A Little New Year's Eve Warm-Up.

The End Of 2015 Is "Swiftly" At-Hand.

Shot location: SJC (Photo courtesy of Wardski)

Twofer Tuesday: NASA Guppy Visits The (Now Defunct) Boeing C-17 Factory.

Shot location: LGB (Photos courtesy of the, also defunct, Long Beach Aviation Bureau)

In Kansas, They Use A Straw Man To Keep Away Annoying Crows. In Nebraska, They Use A Thud To Keep Away Annoying MiGs.

"Scarethud," anyone?

Shot location: Ashland, Nebraska (Photo courtesy of Commander John Flores, Ret.)

Merry Christmas To All From Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.

Yeah, if we were Santa, we wouldn't use that slow, boring, lonely sleigh, either.

God Bless, to all!

It's Christmas Eve. Time To Load Up The Family And Head On Over To Grandma's House.

Shot location: NZWD (Photo courtesy of Jimbo, Jimbob, and the USAF)

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer: Gulftream III Captain's Windshield. Shattered at 24,000-Feet Out Of Honolulu, But Still A Great Conversation Piece.

Once belonged to N213BA, and if you are attending the Long Beach, CA Airliner Collectible show on January 9th, 2016, it's for sale.  Great piece of aviation art, for cheap!

Crazy Eights!

Shot location: LAX (Photo courtesy of Hosemonster)

Chicks 'N Airplanes. This One's Dedicated To "Commando."

Shot location: Unknown (Photo courtesy of Horst Muleman)

Friday Night "Under The" Lights.

Our former lunch spot: The RON Ramp.

 
Back in the old American Trans Air (ATA) maintenance days at Ontario International Airport (ONT), we used to do lunch, more often than not, in our old, clapped-out Cheech & Chong van over at the Remain Over Night (RON) ramp.  The RON ramp was where we usually feasted on the meals the ATA crews used to leave for us poor, hungry, dead-of-the-night, Boeing 737 Mechanic-Types (as mentioned in a previous installment from the "Maintenance Files). 

While enjoying the finest of Inflight Kitchen cuisine from the van, we used to field stares from Airport Police (the Ontario flat-foots were a particularly suspicious bunch), catch up on paperwork, catch up on sleep, watch the late-night south of the border arrivals, be entertained by the UPS and FedEx action, and check out the pilot training Skywest Airlines used to conduct in their EMB-120's.  From the radio chatter, most of their mission training profiles were RWY 8L/R ILS backcourse approaches to and from the POM VOR.  It was interesting to hear their turbo-props droning through the night as we worked.

As to the aforementioned RON ramp/lunchroom, it was always an interesting mix of Southwest 737's, Delta 737's and 757's, American MD-80's and 737's, Alaska MD-80's, Aero Mexico MD-87's (Long Live the Mad Dog!) and 737's, U.S. Air A320's, and the usual mix of Horizon and Skywest CRJ's.  Even though we worked on airplanes for a living, we never tired of them, so roaming the RON "Lot" was always a joy.  One, usual, RON'er was the special-liveried CRJ in the above photo, as it was a nice break from the usual corporate schemed Skywest equipment.

Even though the experience was some years ago, the sights, the sounds, and yes, even the smells of the airport are still fresh in the mind.  And, though it was a major airport in the middle of a big metropolis, it was a nice piece of quiet Heaven, in the middle of the night, for a couple of weary, aviation-loving, mechanics.

Geographical Conflict Analysis: When Ukraine Crossed The Poles On British Soil.

Shot location: LGW (Photo courtesy of Sir Robbie Shaw)

Our Salute To The Latest Star Wars Release, "The Force Awakens."

Shot location: SJC (Photo courtesy of Ben Wang)

"Obi-Wan, I Jacked Up Another One!" "May The Remorse Be With You, Luke. Remember, Your Eyes Can Deceive You."

Shot location: LAX (Photo courtesy of Captain Carter)

"Spirit Of Renton"

Shot location: RNT (Photo courtesy of The Seattle Times)

"Follow Me" To Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.

Friend of the site, and all-around Great American, Commander John Flores, shown marshaling a U.S. Navy DC-130A "Herky" for the camera.  Note Ryan Firebee on the starboard wing pylon.

Shot location: NRR (former Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station)

Photo courtesy of Commander John Flores, Retired

The Clouds Were Not The Only Thing Closing In On Our Intrepid Photographer.

