Defense Pilots Perspective 2016 Aviation Week Photo Contest Finalists

Sonoran Desert Thunder
Brian Emch, Lancaster, CaliforniaA 107th Fighter Sqdn. "Hawg" fires its guns on a strafing run at Gila Bend, Arizona, during Hawgsmoke.

Turbo Patrol
Aldo Wicki, Kerzers, SwitzerlandA Swiss air force Pilatus PC-7 patrols over the World Economic Forum on a late winter afternoon.

A Winter Sky's Full Moon Looping
Aldo Wicki, Kerzers, SwitzerlandA Swiss air force Pilatus PC-7 graciously loops into a rising winter full moon.

Almost There!
Antonio Biasus, Canoas, BrazilAir refueling near Canoas AFB in Brazil.

Not So Close!
Antonio Biasus, Canoas, BrazilTwo-ship formation near Canoas AFB n Brazil.

Pilatus PC6 Swiss Air Force 1
Peter Lewis, SwitzerlandPilatus PC6, Swiss air force.

Onboard with the 'Hitman'
Stuart Sanders, Nanaimo, British ColumbiaOnboard with Snowbird 5, Capt Matthew "Hitman" Hart as boss leads the formation in a low- approach down Runway 07 at the Abbotsford International Airshow.

Spartan Above the Clouds
Ognyan Stefanov, Sofia, BulgariaBulgarian air force Spartan over the clouds near Graf Ignatievo AFB, Bulgaria.

Bulgarian Air Force Su-25
Ognyan Stefanov, Sofia, BulgariaBulgarian air force Su-25 during a low-level training flight over Thracian plain.

Royal Canadian Air Force Buffalo
Jason Pineau, Yellowknife, Northwest TerritoryA Canadian air force de Havilland Buffalo aircraft conducts training in the rain in Sechelt, British Columbia.

An A-10 'Painting'
James Haseltine, Omaha, NebraskaAn A-10C from the 190th Fighter Sqdn. rolls left high over the Utah Test and Training range during a sortie. The lakebed background and the jet almost look fake, like a painting, on Feb. 25.

'Ace Maker II' Top Cover over 'Taboo' F-22 Demo Pilot
Gregory Colyer, San Rafael, CaliforniaTaken during Chino POF Airshow .

Jayhawk Pilots
David Lau, Doylestown, PennsylvaniaU.S pilots showcasing the Jayhawk's capability at a SAR demo.

Embraer KC390 Parachute Extraction
David Branco Filho, Sao Jose dos Campos, BrazilAn Embraer KC-390 prototype testing an inflight parachute extraction at Campo Grande, Brazil.
Winning Photos From 2016 Contest
Photo Contest Home Page: Winning Photos, Bios, More Galleries
Defense Finalists: On The Ground
Descriptions of photos are provided by the photographers. Although we make corrections when possible, we are unable to verify every detail provided with the photos or research photo subjects.