attempt two: knock on the door.

Now, this door does not feel like the main entrance of a building, as it looks more like a back-exit. Still, there’s a fun tropical-themed sign above it, proudly declaring the name: Island Tyme Cargo. So, I knock... and hope for the best.

A cheerful young woman opens the door and greets me warmly. I explain what we’re doing and ask if we could take a few photos of the good-looking aircraft inside the hangar. To our delight, she welcomes us in without hesitation, clearly happy to have some enthusiastic visitors.

I quickly fetch Marieke, who had been holding down the fort (read: keeping the A/C running in the car), and we’re both guided into the hangar like two kids let loose in a vintage candy store.

Inside the hangar are two gorgeous old Beech 18s. The first, a bright blue 1965 Beech H-18 registered N22BR, comes equipped with a big cargo door and a beautiful wooden interior. The second one is an elegant and luxurious looking 1962 Beech H-18 registered N50225, which looks almost too pretty to fly. The mechanic kindly tells us we can even step inside, as long as we’re careful.

No problem, we’re grinning like kids on Christmas morning.

After saying our goodbyes to the lovely lady at Island Tyme Cargo, we continue to explore the rest of the Palm Beach County Airpark. Unfortunately, being a mostly closed-off field, there’s not much room left for further exploring. Still, we spot several light props scattered around, including a Cessna on floats that definitely stands out. On the main ramp, we find Island Tyme's third airworthy Beech 18, beautifully polished and glinting in the sun, though sadly covered up. Still, a classy sight.

We make a quick pit stop at Walmart to restock our groceries before setting our sights on the next destination: West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). We’re not expecting anything specific here, just a casual drive-by to see if anything interesting is parked up.

And then we hit the jackpot. Just as we approach the airport, two F/A-18G Super Hornets roar overhead in a tactical approach, followed by a full stop landing! Talk about timing. Excited, we quickly circle the airport to find where they're parking. Luck’s on our side again as we spot them taxiing in near the Border Guard building, and even better, there’s a tiny gap in the fence just big enough for a camera lens. The lighting isn't perfect, but who cares? The jets look incredible, with one of them sporting a striking patriotic tail design.

We cruise around a bit more, but aside from the usual business jets, there’s not much else catching our eye. So, we decide to head for our final stop for the day: our hotel in Stuart. We’ve got nothing special planned here, it’s mainly a convenient stop on the route to tomorrow’s target.

But the day’s not done surprising us. With the evening free (read: not airport exploring business anymore), we decide to take a little drive to the beach, even though it’s already dark. Once we arrive at Stuart Beach, a man nearby casually asks if we’re also here to see the rocket launch. Rocket launch? We had no idea. But sure enough, just ten minutes later, a SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from Cape Canaveral, and it’s clearly visible right from the beach. Our very first rocket launch, and we didn’t even plan it!

With our first rocket in the pocket and that fiery streak across the sky etched into our memory, we head back to the hotel, still amazed about all that happened today. What. A. Day.

Tuesday 22 April - Roadtrip Northbound Pt. 2

Okay, I was lying about doing no airport exploring yesterday evening. Stuart has a nice little airport too (because airports in Florida are as widely spread as alligators: they're everywhere). Just like most little airports, there is a lot of private stuff, little stuff and the occasional vintage surprising stuff. And speaking of vintage surprises, we'd noticed something interesting on Google Maps satellite view earlier: a MiG-15 tucked away somewhere on the field. So, of course, before heading to the beach last night, we did a quick scouting lap and confirmed it was still there.

So, this morning, with all our stuff packed and a proper amount of bacon and waffles in our stomachs, we head straight for the MiG which is already basking in the morning sun. This MiG obviously has been resting here for a while already and is not going anywhere soon, but still looks really good wearing it's Cuban markings. Pretty cool!

With the MiG and a nice German looking 1965 Piaggio  P-149E in the pocket, we continue our drive northbound. We choose to drive along the coastline, stopping every now and then to watch the Atlantic waves and enjoy the counless pelicans flying and diving in the ocean. Amazing sights! The road stretches ahead, and who knows what else we'll discover along the way, but the day is already off to a fantastic start.

Our next aviation-themed stop brings us to a place that truly lives up to its name: Treasure Coast International Airport near Fort Pierce. And let me tell you, it doesn’t take long to see why. From the moment we pull up at our first spot at the eastern side of the field, it becomes immediately clear: this place is absolutely packed, practically overflowing with aeronautical treasures.

From this place alone, we’re spotting some serious gems left and right. Some are tucked away in corners, others sitting wide open under the Florida sun. Not everything is in pristine shape, and the photography conditions are not always perfect, but the density and variety of aircraft here is just insane.

We see a turbine-powered Beech 18, always a rare sight, right in the middle of the field. Nearby is a popping red Hawker jet being prepared for departure and a business-configured Embraer 170 (VP-BEB). On our right two stored Gulfstream IVs are in various degrees of dismantling, but the real eye-catcher sits on our left. A stunning, if slightly weathered, Grumman HU-16 Albatross. This beauty clearly hasn’t flown in the last couple of years, but even in its current state, it demands attention.

Peeking across to the other side of the field, we’re stunned to see countless other aircraft: jets, props, and even what appears to be a stored MD-80 standing tall among them. Each corner of this airport seems to hold something worth stopping for.

Full of adrenaline and curiosity, we hop back in the car and continue our aviation treasure hunt. With a place like this, you never know what’s around the next hangar or behind the next fence, and we are here for it.

After circling around Runway 32, we roll up to our next vantage point which is a private parking lot of an avionics center. The view here just keeps getting better. From this spot, we get a closer look at the turbine-powered Beech 18, which looks even more impressive up close. But we also spot another Beech 18 in the distance, this one painted in a striking emerald green, though it’s currently engine-less and clearly hasn’t flown in a while. Still, a great discovery.

