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picture of a 747 carrying the Space Shuttle Endeavour taken from the passenger window of a C9 Pathfinder [1280×960] (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by feureau

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[–]FTWinston 131 points132 points ago

That is very close. Considering you hear about "near miss" incidents when aircraft pass within several thousand feet of each other, and there are (technically) 3 aircraft sitting practically right on top of each other right there.

Great photo, though.

[–]Cyclone-Bill 55 points56 points ago

Yeah I was gonna say that too... that is seriously close, I don't see how they were allowed to be that close to another plane...

[–]SirNoName 64 points65 points ago

Military.
Near misses for civilian jets have a rather large safety margin. 3 miles laterally while en-route or 2 while on approach (even less if making parallel approaches, I've been on approach into Atlanta with 2 jets on parallel approach, making 3 jets within 1.75 miles from each other). [This is for IFR]

Anyway, to get off my tangent. Military aircrews are allowed to fly in formation with each other. Plus you can get special permits for air-air photo shoots. This would be similar to flying in formation with a tanker, for example.

[–]SovietSteve 19 points20 points ago

Was going to say this, military aircraft can nearly fly wing-to-wing in formation, particularly in take off/landing when they go in pairs.

[–]shankinstuff 6 points7 points ago

Oh man, I remember my first time flying into Atlanta and looking out the window on the final approach and thinking to myself 'well, this is it, it's been a good run' in regards to how close the plane landing parallel to us was and me thinking we were going to hit it.

[–]SirNoName 3 points4 points ago

Its a fun airport to go into.
And its surprisingly well run, considering the traffic through it.

[–]abdomino -1 points0 points ago

I'd probably take the moment to forward /r/gore to all of my contacts, then make certain that my will is up to date. It's difficult to keep track of which person I want to have my ashes thrown at the most at any given time. I'd probably just make it the pilot if he makes it, or the wife if he doesn't.

Either way, it'd be awkward when I got off.

[–]Bring_dem 96 points97 points ago

Trained government pilots flying both planes in a controlled situation is my guess.

[–]Cyclone-Bill 8 points9 points ago

Ah, makes sense. Don't know why I didn't think of that!

[–]MoT 19 points20 points ago

How is it not called a near hit, is beyond me.

[–]TheSuperSax 18 points19 points ago

Oh, George.

[–]Cradd710 11 points12 points ago

"Get on the plane get on the plane" FUCK YOU I'M GETTING IN THE PLANE! Let Evel Knievel get ON the plane.

[–]atorger1 5 points6 points ago

I'll be in here with you folks in uniform! There seems to be less WIND in here!

[–]TheSuperSax 3 points4 points ago

Where's the gate? There are no gates! I missed three planes looking for a gate!

[–]hj17 1 point2 points ago

Because you missed, but you were near them.

[–]MoT 0 points1 point ago

It's a reference to this joke.

[–]Rothulfossil 3 points4 points ago

And one aircraft literally right on top of another.

[–]TinHao -1 points0 points ago

That would be pretty scary to be in that plane if you weren't flying..at least as pilot, you have a sense that you control your own destiny a little.

[–]KeytarVillain 0 points1 point ago

From another comment:

The aircraft is a C-9 Nightingale that acts as a pathfinder by flying 100 miles ahead of the 747-shuttle and reports on weather conditions. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/pathfinder.html

[–]Opendarkcode -1 points0 points ago

Also near misses are two planes flying towards each other more or less doubling the speed at which the would collide something just in the air and as both planes picture are at the same speed risk is severally lowered , but it still stands that they are very close even in those circumstances.

[–]Mad_Madam_Mim 45 points46 points ago

My friend just took this picture in Austin out of his office window: http://i.imgur.com/B53DO.jpg

[–]drewniverse 3 points4 points ago

I should go downtown San Diego and get access to the parking structure the jumbos fly over to land.

edit: to take a picture... i mean..

[–]Golden-Calf 3 points4 points ago

That deserves to be its own post, go post it in /r/pics or something!

