Phoenix - San Jose with AA

[FlyingKiwi]

A rare mid-week post from me as I have an extra day off today. I did this flight last weekend from Phoenix, Arizona to San Jose, California. Weather conditions were decidedly less than optimal for the early morning departure from Phoenix but cleared up nicely as we headed west. Enjoy!

The ATIS is reporting "severe thunderstorms in the area" as we pushback from the gate at 0545 local time. Definitely going to double-check those passenger seat-belt lights are on!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix1EarlyMorningDepartureSevereThunderstormsinArea.jpg

Taxiing to the active runway.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix2.jpg

A particularly nasty cell seems to be lying right in the departure path!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix3.jpg

The gusty crosswind taking hold as soon as the wheels leave the ground.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix4.jpg

Climbing away and struggling a bit to stay on the runway centreline.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix5.jpg

Climbing.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix6.jpg

A lightning strike below us.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix7Lightning.jpg

As we leave Phoenix behind the weather begins to gradually improve.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix8.jpg

Clear skies over the desert and the turbulence we experienced for the first 15 minutes or so is all but gone.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix9.jpg

Another American Airlines MD-80 passes us 1,000ft above in the opposite direction.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix10AnotherAAMD-80OppositeDirection.jpg

Part 2 coming up in the reply.

[FlyingKiwi]

Part 2:

Always a nice day up here.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix11.jpg

Looks like a bit of early morning fog hanging around the coast of California as we begin the descent towards San Jose.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix12.jpg

An ILS approach today although conditions would be suitable for a visual one.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix13.jpg

Runway in sight.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix14.jpg

Much easier conditions compared to the departure from Phoenix.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix15.jpg

From this view it's apparent why the threshold at San Jose Mineta airport is displaced so far!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix16.jpg

In the flare.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix17.jpg

Not the smoothest landing I've ever done, but no harm done.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix18.jpg

Holding short of the right hand runway for a few minutes while some of the morning commuter flights get on their way.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix19.jpg

Parked at the terminal.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/NZFlyingKiwi/Phoenix20.jpg

That's it for this one. Comments welcome!

[peer01]

I like this flight Leo! :cool::cool::cool: Great pics, pity about the weather in Phoenix. :)

[aircav1970]

Great shots Leo and yes,we did have about 3 straight days of late afternoon/evening monsoon rains with 60+ mph winds and a couple of large "Haboobs" (dust storms).Quite a bit of storm damage in several areas and some major flash flooding,Ahh....I love livin' in the desert!:cool:

[adamb]

Fantastic flight and shots Leo, but i'm still not used to seeing you in a commercial jet.:)

Adam

[lifejogger]

Great flight and shots Leo. Looks like scary weather at the start of the flight but good weather at the end.

[Adam24]

Fantastic shots! Really great!! I love AA MD80s:D

[azzaro]

Amazing lighting and majestic towering cumulus in shot #4! A great flight in general. :) — Bob

[FlyingKiwi]

Thanks guys. :) Adam (the first one ;)) - I'm trying to mix things up a bit more lately, but when I finally start exploring FTX NZ a bit more thoroughly I imagine you'll mostly be seeing GA again.

[alexczarn]

I love the MadDogs, some great shots there!

[FlyingKiwi]

Cheers Alex. :)