However, closer to the fence are two absolute showstoppers.

The first is a 1981 Gulfstream III (N478VT) belonging to Tipness Enterprises. It’s wearing a classy black-and-white livery and sitting tall like it’s ready for its next VIP mission. But the rarest bird on this ramp is by far a 1976 Britten-Norman BN-2A Mk III Trislander (N928MJ) in pristine condition. This triple-engined shoebox is a true oddity these days, and seeing one so complete is a serious catch!

Since we’re technically on private property, we don’t linger too long. With our photos secured, we hop back in and roll on. Sure enough, just around the corner we slam on the brakes again for yet another beauty: a 1981 Gates Learjet 25D (N4447P), parked near the edge of a hangar. 

We move on to find another treasure shortly after. This time it’s a 1969 Gulfstream G-1159B (N148V). A G-1159B is actually the Gulfstream G-IIB airframe fitted with GIII avionics and winglets. And behind it we see the stripped-down fuselage of a DHC-6 Twin Otter, now more skeletal than skybound.

As we head toward the main FBO, we also get to enjoy a bit of local wildlife in the form of a small orange-headed lizard. This cute little gentleman adds to the relaxed and interesting vibe here at Treasure Coast. This airport just keeps giving.

From the main terminal parking lot, we get a commanding view over the western apron of this remarkable airport, and wow, there’s just so much going on here. The aircraft that immediately catches our attention is the mighty Boeing 727, standing proudly like a monument to golden age jet travel. This particular bird, built in 1979, carries a rather storied history.

She first took to the skies with Singapore Airlines, later transitioning to LACSA Costa Rica just three years after delivery. In 1995, she crossed the Atlantic to fly for Sterling European Airlines in Denmark, before returning to the U.S. in 1999. That same year, she was acquired by none other than the Miami Heat basketball team as their private jet. Despite not having flown in quite some time, this trijet still looks incredibly complete, like it could spool up and leap into the sky at any moment. A true classic.

Also visible from this vantage point are some more great finds such as awhite Embraer 120 freighter, a Gulfstream III with an elegant blue cheatline, and even a BAe Jetstream 41, though sadly we couldn’t make out the registration.
If anyone reading this has info on the reg or history of this Jetstream 41, let us know in the comments!

From here, we continue our expedition to the southwest side of the airfield, where we get a closer look at the anticipated MD-80. This is N572AA, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 built in 1987. Originally delivered to American Airlines, it flew with them for 23 years before being retired in 2010. But retirement wasn’t the end of its journey.

After storage in places like Victorville and Roswell, this aircraft was given a new lease on life as a VIP jet, flying in Africa for Katanga Wings, re-registered as 9Q-CKW. It served as the private transport for the TP Mazembe soccer team in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2012 until 2018. These days, it's back in its original American registration, quietly waiting for what's in store for it, under the ownership of 727X Aerospace Corporation.

From this spot, we also glimpse another gem across the field: a VIP-configured Boeing 757, though unfortunately parked way out of reach.

So we drive around again, this time to the western edge of the airfield where even more hangars and ramps are teeming with aircraft. There's an old FBO building here that gives us the perfect angle for a close-up look at that gorgeous 727. She’s accompanied by an IAI-1124A Westwind II (C6-IRM), also a great looking jet.

All around the hangars are more parked Learjets, with one stripped fuselage just sitting out in the open on the ramp, almost as if inviting a new life as a movie prop or training airframe. And it’s not just the flying treasures, nature seems to love this place too. We spot more of those orange-headed lizards running about and even a curious little woodpecker tapping away near the tree line.

But… we can feel it. There’s still one more treasure waiting. Something special. Something heavenly…

That is because this airfield is home to a special airline called MFI, which stands for Missionary Flights International. MFI isn’t your standard airline. It's a faith-based organization, run on donations, gifts, and the support of churches, dedicated to delivering aid and essential goods to those in need, especially in Haiti or the Dominican Republic, where their missions help rebuild communities, support education, and bring relief to areas struck by poverty or disaster. That mission alone is incredibly humbling, but the fact that they carry it out using Douglas DC-3Ts makes it even more incredible.

We hadn’t made an appointment in advance, and as it turns out, two of MFI’s three DC-3s had already departed for Haiti earlier that morning while we were still munching our bacon and waffles this morning. Fortunately, one aircraft remained, sitting in the hangar. So we decide to give it a shot and politely ask if we might take a few photos.

To our surprise and delight, we are welcomed warmly. After a short registration process, we’re introduced to the Chief of Communications and Public Relations, who happily agrees to show us around. We’re first brought into the maintenance area, where a team of three mechanics is hard at work, meticulously overhauling an engine: real time proof of the care and dedication keeping these old birds flying.

And then comes the highlight. Sitting proudly in the hangar is the gleaming, almost factory-fresh Douglas DC-3, N300MF, a living legend in every sense of the word. This 1944-built Dakota is more than just a plane; it’s a flying history book.

Delivered to the USAAF as 44-76629 in March 1945, it was almost immediately transferred to the British Royal Air Force (RAF) as KN483, where it served briefly in the Middle East. From there, it flew into the hands of the South African Air Force (SAAF) in October 1945 as aircraft #6881.

Its civilian life was just as eventful. The aircraft wore a series of registrations over the decades, including:

• ZS-DIV and A2-ZEN with Africair/Wenela Air Service

• VP-YSN, in the transitional years

• Back and forth between A2-ZEN and ZS-DIV, with reports of storage at Johannesburg-Rand by 1979

Somehow, this airframe just kept coming back. After a return stint with the SAAF as 6855, it made its way to the U.S. and entered the register as N8194Q with Dodson Air, followed by another identity as ZS-OJJ in 1999.

