Phil Derner
@philderner.substack.com
Gravity Fighter, Aviation Advocate, AvGeek, born in Queens, NY. Former @NYCAviation owner/Operations Mgmt/Dispatcher/Loadmaster. Opinions are my own.
The #DaleFire, 15 miles east of Temecula, is the first wildfire of the season in my region that brought such a wide range of aircraft types: DC-10, C-130s, BAe-146, MD-87, S-2, OV-10, S-61L, C-47, S-60/70, Bell 429, and I'm surely missing some.
I hate NEEDING to see them, but glad they're here.
I hate NEEDING to see them, but glad they're here.
July 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The #DaleFire, 15 miles east of Temecula, is the first wildfire of the season in my region that brought such a wide range of aircraft types: DC-10, C-130s, BAe-146, MD-87, S-2, OV-10, S-61L, C-47, S-60/70, Bell 429, and I'm surely missing some.
I hate NEEDING to see them, but glad they're here.
I hate NEEDING to see them, but glad they're here.
My new TravelPro checked bag came! And FedEx gave it the Spirit Airlines treatment.
Geez.
(Bag is fine)
Geez.
(Bag is fine)
July 12, 2025 at 2:46 AM
My new TravelPro checked bag came! And FedEx gave it the Spirit Airlines treatment.
Geez.
(Bag is fine)
Geez.
(Bag is fine)
Over my house today again, and again at 600ft, 12 miles out.
Certainly not a complaint. Just wondering why.
Certainly not a complaint. Just wondering why.
July 1, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Over my house today again, and again at 600ft, 12 miles out.
Certainly not a complaint. Just wondering why.
Certainly not a complaint. Just wondering why.
NASA’s P-3 Orion, N426NA, seems to be doing a little tour of SoCal. Surprised to see it 600ft off the ground 12 miles out from March Air Base. Not complaining!
Now going over Salton Sea at 750ft, not slowly, either.
Now going over Salton Sea at 750ft, not slowly, either.
June 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
NASA’s P-3 Orion, N426NA, seems to be doing a little tour of SoCal. Surprised to see it 600ft off the ground 12 miles out from March Air Base. Not complaining!
Now going over Salton Sea at 750ft, not slowly, either.
Now going over Salton Sea at 750ft, not slowly, either.
Points transfer from Chase to any of 3 airlines.
Avios (to book Alaska through British) won't let me type in my birthday (3/18) when registering.
Virgin Flying Club (to book Delta) pushes me to book through Virgin site, which is not showing codeshare partners.
Looks like JetBlue it is.
Avios (to book Alaska through British) won't let me type in my birthday (3/18) when registering.
Virgin Flying Club (to book Delta) pushes me to book through Virgin site, which is not showing codeshare partners.
Looks like JetBlue it is.
June 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Points transfer from Chase to any of 3 airlines.
Avios (to book Alaska through British) won't let me type in my birthday (3/18) when registering.
Virgin Flying Club (to book Delta) pushes me to book through Virgin site, which is not showing codeshare partners.
Looks like JetBlue it is.
Avios (to book Alaska through British) won't let me type in my birthday (3/18) when registering.
Virgin Flying Club (to book Delta) pushes me to book through Virgin site, which is not showing codeshare partners.
Looks like JetBlue it is.
Revision:
DC-10 (Omega Air Tanker)
727 (Raytheon)
747-200 (Rolls Royce)
Electra (P-3, US Navy)
Some kinda Time Machine out there.
DC-10 (Omega Air Tanker)
727 (Raytheon)
747-200 (Rolls Royce)
Electra (P-3, US Navy)
Some kinda Time Machine out there.
May 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Revision:
DC-10 (Omega Air Tanker)
727 (Raytheon)
747-200 (Rolls Royce)
Electra (P-3, US Navy)
Some kinda Time Machine out there.
DC-10 (Omega Air Tanker)
727 (Raytheon)
747-200 (Rolls Royce)
Electra (P-3, US Navy)
Some kinda Time Machine out there.
May 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Vegetation Fire in Perris, 1-2 acres, potential for 10 acres, moderate rate of spread, named #RichardFire.
Air Attack 310, Tankers 72 and 73, and Copter 609 inbound and arriving above.