Shot location: MIA (Photo courtesy of Bob Holland)

We Prove The Existence Of Previously Theorized "Dark Matter."

Shot location: LAX (Photo courtesy of Michael Breckshot)

Meanwhile, On The Other Side Of The Planet...

"I tried to get the whole airplane in there. I really, really did!"

Shot location: FAE (Photo courtesy of Marcus)

Yes, Ladies And Gentlemen, Boeing Actually Did Roll Out The 737 MAX At Renton, Today.

Photos courtesy of The Seattle Times

Here is the link to the Story.

Another Southern California Aviation Landmark To Disappear Soon - The TWA Hanger At LAX.

In the above photo, the TWA hanger is at top while the lower hanger belongs to American Airlines.

Don't know if anyone out there actually reads Airport Master Plans (AMP), or their little brother the Airport Layout Plan (ALP), however, we here at Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos actually do read the things.  Not only are they interesting to peruse, but they are also chock full of information for the aviation buff.  Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) is no exception.

Buried deep in the LAX AMP are some very ambitious projects, not all of them sensible, nor even required.  However, in this case, it seems the Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) peeps are jonesing for a new Midfield Satellite Concourse, along with a proposed Taxilane Tango (T).  Well, lo' and behold, the plans run smack dab through the old TWA hanger.  To hell with history, "It's got to go," they say!  Eventually, even its counterpart for many decades, the AA maintenance hanger, will be bulldozed, too.   If you have the time (and coffee), the "Description of the Proposed Project" is well worth the read.

Thus, if any of youse have been to LAX as of late, you will have noticed a flurry of construction activity at the western-most end of the airfield (southwest corner), adjacent Pershing Drive.  Well, that is the future home of the new Qantas Maintenance Center, expressly erectred to care for the airlines A380's on this side of the Pacific.  It is slated for completion as soon as possible, being Qantas will be fined up to $50,000 USD for everyday they occupy the old hanger past December 31, 2015.

Built in 1958, we're going to miss the old hanger.  There was a lot of aviation history there, and we bet if one listens very carefully, wafting on the cool, evening, ocean breeze, you can still hear the voice of Joe Patroni.

Top photo courtesy of CaptainVector, lower photo courtesy of Sam Chui

Call To All Photographers: Our Photo Search Is On. Submit Your "Work" And Be World-Famous.

Editors Note: This was originally posted on Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos in 2008

Care to be infamous? Brave enough to take credit for a Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photo?  Whether you were sober, or totally hammered at the time of shutter release, we are looking for you.

Yes, we are seeking all the Messed-Up, Screwed-Up, Totally-Blown, Buggered, Duds, Mistakes, Oops, Darn’s, Dammit's, Dang Blammits, and Oh-Shit's.

C’mon, we know you are out there.  Drop us a line with the goods, and all will be well with the world.  Our hard working staff is waiting.

Remember, don't delete.  Just submit and repeat.

From The Files Of The Semi-Way Back Machine: Long Live The Mad Dog!

Shot location: ONT (Photo courtesy of Wishy)

Sad Aviation News Out Of Long Beach Today: Qatar Air Force Received The Last EVER Boeing Built, Douglas Designed, C-17. Indeed The End Of An Era.

Shot location: LGB (Photo courtesy of Eric Alford)

It's Black Friday. Here's A Killer Deal For Everyone To Enjoy.

Shot location: LAX (Photo courtesy of Andrew)

Happy Thanksgiving, And Blessings To All, From The Staff At Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos. As For The Turkey, If You Don't Like Breasts, Have A "Leg," On Us.

Boeing 767 drumstick, anyone?

Shot location: LAX (Photo courtesy of Henry's Dad)

With Thanksgiving Around The Corner, Why Have Turkey When You Can Have A "Meatball."

Shot location: NJK (Photo courtesy of Captain Carter)

Twofer Tuesday: Air India "Night Moves."

Shot location: SJC (Photos courtesy of Wardski)

Before Every Boeing 737 Flies Out Of Renton, They All Slither In On Their Bellies.

Shot location: Thompson Falls, Montana

A Long Time Ago, On An Airport Ramp, Far, Far Away... Episode II: The Birthday Maintenance Selfie.

Another night on the ramp at ONT, with N319TZ to keep me company.

Yes, today is the official birthday of the Founder of Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.  Boy, did that year go fast!

To sum it all up, though I do not have all that many hours on my body, I do have a whole lot of cycles, have had a crap-load of fun, and met many great people throughout aviation, so to quote Robert Frost, "And that has made all the difference."  