Its major transformation came in 1993, when Preferred Turbines carried out a turbine conversion, fitting her with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines and a stretched fuselage. In this form, she carried several more registrations:

• N467NS with Dodson,

• Then N561PT with Preferred Airparts LLC in 2016.

Finally, in January 2025, she was welcomed into the MFI family, reborn once again as N300MF, where she now serves not just as an aircraft, but as a tool for hope. It is beautiful how a machine built for war now delivers nothing but peace.

It’s honestly incredible how this aircraft has lived so many lives, from military service to civilian flights, from African skies to humanitarian missions. A survivor, a workhorse, and now a lifeline.

After thanking our kind and passionate guide, we head back to the car with full hearts and full memory cards. We’ve got a longer drive ahead of us today, heading back inland. Our next destination is a place that just weeks ago echoed with jet noise and airshow magic: Lakeland, home of Sun 'n Fun.

Let’s hit the road again as this adventure is far from over.

The drive inland to Lakeland is long, flat, and mostly uneventful. The scenery switches between farmland and swamp, broken only by the occasional small-town billboard or… ah yes! A pair of CSX locomotives preparing to haul some freight. Finally, a bit of movement in the stillness.

Our goal here is the Florida Air Museum, supposedly the state’s “official aviation museum.” We pull up, pay what turns out to be a steep entrance fee, and step inside with reasonably high hopes.

Unfortunately, those hopes take a dive real quick. The main hall houses a scattered mix of old aircraft, mostly replicas, and worst of all: many are unlabeled or poorly presented/explained. The one thing that does catch our attention is the NOAA P-3C Orion nose/cockpit section. But even that turns out to be a letdown. The “cockpit” has been stripped out and replaced by flat control panel prints. It looks more like a film prop than the real deal. A shame, because this had real potential.

We look for the rest of the exhibits. There should be a second hall with an F-14 Tomcat, maybe some other surprises? But… nothing. Turns out everything else is completely viewable from the outside, no ticket needed. So why did we bother paying? That rhetorical question floats in the hot Florida air as we shake our heads and walk on.

Still on the hunt for the elusive F-14, we stroll around the sprawling grounds. That’s when a deep, growling turboprop rumble fills the air. Naturally, we home in on the sound, walking toward the perimeter fence and jackpot: a NOAA Lockheed P-3C Orion is doing engine test runs. That’s more like it! We hang around for a bit, enjoying the sound and motion, one of the few truly alive moments of the day.

Backtracking toward the main building, we pass a Boeing 727 in Piedmont Airlines’ “Tampa Bay Peacemaker” livery. Nearby are a Slovak Air Force MiG-21 and bizarre little Lockheed XVF-1, the V/STOL experimental oddball. Further down the road are a few random Cessnas and some small helicopters, and a Douglas DC-3 parked out in the sun.

But the clear standout here is the Convair Sea Dart parked near the main entrance, the world’s only jet fighter designed to operate from water. It’s weird, rare, and fascinating. And guess what? All of these aircraft, you can see them without even buying a ticket. Oof. 

Still holding out hope for the F-14, we hop in the car and start guessing hangars. First, we drive all the way to the end where we see an even nicer jet: a former Polish Air Force MiG-23 which looks to be airworthy. It even carries a civil registration: N223ML. What a machine! We park our car near one of the hangars after trying some doors at other Tomcat-sized sheds, which were all closed.  we finally hit the right one. This door is open. Still, it feels like we are tresspassing and at first glance, the big hangar looks empty. But, there she is, tucked away in the corner: the mighty Grumman F-14D  Super Tomcat. 

And here’s the twist: it’s a bit of a disappointment too. The canopy’s been masked black, the whole jet is shiny, and it feels… sterile. It’s been restored to look “new,” but instead it just looks fake. There's none of that rough, in-the-fleet grime or operational wear you'd expect from a true Navy bird. It’s an F-14, sure, but it doesn’t feel like one. It’s like seeing a wax figure of your hero. Real, but not really.

After that, we swing back by the NOAA Orion, which is still going strong on the ramp. Eventually, it taxis a few meters for repositioning, but it’s clear it’s not flying or taxiing off anytime soon. We stick around for a bit longer, but with the sun pounding down and our enthusiasm worn thin, it’s time to move on.

Conclusion? The Florida Air Museum might shine during Sun ’n Fun, when the grounds are buzzing and every hangar door is open. But as a standalone museum visit, it’s just not worth it. Save your money, walk the grounds, and enjoy the outdoor exhibits. You’ll get 90% of the experience without dropping a dime.

Time to hit the road again. Hopefully the next stop holds a little more magic, and a little less masking tape.

So… about that hope for less masking tape? Yeah, no. That did not work out hahaha. But honestly, we’re not even mad, because what we stumbled upon next more than made up for it.

On the eastern side of Lakeland Airport, just near the NOAA complex, is the formidable presence of Draken International. For those unfamiliar: Draken is one of the biggest names in contracted adversary air support, flying retired military jets to simulate enemy aircraft for military training. Basically, these are the real-life bad guys in mock dogfights, giving U.S. (and other active miliary) pilots a serious run for their money.

And man, their fleet is insane. From A-4 Skyhawks to Mirage F.1s, MiG-21s, and even some ex-military F-16s, Draken has a museum-worthy lineup... only these jets aren't collecting dust, they're still serving a mission. We didn’t see any jets screaming overhead today, but just behind the facility is their storage and refurb area… and this is where it gets spicy.

Lined up like gifts on Christmas morning: a whole squadron of ex-Jordanian Mirage F.1s, all neatly shrink-wrapped and stacked like precious cargo. Some are clearly donors for parts, others look like they’re waiting for resurrection. These are aircraft with history, and potentially, futures. Easily one of the coolest cold finds of the day.