[–]withmorten 0 points1 point ago

Oh come on, dozens of shuttle pics again?

[–]cobalt999 24 points25 points ago

I'm going to see a flyby of the shuttle on piggyback Friday! It's enroute to LA and they're passing by here at low altitude so people can watch.

[–]BeanBone 22 points23 points ago

They flew right over my building at about 1500 feet yesterday. Looked even lower in person.

[–]SavageNoble 8 points9 points ago

I'm jealous! My mom works at Ellington Field in Houston where they landed it yesterday, so she and her coworkers got all kinds of great shots.

Personally, as a Houstonian, I think we should have kept it once it landed. No one ever said "Los Angeles, we have a problem."

[–]eriwinsto 4 points5 points ago

This was on /r/houston yesterday, and pretty well sums up my feeling on the issue.

[–]SavageNoble 1 point2 points ago

I had briefly considered an armed insurrection, but ... yeah, they have jets and stuff.

[–]Willypissybumbum 1 point2 points ago

I am so jealous. So, so, so jealous.

Have a great time!

[–]thought4food 1 point2 points ago

Cool! Where are you?

[–]cobalt999 1 point2 points ago

It's going to be at Moffett Field near Mountain View CA.

[–]cysun 0 points1 point ago

Just don't forget your camera.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]The-Mathematician 0 points1 point ago

Jesus. What the fuck, OP?

[–]okaufman 12 points13 points ago

Best air/air photo I've seen yet!

[–]MrGoodbytes 7 points8 points ago

I'm curious about the 747's Angle of Attack. Is it climbing? Or does it hold that high of a pitch just create lift with a load like the Shuttle? Or is it just an illusion?

[–]diewhitegirls 9 points10 points ago

Look how low to the ground they are. They're probably just taking off.

[–]Peastie 2 points3 points ago

Plus the C-9's flaps are still partially extended, which is the typical situation shortly after take-off.

[–]D__ 3 points4 points ago

Or does it hold that high of a pitch just create lift with a load like the Shuttle?

That makes me wonder: does the shuttle itself contribute to the overall lift created when tethered to the carrier aircraft?

[–]Flying_Assassin 3 points4 points ago

When cruising, the 747 does tend to hold a higher than usual AoA.

But yeah, as the other guy said, it appears to be climbing after takeoff.

[–]FractalGlitch 1 point2 points ago

Aerospace engineer and small aircraft pilot here: they are climbing.

[–]Khue 17 points18 points ago

The title was so long on this that I felt like I should append this to the end...

picture of a 747 carrying the Space Shuttle Endeavour taken from the passenger window of a C9 Pathfinder [1280×960] while drinking your juice in the hood.

[–]Wyrmshadow 5 points6 points ago

I thought the C9 was called a Nightingale.

[–]KingTheoden 8 points9 points ago

The aircraft is a C-9 Nightingale that acts as a pathfinder by flying 100 miles ahead of the 747-shuttle and reports on weather conditions.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/pathfinder.html

[–]Kairus00 5 points6 points ago

Not to be confused with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Pathfinder

[–]dohko_xar 2 points3 points ago

or with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Pathfinder

[–]collinpetty 1 point2 points ago

or with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Pathfinder

[–]stalled_earth 0 points1 point ago

....people other than Delta Airlines still fly the DC9 or its derivatives? Weird.

Too bad we keep cutting NASA's budget and they can't afford something newer/more advanced that would cut fuel burn and actually still be in production so parts would be available.

[–]Kanilas 0 points1 point ago

I was just on a Super 80 last week. American Airlines flight out of Chicago O'Hare.

[–]pizzabyjake 1 point2 points ago

There are hundreds of DC-9 and MD-80 airplanes still flying in America. While fuel is expensive, having your airplane paid off years ago negates that higher cost. Because Boeing is still around, there are still parts available.

[–]RadioNick 3 points4 points ago

Quick article about the purpose of the C9: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/pathfinder.html

[–]Boa220 0 points1 point ago

Thanks I was wondering what the C9 was.