Truth be told, even though there is one more year on my tired airframe, and I'm one step closer to the scrapper's torch, hopefully the wackiness of this whole bit will continue on for a very, very long time.

Come along for the ride, as it is only going to get a whole lot more interesting here at Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.

Regards,

Darryl Bustamante

Friday Night Video's: "Just How Tight Was That Blue Angels Formation?" "Well, It Was Tighter Than A Fishes Asshole, And Those Are Watertight."

Video Location: NAS Chase Field

Sex + Gulfstream + Cool Paint Job = "Sexyjet" N888XY.

We've seen some pretty interesting paint jobs from time-to-time amongst the almost endless sea of Bizjet White, but this bird, N888XY, pretty much takes the cake, and is, well, sexy.

Video courtesy of Duncan Aviation.

The Eclectic Side Of Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.

Shot location: Near LAS (Photo courtesy of Joe "The G" Walker)

In Reality Everyday Is Veterans Day.

Shot location: MHR (Photo courtesy of Commander John Flores, Retired)

A Long Time Ago, In A Hanger Far, Far Away…

Episode I: The Maintenance Selfie

Friend, aviation engineer extraordinaire, and my former boss when we did contract maintenance for American Trans Air (ATA) at ONT, here is Brandon giving a big, fat turbofan some lovin'.

He used to work with Continental, but now he is onto bigger and better gigs.

In aviation, you will not meet a finer person.

Shot location: LAX

With Veterans Day Around The Corner, A Salute To The United States Military, And Fond Remembrance Of An Old Friend.

From the Maintenance Files: An ETOPS Check on N319TZ at ONT.

It seems a thousand lifetimes ago it now, however, it is all still quite clear in memory.  Yes, those were the whacky, fun times of contract FAR Part 121 maintenance on the American Trans Air (ATA) rocket sleds.  God rest their souls, as the demise of ATA was like losing an old friend.

From the nights (and occasional days) out on the ramp, Gate 408 was our home in the heat, the cold, the lack of sleep, bad coffee, the road trips over to KRIV, the clapped out Cheech & Chong maintenance van, quirky airport police, to the shack for an office, and, we would not have traded it all for anything.

The bulk of those wonderful times were spent wrenching on Boeing 737-800's, then earning their keep plowing the ONT-HNL route.  Those "Baby-Boeings" were well-worn by the time we got our hands on them, but they were excellently maintained, and dang reliable.  Their crews were among the nicest folks to us, as Maintenance usually does not get any accolades, but the ATA peeps never forgot us.  From their professionalism, to their kindness, to even leaving us fresh crew meals, as they knew we lived off shop coffee and vending machines for subsistence, they always remembered us.

While most of the work was on the aforementioned 737's, we did occasionally get to put a wrench to the ATA 757-200’s and 757-300's, plus the remarkable Lockheed L-1011’s.  While the 737's were all doing commercial work, the 757's and Tri-Stars we saw were doing military transport charters, mostly for the United States Marine Corps.  That was fun, because we got to go over to March Air Force Reserve Base to meet them, and truth be told, the U.S. Military personnel were the finest, and most courteous, people to work with.

Yes, those were some fun times, indeed.

And, there are still plenty more tales to tell.  Stay tuned.

The Old Delayed Action, Wait Till Their Too Far Away, Shutter Technique. It Works, Everytime.

Shot location: LAX (Photo courtesy of Michael Breckshot)

ONT POM8 301° 14000 MSL SULZU 047° → DAG

From The "It Had To Happen Sooner Or Later" Department: The Emirates A380, With Jetpack Equipped Yves Rossy & Company, Formation Flight.

Auto Focus Gone Wild!

Shot location: LAX (Photo courtesy of CaptainVector)

Having Delivered Toys To All Of The Good Little Boys And Girls In Long Beach, The Great Pumpkin Heads To Sacramento. Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Shot location: Over LAX

"This Is Not The Droid You Are Looking For." R2-D2, Disguised As The Star Wars Boeing 787, Escapes From San Jose.

Shot location: SJC (Photo courtesy of Wardski)

Threefor Thursday: Chicks 'N Airplanes. Or, Why The Air Hostess Has Our Respect.

Shot locations: Who Cares!

Photographers: Lucky!

Boeing 787 ZA003 (N787BX) Moved To Its Permanent Home At The Boeing Field Museum Of Flight.

Shot location: BFI (Photos courtesy of Joe "The G" Walker)