After a good long nerd-out session near the fence line, we head to our hotel on the northern side of the airport to unload our bags. But before anything else it is pool time. Florida heat + jet-hunting = cool down required. A dip in the pool feels absolutely perfect.

Then, just as the sun starts dipping, we’re back in the car, as there’s one last thing we need to check off. We drive back toward NOAA's hangar, and bingo: the P-3C Orion has returned! Even better: she’s parked right out front of the hangar, perfect to capture on photos. What a nice and rare machine!

Photos captured, memory cards full, stomachs rumbling. There’s only one way to end a day like this. And guess what, it has something to do with fried rice and orange chicken ;-) 

Wednesday 23 April - Roadtrip Back to the Space Coast

We start the day bright and early, grabbing our bags and hopping back into the car for another day of chasing aircraft and sunshine. Before we hit the road, we swing by NOAA's hangar one last time to say a proper goodbye to the majestic Lockheed P-3C Orion. She's still parked out front like yesterday, patiently waiting in front of that enormous hangar. Unfortunately, that same hangar casts a long shadow across her entire fuselage, making the lighting a bit tricky for photos this morning. Still, what a sight to behold. A final few shots, a quick moment of appreciation, and we're off.

Next destination: Kissimmee Gateway Airport, but with one very important stop first. McBreakfast. Golden arches mean golden standards: a few sausage McMuffins, crispy hash browns, and some pancakes later, we’re officially fueled up and rolling eastbound again. The mission for Kissimmee is a nice one: catch a P-51 Mustang departure. Let's go! 

We arrive at Kissimmee Gateway Airport right on schedule, just in time for something truly special. This field is home to Stallion 51 Flight Operations, a renowned flight training institute where pilots get the rare chance to learn to fly classic warbirds like the T-6 Texan and the legendary P-51 Mustang.

We’re lucky enough to be welcomed onto their balcony viewing area, which offers a prime view over the flight line. Soon enough, the dual-seat P-51D Mustang "Crazy Horse" is being carefully towed outside. After preflight checks are completed, the crew fires up the mighty Rolls-Royce Merlin, and the familiar, deep rumble of that V-12 fills the ramp. Moments later, she’s taxiing out and gracefully taking off into the skies over Kissimmee.

While "Crazy Horse" is out flying, we’re invited for a quick hangar tour, and it doesn’t disappoint. Inside we find a T-6 Texan, a L-39 Albatross, and another P-51 Mustang, this one looking impossibly pristine and mirror-like, and is even still being washed and polished even more. Our guide explains this is one of the few places in the world where aspiring warbird pilots can train on the real thing. Incredible, if only our wallets matched our enthusiasm...

Soon, the magic returns to the airfield as the sound of the Merlin grows louder. "Crazy Horse" is back, flying a left-hand pattern before gliding in for landing. The Mustang rolls back to the ramp with that unmistakable swagger of a bird that knows its place in history.

It’s been a fantastic start to the day already, filled with the smell of avgas and the roar of warbirds.

Before leaving Kissimmee entirely, we explore a bit more of the northern side of the field. Tucked away in the hangars, we find a few more hidden warbirds, a neatly preserved Aero Commander, and yet another classic Gulfstream III. This trip just keeps giving us classics. We even spot a second L-39 Albatros doing engine run-ups nearby. With that, we agree we’ve pretty thoroughly covered this gem of an airfield and set course back to the east coast.

But the road has one more surprise in store.

As we near the coast, we take the exit for Melbourne International Airport (no kangaroos here, don’t worry). So, what do we find here? Yet another Boeing 727, gleaming on the tarmac near the maintenance area. This beauty still looks every bit airworthy, like it could spool up those JT8Ds and rocket down the runway at any moment.

Digging into its story reveals a rich past. This aircraft was delivered in May 1975 to Braniff International Airways as N438BN. From there, it served with People Express, and even had a short stint with Southwest Airlines, a rare treat considering SWA rarely operated 727s. Eventually, it became most famous as the team transport for the Colorado Rockies MLB team, before being retired and stored in 2016.

In September 2019, the aircraft was acquired by Caribbean Cargo Carriers LLC, who interestingly restored its original Braniff registration, N438BN, after it had flown for years as N17773. After emerging from long-term storage in Marana, Arizona, it made a stop in Kansas City, followed by multiple flight attempts before finally landing in Dallas Love Field on December 5th, 2020. Five days later, she was off again, this time to Miami.

Her future is still uncertain. She’s been sitting at Melbourne for a few years now, but she’s still listed as active, and based on her condition, we’re holding out hope. Whether she’s bound for a museum, a private owner, or a unique mission role, it’s always uplifting to see one of these iconic tri-holers escape the boneyard. Fingers crossed for a bright new chapter for this beautiful bird.

We then hit the coastal road again towards the north. We make a short stop at the beach next to a special airfield: Patrick Space Force Base. We are lucky once again as a HC-130J Combat King II is doing some pattern work in the Florida heat. In the distance we can already distinguish the launch sites of Cape Canaveral. Our goal gets closer and closer! 

As we continue our journey northbound toward Cape Canaveral, we bid farewell to the Atlantic coastline and veer slightly westward into Titusville, and like nearly every other town we've come across on this trip, Titusville has its own airport. And you guessed it, this airport has its own museum, too. But not just any museum.

This is the Valiant Air Command, Inc. Warbird Air Museum, a place that came highly recommended by several aviation enthusiasts we’ve met along the way. With expectations cautiously high, we park the car, pay a modest entry fee, and step inside.

Immediately, the atmosphere feels right. The entrance hall features an array of aviation artifacts and memorabilia, well-preserved and presented with care. Even more refreshing: a team of enthusiastic volunteers buzz around, many of them more than happy to share stories, facts, and the history behind the displays. You can tell this place is run with heart.

