Gallery: 2024 Aviation Week Photo Contest Early Entries

July 31, 2024
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King

Air-to-Air: Farewell, Sea King

Credit: Yonatan Alhanaty | Jerusalem, Israel

The German Navy is retiring its Sikorsky SH-3 Sea Kings after 50 years of service, and it painted one especially for the occasion. This photo was taken near Wilhelmshaven, Germany during a photo mission with the Aviation Photo Crew.

Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet

Air-to-Air: Alpha Jet Gear Swing

Credit: Yonatan Alhanaty | Jerusalem, Israel

A Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet of the international Top Aces organization performs a gear swing. This photo was taken near Wilhelmshaven, Germany during a photo mission with the Aviation Photo Crew.

ITA Airways Airbus A220-100

Commercial Aviation: ITA Airways Airbus A220-100

Credit: Stuart Kennedy | Isleworth, Alabama

An ITA Airways Airbus A220-100 arrives at London City Airport from Milan Linate.

C-46 Commando

Commercial Aviation: C-46 Commando

Credit: Yonatan Alhanaty | Jerusalem, Israel
Although manufactured in 1944, this C-46 Commando is still flying daily to provide fuel to remote villages in Alaska. This C-46 is operated in commercial service by Everts Air, which also operates some DC-6s. This photo was taken in Kenai, Alaska.
Mi-24 Hind

Defense: Ivan One One

Credit: Thomas Backus | Laveen, Arizona

A contractor-operated Mi-24 "Hind" helicopter lands at MCAS Yuma, AZ, during the bi-annual Weapons and Tactics Instructor course.

F-35 Lightning II

Defense: F-35 Silhouette at Sun 'n Fun

Credit: Matthew Geleske | Mount Dora, Florida

This F-35 at Lakeland, Florida's Sun 'n' Fun evening airshow was flown by Capt. Melanie "Mach" Kluesner.

F-16 Falcon

Defense: Thunderbird Through The Moon

Credit: Matthew Geleske | Mount Dora, Florida

A U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 performs at Florida's Sun 'n Fun Airshow. This Moon shot occurred at just the right moment when Thunderbird 5 split off from the delta formation.

National Airlines Cargo 747-400

General Aviation: National Airlines Cargo 747-400

Credit: Michael Gonzales | Redondo Beach, California

A National Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400F departs Los Angeles International Airport. 

American Champion Super Decathlon

General Aviation: Ribbon Cutting

Credit: Carolyn Hinton Hutchins | Kissimmee, Florida

Greg Koontz delights the crowd on the opening day of Sun 'n Fun 2024 by cutting a ribbon while flying his American Champion Super Decathlon upside down.

De Havilland Chipmunk

General Aviation: Fireworks

Credit: Carolyn Hinton Hutchins | Kissimmee, Florida

Nathan Hammond of Ghostwriter Airshows flies his de Havilland-Canada Super Chipmunk and shoots off fireworks at Sun 'n Fun 2024 in Lakeland, Florida.

General Aviation: Inspiration at Sunset

Credit: Carolyn Hinton Hutchins | Kissimmee, Florida

Children sit above the crowd for a view of the sunset flights near Paradise City at Sun 'n Fun 2024.

T-6 Texan

General Aviation: Warbird Enjoying The Show

Credit: Michael Fettig | Orlando, Florida

A 41-sec. exposure from Sun 'n Fun 2024. A warbird enjoys the nighttime airshow finale.

Lockheed Constellation

General Aviation: Connie

Credit: Michael Fettig | Orlando, Florida

A Lockheed Constellation soars proudly past the crowd at Sun 'n Fun 2024.

North American P-51 Mustang

Photo Illustration: P-51 Front and Center for 50th Anniversary

Credit: Chuck Edwards | Spring Hill, Florida

This North American P-51 was the star attraction of Sun 'n' Fun 2024's Night Airshow and fireworks display, which included a drone aerobatic show and laser lights. It was the show's golden anniversary.

F-16 Falcon

Photo Illustration: F-16 Displays Arms

Credit: Chuck Edwards | Spring Hill, Florida

An armed F-16 displays its hardware as it passes the tower at Sun 'n Fun 2024.

X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle

Space: X-37 Launch

Credit: Trace Tomme | Kettering, Ohio

The launch of the Boeing X-37 by a Falcon Heavy as seen from Parris Island, South Carolina. The second-stage ignition, as well as the first-stage boosters being relit, are visible.

Aviation Week's 2024 Photo Challenge is off to a sunny start.

The challenge is out to the world's photographers to submit their best aviation and aerospace work. Enter today.

Contestants can submit their work under any of six categories: Air-to-Air, Commercial Aviation, Defense, General Aviation, Photo Illustration and Space. 

Comments

1 Comment
Kurt
Fri, 01/24/2025 - 15:46
Didn't know that Sea Kings were still around. Had a patient back in the day who piloted C-47's and C-46's. Said the 46 was a "Witch" to fly if you get my drift. The F-35 at sunset flown by a lady pilot supports what I've read. The women can do just as good as the men if they train for it. I remember a then current Thunderbird pilot was asked if he could fly any of the past hardware the Thunderbirds used. He replied, "The F-4 Phantom". I saw'em fly too with the F-4 back in the day and those twin J-79's really screamed and impressed this kid. Especially when they went into a straight up climb and lit both burners. The earth actually shook as I could feel it under my feet. I think they stopped using it as it burned so much gas. Decathlons were airshow staples when I was younger too along with Super Chipmunks. Ribbon cutting is a safe way to show off. John Travolta originally wanted to buy a restoreable Connie but decided on the 707 as the overhaul cost on the pistons engines would be too much even for him. His 707 is going to a museum as the engines would need to be overhauled soon and he doesn't want to deal with it. The P-51 is always an airshow staple and some of the shows I went to had a Mark IX Spitfire and a P-38 both flyable owned by the same person. The Spit had the loud Merlin and the '38 the quiet contra-rotating Allison engines. Saw one fly and I learned why the Japanese soldiers called the P-38 "whispering death". Those engines were so quiet a plane could sneak up on a position in a surprise attack.
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