There was a time you would see all kinds of DC3's and other propliners at MIA over in "corrosion corner" as they liked to call it... before Challenge Air Cargo built their warehouse there.
Enjoyed this. About 14 years ago, a good buddy of mine who flew Lears and Gulfstreams sometimes would let me ride along on repositioning flights from either KPBI or KOPF to KBCT. We left KOPF in a Lear 60 with clearance to 5000 ft and they made short work of that climb in less than a minute. RIP to my buddy T.K. I miss you brother.
Mark thank you so much for this video that is me flying the DC3 with Atlantic Air Cargo so cool to see from your perspective. I will be sharing with my friends and family.
Glad I discovered this video! Subscribed… I’m going to go down memory lane here so bear with me. I consider myself an OPF-spotting old-timer of sorts. Late 1990’s I used to commute from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Lakes for a job, driving on the horrendous Palmetto every day. As soon as I took note of the old radial classics taking off nearby, I’d get up real early and swing by OPF to get my daily dose of old iron, and let me tell you…25 years ago, there were a LOT of old propliners at OPF! Convairs 240/340/440s, tons of DC-3s, DC-6s, DC-7s, Albatross…you name it, it was there. Not to mention a thriving general aviation scene with lots of classic twins (Twin Bonanzas, Queenairs, Aero Commanders, etc). It was a dream for classic aviation lovers. I would arrive early before my workshift to watch the departures to the Bahamas, and then right after punching out at work, I’d be back to watch all the planes come in at the end of the day and taxi over to customs. One evening, I observed a very peculiar shape lumbering towards the airport in the pattern…as it got closer, I nearly crapped my pants. It was a Constellation! It was limping in on only 3 engines. Long story short, a Connie enthusiast group bought a derelict Connie from the Dominican Republic (Aerochago) and spent a month on quick repairs to ferry it to Arizona, where it would be fully restored and fly in Europe. I did see it depart, but I learned later on that sadly funds ran out on the project and the plane was canibalized for parts. Over time, many of the operators at OPF went out of business and all those classic propliners either got sold off or scrapped. So today, OPF is primarily a hub for coast guard ops or business aircraft. Those few DC-3s and one radial Convair (not seen in the video) are the sole survivors from those crazy cargo days I experienced many years ago.
I worked at Bombardier in OPF and watching the DC-3s start up was the highlight of my days. That, and also watching airport ops drive over taxiway lights
I would imagine taxiing a DC-3 would be pretty challenging with the way it's angled up there sitting on that tiny back tire. Those Dassault Falcon 7X's are something else!
Its about time someone starting to plane spot at opalocka. During the airshow there i was there taking some great pictures. Good thing there you'll get a little of everything witch is great. Keep them coming. Great work
OUTSTANDING!!!! I love all the different types of aircraft. I especially like the Convair 580?s. I like them better with the Pratt and Whitney radials!!!!
Good video, live in North Miami. Listen all the time to 134.675 on an Icom R-7000.😊 Shots of 9L/27R from the road running behind Florida Memorial College.
Hi! I live a few miles from Opa Locka Airport and I always seeing the DC-3's and Skytrains flying there on approach or taking off. Its really cool to see them fly at the local airport. I say the DC-3 is still a beautiful bird. But also there are other amazing birds there and I did flew out of Opa Locka Airport when I was dabbling into Pilot Training but will resume it in the future. Didn't know you were there and its cool to see Planespotting closer to home for me.
Would make a great airport for some budget airlines like Breeze,Avelo and Sun Country to ease the crowding of Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports.
I had a job in the industrial park across the road. Got a hot dog from that Ractrac and a drink, pulled into a great spot mid runway for a quick lunch, guy next to me in a mini van. Under 90 seconds private security lit up those orange lights and had me move along PRONTO. Literally hot dog in hand and she pulls in ready to call reinforcements should a napkin drop! Next day. Same spot, same result. I flipped her off THEN I moved along. If you don’t like your job…… It was that long side road, outside the chain link fence semis running EVERYWHERE!