We continue into the first hangar and are hit with a wall of nostalgia and jet exhaust (well, metaphorically).

Right there, front and center, is a Grumman F-14A Tomcat, in far better condition than the one we saw back in Lakeland. This one looks the part. Still clean, but operational, and with the right soul, it’s an absolute unit that dominates the space.

Around it, a treasure trove of American airpower: a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet, an F-16A Fighting Falcon, and several other highlights fill the room. The layout feels immersive, without being crowded.

And here's the twist: many of these birds still fly.

That’s right, this museum doesn’t just preserve; it performs. Several aircraft in the collection are airworthy, and the museum makes a point to keep them that way. But none is more symbolic, more storied, or more beloved than the museum’s flagship: a 1941 Douglas C-47 Skytrain, “Tico Belle”.  As a military adaptation of the civilian Douglas DC-3, the C-47 was re-engineered for rugged use: reinforced floors, a cargo door, hoisting gear, and a celestial navigation dome made her a wartime workhorse.

First taking to the skies on December 23, 1941, just weeks after Pearl Harbor, she went on to serve with distinction across nearly every major WWII operation involving Allied airborne forces. And yes, she's still flying today, maintained in top shape by the museum.

Her service record reads like a map of liberation:

• D-Day – June 6, 1944: At 04:07, flying at just 500 feet and under enemy fire, “Tico Belle” dropped paratroopers over St. Mère-Église as part of Operation Neptune.

• Southern France – Operation Dragoon

• The Netherlands– Operation Market Garden

• Belgium – Battle of the Bulge (Relief of Bastogne)

• Germany – Operation Varsity

After the war, “Tico Belle” flew in the Berlin Airlift, and later saw service with both the Royal Norwegian Air Force and Royal Danish Air Force, even serving as a VIP transport. In 1988, she returned stateside to become the pride of the Valiant Air Command.

We move on to the next hall which is equally impressive. We are greeted by a nicely worn-down Beech T-34C Turbo Mentor and a T-2 Buckeye. The main attraction here is another airworthy bird, the XF-82 Twin Mustang.

The North American XP-82 is the prototype of the F-82 Twin Mustang, the final piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the U.S. Air Force. Designed as a long-range escort fighter for Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, the F-82’s operational debut came too late for WWII, but its story didn’t end there.

As the post-war world changed, Strategic Air Command and Air Defense Command leaned heavily on the F-82. It filled the gap for all-weather day/night interception, especially important before jet-age reliability became standard. When the Korean War broke out, Japan-based Twin Mustangs were some of the first USAF aircraft in the skies over Korea.

The specific airframe before us is the XP-82 prototype. It’s a piece of engineering art, powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the same legendary engines that gave the original P-51 its iconic sound and performance.

Later F-82 models switched to Allison engines due to royalty fees imposed by Rolls-Royce, but this aircraft keeps the true spirit of the Mustang alive. Both cockpits are fully functional, with duplicate controls and instruments. Flying this machine must be an experience like no other. And here’s the kicker: this is the only flying Twin Mustang in the world. 

The hangar has lots of other great airframes such as the legendary McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, the TA-4J Skyhawk in Blue Angels livery and a MiG-17. The largest aircraft here is the Grumman A-6E Intruder, which looks like it just has been grabbed from an active aircraft carrier. This place is insane, so many great airframes and all in such great (operational) condition! 

With only half of the second hangar covered so far, we continue our visit outside. The outdoor collection is just as thrilling as what’s inside. Right off the bat, we’re greeted by a Beechcraft RU-21A Ute, a tactical-looking, modified military variant of the Beech A-90 King Air. Rugged and angular, this bird was used for intelligence and surveillance missions, and it still has that covert ops aura about it.

Next in line: the Fairchild C-123K Provider. Big, wide, and undeniably fat, this beast is a Cold War workhorse through and through. It’s got that unmistakable look of a plane that’s done things. You can almost picture it dropping into a jungle airstrip or hauling a cargo load under hostile skies.

Then we spot the classic grey-on-white frame of a Grumman S-2 Tracker, with its wings folded neatly. Though modest in appearance, this was a frontline sub-hunter, flying from carriers to keep enemy submarines in check.

But things ramp up quickly from here.

Standing proud in the Florida sun is an impressive collection of Cold War muscle:

• The F-100 Super Sabre, the first U.S. fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight.

• The F-105 Thunderchief, a beast of a fighter-bomber, purpose-built for low-level nuclear strike missions.

• And finally, the F-101 Voodoo, sleek and sharp-nosed, looking like it’s still ready to scramble for an intercept.

Each jet stands frozen in time but looks ready to roar back to life with the push of a throttle. The F-105 even has his revuelling probe and ram air turbine extended. Nice touch!

Continuing around the circular path, we find a more mysterious group. Three primarily white jets, seemingly more research than warbird.

The first is a Learjet, bearing NASA livery and stickers referencing astronaut Buzz Aldrin. It’s a puzzler. Despite the flashy decals and claims, this particular jet’s logs show no documented NASA service, and its connection to Buzz Aldrin remains unverified and unclear. A curiosity for sure, even if its backstory seems more myth than mission.

The second is a real stunner: a TF-104G Starfighter. Long, needle-like, and pristine, it practically glows under the sun. The "missile with a man in it" looks as aerodynamic as ever, as if just waiting for clearance to launch straight to the edge of space.

And then comes the real showstopper: the Northrop F-5E SSBD. This aircraft is wild. It looks like an F-5E that’s been to the gym and the lab at the same time. A fat, heavily modified nose giving away its experimental nature. This is the product of NASA’s Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) project, one of the most detailed studies on sonic boom shaping ever conducted. Between 2003 and 2004, NASA Langley, NASA Dryden, and Northrop Grumman transformed this fighter into a scientific probe designed to prove that sonic booms could be softened by reshaping the shock wave.