[–]thought4food 2 points3 points ago

Wowee wow wow wooow.

[–]mezasu 0 points1 point ago

Air traffic controller here... aircraft are supposed to pass either 1000 feet above or below and 5 miles laterally (3 when reduced separation radar sites are available). Seeing this makes me nervous.

[–]pizzabyjake 4 points5 points ago

As an atc, you should realize a C-9 is a military version of a passenger jet.

[–]mezasu 0 points1 point ago

I work in a center (not a tower). Never get to see the airplanes.

I'm sure MARSA was declared or some other type of formation for this to be legal. I see and work formation/military flights nearly every day. But seeing it in a picture is a totally different experience than blips on a scope. It just really puts things into perspective to see it like this.

[–]commi_furious 0 points1 point ago

This has to be one of the coolest things I have ever seen. It looks so much more awesome like this than simply taxing on a runway.

[–]infectedtwin 2 points3 points ago

And that's how Jets are born...

[–]fushi-tarazu 0 points1 point ago

I wonder how close the plane with the photographer is to the carrier plane. Looks like the wings could almost touch. Also, sitting in the space shuttle on top of the plane must be thrilling, especially at the take off. Great picture, an article or a little bit background would be highly appreciated.

[–]chingyduster 0 points1 point ago

GREMLIN ON THE WING!!

Oh wait...

[–]nguyeniethedrew 0 points1 point ago

Seems pretty close...

[–]TheLoveTin 1 point2 points ago

It always amazed me how those small looking braces could keep the shuttle mounted during flight.

[–]Panthertron 0 points1 point ago

God damn that is way too close for comfort, but an awesome photo for sure!

[–]beefwich 0 points1 point ago

I was sitting here in my office and I watched it fly over the Katy Freeway. It was awesome.

Good bye, old girl. Please take care of her, California.

[–]gthing 1 point2 points ago

Why do they keep moving the shuttle around? It seems like someone is posting pictures every month of the shuttle being moved somewhere.

[–]Boa220 2 points3 points ago

There is more than one shuttle, and they are being moved to museums across the country. There is one in New York, Washington D.C and this one is going to Los Angles.

[–]cavortingwebeasties 0 points1 point ago

Is currently it climbing, or does it just fly at an extreme angle of attack?

[–]BagelMaster 1 point2 points ago

Hodor?

[–]grappler0000 0 points1 point ago

Would that make the 747 a shuttle shuttle?

[–]uhwuggawuh[!] 0 points1 point ago

So much America in one picture right there.

[–]KeyboardSlides 0 points1 point ago

My uncle "Duster" flew the C9 escorting the 747.

[–]9babydill 0 points1 point ago

RIP Endeavour, you had a low-earth-orbit life.

[–]samw3d 1 point2 points ago

That is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too close.

[–]Xphex 0 points1 point ago

NO EXCEPTIONS

[–]Lower_Horn 0 points1 point ago

I think the shuttle's diaper is full

[–]ArseAssault 0 points1 point ago

I want to know how they get the shuttle on top of the 747

[–]aazav 0 points1 point ago

And the Joker is piloting the 747, stealing our space shuttle and everyone thinks it's a legit flight.

I would have pinned it on the Riddler, but he could never pass the pilot's test.

[–]Rocktobot 0 points1 point ago

do the planes need to fly so close to each other? o.O

[–]protomd 0 points1 point ago

There are some things that are just so cool all you can do is stare and say "Damn... this is really cool"

[–]JesseTheRef 0 points1 point ago

Oh my yes!!!! Wonderful shot!!!

[–]wendysNO1wcheese 0 points1 point ago

I always wondered how little baby space shuttles were made.

[–]JeremyKylesLovechild -1 points0 points ago

Fuck yeah. Which route were you flying on?

[–]Sharpfeaturedman -2 points-1 points ago

What shuttle is that, again?

[–]JohnJohnMcLovin 0 points1 point ago

rule 34

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