Proof Delta Flew Boeing 767s to DCA!
Dec 2, 2012, 9:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 111
Proof Delta Flew Boeing 767s to DCA!
Good morning!
Shortly before Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, Delta did a handful of route proving flights ATL-DCA using the 767-300. The first of these flights was on ship 136 (if memory serves). I non-rev'd on the first route proving flight ATL-DCA specifically for this purpose.
Anyway, I was going through some photo archives from 2008 and figure I'd share a few of the shots I took with the forum here. Perhaps some of you will appreciate the uniqueness of these shots, as widebodies into DCA is something you hardly ever see (and from what I understand, hasn't been seen since)! The issue with DCA was, of course, not DCA's runway length, but the "tightness" of National's taxiways in terms of their proximity to active runways and other taxiways. Anyway, on to the photos...
Gate A19. I've boarded many 767 flights to Florida and the west coast from this gate, as I suspect many have you have as well!
In the climb out, DCA-bound:
As this was an equipment swap from a 757, it was a relatively empty flight:
I was hoping that we'd be assigned the River Visual approach to runway 19, and it turns out that's what happened!
Our gigantic bird parked at DCA's gate 21, the only 767-capable gate on the B pier:
As I said, the issue with DCA isn't runway length, but taxiway clearance with the 767's wingspan, as you can see here:
I didn't stay long. I was cleared onto the DCA-ATL return leg immediately after I deplaned. So long, DCA!
Date of this flight was December 8, 2009 and aircraft was N136DL. Thanks for stopping by!
Shortly before Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, Delta did a handful of route proving flights ATL-DCA using the 767-300. The first of these flights was on ship 136 (if memory serves). I non-rev'd on the first route proving flight ATL-DCA specifically for this purpose.
Anyway, I was going through some photo archives from 2008 and figure I'd share a few of the shots I took with the forum here. Perhaps some of you will appreciate the uniqueness of these shots, as widebodies into DCA is something you hardly ever see (and from what I understand, hasn't been seen since)! The issue with DCA was, of course, not DCA's runway length, but the "tightness" of National's taxiways in terms of their proximity to active runways and other taxiways. Anyway, on to the photos...
Gate A19. I've boarded many 767 flights to Florida and the west coast from this gate, as I suspect many have you have as well!
In the climb out, DCA-bound:
As this was an equipment swap from a 757, it was a relatively empty flight:
I was hoping that we'd be assigned the River Visual approach to runway 19, and it turns out that's what happened!
Our gigantic bird parked at DCA's gate 21, the only 767-capable gate on the B pier:
As I said, the issue with DCA isn't runway length, but taxiway clearance with the 767's wingspan, as you can see here:
I didn't stay long. I was cleared onto the DCA-ATL return leg immediately after I deplaned. So long, DCA!
Date of this flight was December 8, 2009 and aircraft was N136DL. Thanks for stopping by!
Last edited by simuflite; Jan 1, 2014 at 12:56 am
Dec 2, 2012, 10:34 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
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Ahh, the RIVER Visual for RWY 19. Perhaps my favorite approach in the US. Thanks for the cool pix. I remember seeing some 767's subbed into RDU in the early 2000's.
I'm going to guess that DL @ DCA doesn't have cargo loaders, so I guess they just bulk loaded the pits? Maybe that's why I count *9* rampers in the picture above.
I'm going to guess that DL @ DCA doesn't have cargo loaders, so I guess they just bulk loaded the pits? Maybe that's why I count *9* rampers in the picture above.
Dec 2, 2012, 10:36 am
#3
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There was also a 767-300 on ATL-DCA-ATL on the Sunday after Thanksgiving a week ago - one of my friends non-rev'd on it and said it was quite the takeoff out of DCA.
Dec 2, 2012, 5:40 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Jan 18, 2013, 8:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2012
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Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy the photos in this thread.
I was curious if anyone knew or if there was a way to find out if there were any widebody aircraft coming in for the inauguration this weekend? I would really love to head down to gravelly point to check them out.
Thanks!
I was curious if anyone knew or if there was a way to find out if there were any widebody aircraft coming in for the inauguration this weekend? I would really love to head down to gravelly point to check them out.
Thanks!
Jan 19, 2013, 6:40 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Kingdom of the Sun
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Posts: 3,708
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy the photos in this thread.
I was curious if anyone knew or if there was a way to find out if there were any widebody aircraft coming in for the inauguration this weekend? I would really love to head down to gravelly point to check them out.
Thanks!
I was curious if anyone knew or if there was a way to find out if there were any widebody aircraft coming in for the inauguration this weekend? I would really love to head down to gravelly point to check them out.
Thanks!