How? By modifying the fuselage to create a more gradual pressure build-up, and then rigorously testing it in formation flights, baseline comparisons with unmodified F-5Es, and even using an F-15B as a shockwave chase plane.

They collected more than 1,300 measurements. Some from airborne sensors, some from a glider flying beneath the shock path, and over 40 ground sensors stretched across 2.5 miles. The result was a one-third reduction in sonic boom intensity. This aircraft wasn’t just a testbed, it was a pioneer for the future of quiet supersonic transport.

And then, to cap it all off, we stumble upon a vivid burst of yellow and black: the BAC Canberra TT.18. This British-built beauty served as a target tug by the looks of it: its underside is painted in unmistakable high-visibility stripes, a signal to "do not shoot at me but at the target behind me"!" Quirky and colorful, it’s a striking final note for the outdoor collection.

As it is pretty warm outside, we get back inside to continue admiring the indoor collection. Here are some jets that are pretty common in US military museums such as the A-7 Corsair II and the F-8K Crusader, but also some lesser-known gems such as the Grumman F-11 Tiger. The aircraft are stunning, there are scale models everywhere and lots of stories to read. Very well done! 

We end up again at the first hangar with the Tomcat and Tico Belle, but now we move on to the other side. Here are some more airworthy legends such as a Beech H-18 and the North American B-25 Mitchell bomber. Prominently in the middle of the hangar is a huge-ass helicopter. The MH-53E Sea Dragon is the most recent aquisition of the museum. This helicopter is an absolute unit. 

Other great airframes here are the Fouga Magister, the Douglas SBD Dauntless and the Grumman F9F Cougar. In the last hangar some aircraft are currently under restoration such as the OV-1 Mohawk and a SeaBee. Tucked away next to the restoration hangar is a MiG-21. 

A nice feature of this museum is that some aircraft are accessible, you just need to ask a volunteer to guide you. So, before leaving, we take up a volunteer’s offer and climb into the B-52 Stratofortress cockpit section. It's cramped, full of switches, and absolutely electric with Cold War tension. It gives you a whole new appreciation for what crews endured at altitude, in formation, ready for the call that never came..

All in all, this museum is a true gem. The majority of the aircraft looks like the were just came out of active duty. In our opinion that is so much more valuable than most clean and polished aircraft you see in most museums. The variety of the collision also truly impressive to say the least. A brief visit to the gift shop concludes our visit here, and we then make our way to our hotel in Titusville, just across the road. 

That night, we spend at the Panda Express and do a bit of airport exploring afterwards. Unfortunately, there is nothing noteworthy (or picture worthy) at the airport besides the museum. For now, we call it a day. Tomorrow has something to do with rockets! ^^

Thursday 24 April - Fly Me To The Moon

Good morning, Space Coast! Today’s not about airframes and jet blasts, it’s about launch pads, moonshots, and a whole different kind of lift-off. No airport hopping on the schedule today. Instead, we’re heading somewhere even more legendary: Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

From our hotel room in Titusville, we already have views of a few distant launch complexes. It’s a surreal feeling waking up and seeing pads where Saturn V rockets once stood tall and where Falcon 9s still pierce the atmosphere. With only a short drive ahead, we’re perfectly on time to arrive at the Kennedy Space Center just as the gates open.

Right after entering, we stroll through Rocket Garden, the iconic plaza filled with towering rockets from the early days of spaceflight. Standing underneath these giants—Mercury-Redstone, Atlas, Titan—you begin to appreciate just how far and fast space exploration has evolved. It’s a jaw-dropping mix of engineering and courage.

But there’s no time to linger too long as we’ve got a reservation for the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, and we’re absolutely not missing it. So off we go, onto the bus that will take us straight into the heart of America’s most historic and active launch complex.

Once we board the NASA bus, it's time to enter the grounds that are known to shake, rumble, and echo with history. And gators. There are plenty of gators here too.

We head straight to a vantage point overlooking the southern area of the space center. This area is home to several military launch pads, as well as launch facilities for Blue Origin and SpaceX. In fact, tonight, a Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch from here for another Starlink mission.

We don’t spot the rocket standing upright just yet, but later, when reviewing our photos, we notice it lying down beside the launch tower, already being prepped.

Once everyone has taken their shots, the driver continues the route. Our next stop: the legendary VAB, the Vehicle Assembly Building. This is the largest single-story building in the world and has been used to assemble all of NASA’s major rockets, including the mighty Saturn V. Today, the building houses the next big rocket for the Artemis mission, NASA’s upcoming return to the Moon.

Along the way, we also get to see the press site, the Launch Control Center, and the famous countdown clock. It all looks exactly as seen in the movies, but being here in person makes it feel far more real and powerful. We then enter a special area called the Exclusion Zone: a restricted zone where no people are allowed during launches. This is because the noise generated by a rocket launch can be so intense that it could actually be fatal to someone nearby. A stark reminder of the raw power of spaceflight.

We’re then taken to a vantage point overlooking Launch Pads 39A and 39B. These historic pads were once used for Apollo and Space Shuttle missions and are now being adapted for SpaceX launches and the Artemis program.

This is the furthest point of the tour. We head back toward the VAB, where we’re allowed to exit the bus and check out several artifacts on display in the parking lot, such as the Launch Escape System and the original entry bridge used by Shuttle crews. While we explore the area, a massive transport vehicle rolls by, carrying the top of the next SpaceX rocket. It’s enormous and an incredible sight to witness up close.

The bus then continues toward the Shuttle Landing Facility, the runway once used by returning Space Shuttles. En route, we pass by the two enormous Crawler Transporters, the vehicles responsible for hauling rockets from the VAB to Launch Pads 39A and B.

