Piedmont Dash-7 Norfolk to DC

[BillD22]

Some shots of a Piedmont de Havilland Dash-7 commuter operated by Henson Airlines on a flight from Norfolk, Virginia (KORF) up to Washington National Airport (KDCA) in DC.  Back in the day, I made a RW round-trip from DC to Norfolk in an identical airplane.

 

Line up and take off from ORF Runway 05.

 

 

 

Climbing out past the entrance to Hampton Roads.  The Norfolk Naval Base and Norfolk Naval Air Station (KNGU) are visible in the distance at our eight o'clock position behind Willoughby Spit.

 

On the opposite side on the climb-out, we get a view of Cape Charles and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay.  Cape Charles is at the southernmost tip of Virginia's eastern shore.

 

Leveled off over Virginia's middle peninsula at our cruise altitude of 15,000 feet for the short flight to DC.

 

Turning North over Richmond, Virginia to join the IRONS-7 Arrival into DCA.  The runways of Richmond International Airport (KRIC) are visible behind the right wing and the tall buildings of downtown Richmond and the winding James River are off the left.

 

Beginning our descent into the DC area we pass some famous military facilities along the Potomac River.  In this shot, the Dahlgren Naval Surface Warfare Center and Weapons Test Range are visible just above the #3 and 4 engines.  Lots of high explosive ordnance gets test-fired into the open waters off our right wing.

 

A bit farther along.  If the viz was a little better today we could see the runway of Quantico Marine Corps Air Station (KNYG) across the Potomac River off the left wing tip.

 

Gear down, turning, and lined up on the visual approach to Runway 04 at KDCA per MFSFS ATC clearance.  IRL this runway is not used at DCA.

 

 

Roll out

 

At the gate.  

 

 

 

Welcome to Washington. Watch your step!  This also applies to exiting the flight deck which sits several steps above the cabin level.

 

 

 

[Macroburst]

Nice run

[jankees]

nice ones!

[BillD22]

14 hours ago, Macroburst said:

Nice run

 

24 minutes ago, jankees said:

nice ones!

 

Macro & JK - thanks for looking and the good words.

[PhrogPhlyer]

Always loved this area, 

The haze was very RL.

[Rupert]

2 hours ago, PhrogPhlyer said:

Always loved this area, 

The haze was very RL.

I agree on both counts.  Though sad to smog is probably a more apt description these days than the haze which always blanketed the area, hence the term Smokies.

 

And yes, I'm also a huge fan of the Dash!  It's right sized and right powered for the job it does.