Final approachToronto, ON, March 2011
About this photo: Thematic continues to explore aerial-themed photography, and you're invited along for the ride. Just click here to share your own. We'll be doing this through the weekend, with a new theme launching Monday.Inevitably, every flight comes back down to Earth. If luck is on your side, it does so in a controlled, gentle manner. The routine nature of modern aviation makes this a virtual certainty whenever you board a plane, of course, but that doesn't stop me from musing about the magic that makes the entire process possible. It'll never get old for me.
The particular plane I had boarded this day was - and presumably still is - a Dash-8. This twin-engine turboprop-powered commuter aircraft was originally designed by deHavilland before that company was bought by Montreal-based Bombardier (they make Ski-Doos, Sea-Doos and the Challenger business jet, among others.) Now known as the Q-Series, this plane has a longstanding reputation as a robust, efficient example of Canadian aviation ingenuity.
One of the neat things about this design is the landing gear. The entire assembly folds out of a position under the wing-mounted engine. Unlike a regular jetliner, where the gear comes out from under the fuselage, this allows passengers to see the machinery at work. Most folks are usually too busy surreptitiously e-mailing their buddies on their iPhones and BlackBerrys to notice, but that doesn't make it any less neat.
It was neat on this day, too, as I held my breath in the final seconds before this magnificent flying machine returned to earth once more. Routine, I know, but still...
Your turn: Something seemingly mundane...that isn't. Please discuss.