The tour concludes at a large building housing a replica of a Saturn V rocket. Despite its size, it doesn't leave quite the same impression as the real Saturn V we saw at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. Still, it’s a great display, and we appreciate how the center also pays tribute to the astronauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of space exploration. It’s moving and beautifully done.

There’s also a large restaurant here, so we decide it’s time for a well-earned lunch.

With our stomachs filled with chicken and fries, while skillfully avoiding the ibises scavenging for food on the terrace, we hop on the return bus to the visitor center. We pass the Crawler Transporters and the VAB one final time before arriving back.

The bus drops us off near the next major exhibit. In front of the building stands a full-scale replica of the External Tank (ET), flanked by two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) looking as though they’re ready to lift an orbiter into space. We walk beneath this towering structure to enter the building. There’s a bit of a queue, but it’s no surprise why. Eventually, we’re ushered into the first preshow.

This preshow tells the story behind the demand for a reusable spacecraft, something radically different from traditional rockets that are lost upon reentry. It begins with a simple wooden toy glider. As the story unfolds, this glider evolves into a mighty space-faring orbiter. Combined with the External Tank and the SRBs, this configuration forms the Space Shuttle. The challenges faced along the way are detailed, from surviving the heat of reentry to designing a spacecraft without ferry flight engines. 

Then it’s time for the second and final preshow. Here, we witness the launch of the very first Space Shuttle. It begins serenely, with a sunrise over the Cape and the Shuttle standing tall. We watch the pre-launch preparations and then, the awe-inspiring ignition. At 2 minutes and 12 seconds, the SRBs separate and fall back to Earth. At 8 minutes and 25 seconds, the orbiter’s main engines shut down: Main Engine Cut Off (MECO). A few seconds later, the External Tank separates and disintegrates in the atmosphere.

Now in orbit, the Shuttle opens its cargo bay doors. As the orbiter hovers above Earth, its robotic arm extended, the film ends. The screen lifts to reveal the real star of the show: OV-104 Atlantis, the orbiter that flew the final Space Shuttle mission. The moment is truly unforgettable.

This marks the fourth and final orbiter we've seen. Our journey began with Endeavour in Los Angeles back in 2018. It’s currently being prepped for a unique display in a vertical launch position alongside the only remaining original ET and SRBs, something we can't wait to revisit once it opens.

Later in 2018, we saw Enterprise aboard the USS Intrepid in New York. Though it never flew in space, it was instrumental in landing tests. Then in 2019, we met Discovery at the Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles, an equally stunning exhibit. And now, standing before Atlantis, our understanding and admiration for these machines have only grown over the years. What once seemed like just a cool space plane is now deeply appreciated as a symbol of ingenuity, engineering, and relentless human ambition.

We continue exploring the exhibit hall. It’s masterfully done. There’s a realistic cockpit mock-up where you can sit in the commander’s or pilot’s seat (there is no co-pilot on the Shuttle). Interactive displays let kids, and adults, train, launch, and work from the Shuttle or the ISS. One of the highlights is a launch simulator. Even with a long wait, it’s absolutely worth it.

The exhibit also honors those lost in the pursuit of space exploration. The Challenger and Columbia disasters are memorialized with two impressive but haunting artifacts: a section of Challenger’s fuselage bearing the U.S. flag, and the cockpit window frames from Columbia. Seeing these items is chilling. The Columbia windows, in particular, feel like they're still looking back at you. Out of respect, we chose not to take any photos here. We stood quietly and took a moment to reflect.

This exhibit evokes nothing but respect for the dreamers, the engineers, the astronauts, and the countless people who brought this audacious vision to life. It’s an experience we won’t forget.

As the day comes to an end, we take a few more rides at the Visitor Center, snap some final shots of the NASA T-38 Talon on display, and browse through the world’s largest NASA shop. With the gates soon closing, we choose to take the scenic route back to the hotel, driving through Cape Canaveral (the town) in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the SpaceX launch pad. We’re hoping to spot the rocket scheduled to launch tonight. Unfortunately, the roadside bushes are just a bit too tall for a proper view of the area. We keep our eyes open for gators too, but it seems they’ve gone home for the evening as well.

Then it hits us: this is our final night here in Florida, and on this side of the Atlantic. It feels surreal to reflect on everything we’ve seen and done over the past two weeks. We’ve witnessed incredible wildlife, discovered rare and fascinating aircraft, and above all: we’re now engaged!

We return to Titusville to celebrate our final night at our favorite local spot: you might already have guessed it: the Panda Express. A funny little moment: the local sheriff is picking up his dinner too, and his patrol car has a Space Shuttle decal on it. Only in Titusville!

That night, we experience the last literal highlight of the trip: a rocket launch, up close and personal. This is our second rocket launch, but the first time seeing one this close (well, still 7 kilometers away). Our hotel has a special viewing balcony on the top floor, with a perfect view of the SpaceX launch pad. The Falcon 9 is already upright, lit, and venting clouds of white vapor. A small crowd of guests has gathered, one of them playing the livestream countdown on a laptop.

T minus 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... ignition! 5... 4... 3... 2... 1!

Smoke and steam erupt from the pad as the rocket lifts off. The exhaust flames are so bright they light up the sky like it’s daytime. The crowd cheers in awe as Falcon 9 punches through the clouds, setting them ablaze in golden hues. A few seconds later, the deep rumble reaches us. It’s thunderous, primal. We soak it in while trying to track the rocket with our cameras.

Now just a bright speck in the sky, the rocket is surrounded by a glowing plasma cloud. That marks MECO, the main engine cut-off. The booster separates from the second stage and begins its descent. Unlike our previous launch, where the booster returned to the pad, this one is heading for a drone ship in the Atlantic. We follow it for a bit until it’s too far to see.

