Photo of the Day

Frequent contributor Bill Walker submitted this photo, explaining he was flying his Cessna 180 Skywagon south of his airstrip in Marion County, South Carolina, at 1,500 feet in late March 2025 when he encountered heavy smoke. But unlike recent, damaging forest fires near the coast in neighboring Horry County, there was no need to call the fire department. Local foresters were using a controlled burn to clear out under a large growth of pines. Farmers also burn their fields to control growth of unwanted plants prior to spring planting.”

John Chirtea submitted this photo and note: “Pilots Heather and John Chirtea are a father and daughter team and one of five private owners in the country flying the BlackFly eVTOL. They fly it regularly out of their backyard without requiring a runway or a road. This flying car is being developed by Pivotal Aero in Palo Alto, California.”

Pete Mapes submitted this photo and note: “An 18-year-old woman finishes her check ride at Carroll County Regional Airport/Jack B Poage Field (KDMW) in Westminster, Maryland, on Jan. 15, 2025, and takes off — into the sun — to return the 1953 TriPacer she borrowed for her training. Two months later, she was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy. Photo taken from the #2 aircraft, a 1964 Mooney Master.”

Gary Lanthrum submitted this photo and note: “A late winter/early spring flight to San Juan Island. The wide angle of my video camera caught both the harbor and the airport as I turned from base to final at Friday Harbor Airport (KFHR) in Washington.”

David Wyatt submitted this photo and note: “My wife, Heather, captured this photo as we were traveling up the waterfront of Elliott Bay in Seattle in our Cessna 182 Skylane. It’s become an iconic photo for us, framed in our living room and a great conversation starter for our adventures around the Puget Sound.”

Pete Gutmann submitted this photo and note: “Preparing to launch on a long cross-country back to the midwest from Spokane, Washington, in September 2024. A perfect morning with cool temperatures, no wind, beautiful skies. RV bliss.”

Karyn King submitted this photo and note: “Pilot Joe Griffith with copilot/photographer Karyn King landed their Nanchang CJ at the airport in Marana, Arizona, for breakfast. Delighted and surprised to see a beautiful North American T-6 parked beside us as if it was a mini air show display!”

Dave Cohen submitted this photo and note: “Sugar cane is a major agricultural product of Palm Beach County, Florida. Once it’s harvested, the remaining stalks are burned to clear the field. From 2,500 feet in my 1967 Cessna 172, “Lily,” near Lake Okeechobee, the smoke almost resembled lenticular clouds over mountains.”