What a night. Slowly, everyone heads back inside. So do we. We pack up our bags and call it a night. That launch was nothing short of spectacular. A perfect closing chapter to an unforgettable trip.

Friday 25 April - It's The Final Countdown

We wake up to watch the sun rise over the launch pads. Today is the final day here in America for us, so we are counting down the hours untill we finally fly back home. Not! It all passes wayyy to quickly! After a quick breakfast, we kick off the day with a drive westward. Our flight departs from Orlando International Airport (MCO) later today, but we managed to squeeze in one last stop before heading home: a visit to Orlando Sanford International Airport. This airport has a rich history, having once been known as Naval Air Station Sanford. To honor that past, there’s a well-done memorial on site featuring a real RA-5C Vigilante on display, quite the machine and a fitting tribute.

Then it’s time for some final airport exploring. We first drive along the main road past the departure terminal, where we spot a small airliner storage area in the distance. There’s some interesting hardware there, but unfortunately there’s no spot to park, so we settle for some quick snaps from the car.

Eventually, we make our way to the hangar area on the west side of the airfield. Here, we find several stored bizjets and a couple of airliners. Two sleek Gulfstream IIIs immediately catch our eye, definitely the highlight of this corner. In the distance, we spot a maintenance operation with a few more aircraft, including two classic McDonnell Douglas MD-87s! Let’s go check them out.

On the other side of the airport, we arrive at the maintenance facility. Here, we get really, really close to one of the MD-87s. This particular aircraft—VP-CAA— was the last Mad Dog to ever visit our home airport, Schiphol, up to this day! The other MD-87, N805ML, previously flew as VP-CTF in the same VIP livery. This spot turns out to be a goldmine, there’s a lot to see. We also spot an Airbus A321, partially wearing the Holiday Europe livery, now in the process of being converted into a freighter. The Amerijet 757 parked nearby still looks impressive, even though it's clearly seen better days.

As there are people working on the A321, and we’d rather not attract too much attention, we quickly snap our photos and move along. Besides, we’ve got a flight to catch.

The road toward MCO is long, straight, and littered with traffic lights. It takes a while to get there. On the way, we pass a particularly interesting scene: a Beetle being “loved” by a giant lobster. While driving. That’s Florida, never a dull moment.

Eventually, we reach the rental facility and say goodbye to our trusty Toyoter, who’s been a loyal companion throughout this Florida adventure. Then begins the Orlando Airport maze: check-in, bag drop, and the usual security gauntlet. The queue is long, but in true seasoned traveler style, we breeze through.

Orlando has four gate areas, all connected by one-way trams, so we make sure to hop on the right one. We’re early, as always, so we do what we do best: find a spot to go spotting. That’s not so easy here, though. The terminal is swarming with people, like an anthill in full operation. We eventually find a few window spots with views across the field, though heat haze makes photography tricky. The unexpected star of the lineup is a Boeing 737-200 that looks remarkably good!

Soon, it's time to board our first flight of the day: a United Airlines Boeing 757-300, again a new type for our logbooks. Our aircraft, N75858, comes in from Houston. Built in 2004, it originally flew for Continental Airlines before becoming part of United in the 2010 merger, keeping its registration. We’re seated in 11E and 11F and have high hopes since our last flight on a United 757 was amazing, with great service and top-notch in-flight entertainment. It also had the best moving map we have ever had. So, full of excitement we take our seats, only to discover that it lacks one thing: the IFE...

Tartar sauce.

Ah well, at least we have a great view of the mighty Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4C engines. We depart right on time from runway 17R, offering a great view of the airport as we climb. The skies are clear for a while, but by the time we reach Charleston, we’re back above the clouds.

We descend again through the overcast as we pass over Quantico and the Potomac River, before making a twisty approach into Dulles, landing on runway 19L. It takes some time to taxi to our gate, and once we’re off the plane, we pick up the pace to reach our next connection, only to find that it’s delayed due to a technical issue.

In the end, we wait almost an hour and a half before boarding. Sadly, there’s no view of the aircraft from our gate, which is always a bit of a letdown for us. Our final ride of this trip is a 1991 United Boeing 767-322ER, registered N642UA. We’re in seats 42E and F, dead center, which means no window views for this last hop. Oh wel, it is a night flight anyway.

The flight home is fairly uneventful. With no window views from our seats, we try to get some sleep, and though it’s not the deepest rest, it does the trick. At least we’re traveling fast; we arrive at Schiphol slightly ahead of schedule.

We park at a remote stand, which usually means a bus ride with good photo opportunities, but not this time. When we try to get a final shot of our 767, we’re facing directly into the sun, which ruins the lighting. Besides, we’re absolutely exhausted. By now, we just want to go home. 

Looking back, this trip ranks very high on our list, we would say even at the very top. We crossed off a major bucket list item by flying the Air Inuit Boeing 737-200, and more importantly… we got engaged! We saw an incredible range of aircraft, wildlife, space hardware, and beautiful landscapes.

Still, there are a few things left undone. We didn’t spot any flying DC-8s or Convairs in Miami this time. As a wise man once said: “You can’t have it all.” But another wise man said: “Gotta catch ’em all.” That pretty much sums up our philosophy, too. And to keep catching, we’ll just have to come back before it’s too late. We’ll see what’s possible. For now, we count our blessings and look forward.

A huge THANK YOU to Rudi, Rudy, Nesrine, Farrah, Maxime, and everyone else who helped make this trip unforgettable. You guys truly rock. It was a real pleasure to meet you all!

And to you, our reader: thank you for following our journey. If you enjoyed our story, feel free to leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you. For now, we’re off to get some rest and recover from this epic adventure.

See you next time, on the next one!