Air Attack 310, Tankers 72 and 73, and Copter 609 inbound and arriving above.
May 12, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Vegetation Fire in Perris, 1-2 acres, potential for 10 acres, moderate rate of spread, named #RichardFire.
Air Attack 310, Tankers 72 and 73, and Copter 609 inbound and arriving above.
Air Attack 310, Tankers 72 and 73, and Copter 609 inbound and arriving above.
Who am I?
I’ve spent 20+ years in aviation: dispatch, ops, safety, news media, writing, public speaking, gov affairs, and advocacy. I connect people, amplify voices, and bridge the gap between flight, the public, and the boardroom. I serve this industry with heart, hustle, and New Yorker honesty.
I’ve spent 20+ years in aviation: dispatch, ops, safety, news media, writing, public speaking, gov affairs, and advocacy. I connect people, amplify voices, and bridge the gap between flight, the public, and the boardroom. I serve this industry with heart, hustle, and New Yorker honesty.
April 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Who am I?
I’ve spent 20+ years in aviation: dispatch, ops, safety, news media, writing, public speaking, gov affairs, and advocacy. I connect people, amplify voices, and bridge the gap between flight, the public, and the boardroom. I serve this industry with heart, hustle, and New Yorker honesty.
I’ve spent 20+ years in aviation: dispatch, ops, safety, news media, writing, public speaking, gov affairs, and advocacy. I connect people, amplify voices, and bridge the gap between flight, the public, and the boardroom. I serve this industry with heart, hustle, and New Yorker honesty.
Though it's largely uneventful (no pun), I have a strange enjoyment of watching Amazon cargo aircraft waiting to depart while the #SoCalAirShow is actively underway at March Air Base.
Here we see a KC-46 (BACKY94) in its demonstration with some F-35s, while an Amazon/Atlas 737 waits.
Here we see a KC-46 (BACKY94) in its demonstration with some F-35s, while an Amazon/Atlas 737 waits.
April 12, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Though it's largely uneventful (no pun), I have a strange enjoyment of watching Amazon cargo aircraft waiting to depart while the #SoCalAirShow is actively underway at March Air Base.
Here we see a KC-46 (BACKY94) in its demonstration with some F-35s, while an Amazon/Atlas 737 waits.
Here we see a KC-46 (BACKY94) in its demonstration with some F-35s, while an Amazon/Atlas 737 waits.
I am honored to have been invited by the 452nd AMW to fly aboard a KC-135 at March Air Reserve Base to witness the refueling of four F-15s and two F-35s.
One of my most amazing aviation experiences ever.
I hope to see you all at the #SoCalAirShow this weekend!
One of my most amazing aviation experiences ever.
I hope to see you all at the #SoCalAirShow this weekend!
April 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I am honored to have been invited by the 452nd AMW to fly aboard a KC-135 at March Air Reserve Base to witness the refueling of four F-15s and two F-35s.
One of my most amazing aviation experiences ever.
I hope to see you all at the #SoCalAirShow this weekend!
One of my most amazing aviation experiences ever.
I hope to see you all at the #SoCalAirShow this weekend!
My last time at WTC before 9/11 was 3 weeks beforehand. I was in Borders Books at WTC Building 5, where I bought a copy of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six. A book about terrorism, the first chapter is about an aircraft hijacking.
April 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
My last time at WTC before 9/11 was 3 weeks beforehand. I was in Borders Books at WTC Building 5, where I bought a copy of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six. A book about terrorism, the first chapter is about an aircraft hijacking.
I really enjoy how my toolbox sticker collection is shaping up.
April 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I really enjoy how my toolbox sticker collection is shaping up.
Lost a luggage wheel as it came down the baggage claim slide. Gonna drag 44lbs around for the rest of my trip.
April 2, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Lost a luggage wheel as it came down the baggage claim slide. Gonna drag 44lbs around for the rest of my trip.
Honored to speak at the Nevada Aviation Association’s annual conference in Reno! The Industry Update session is always a great discussion with smart, fun, and talented panelists. Grateful for the strong relationships we have with fellow associations advocating for every corner of aviation.
April 2, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Honored to speak at the Nevada Aviation Association’s annual conference in Reno! The Industry Update session is always a great discussion with smart, fun, and talented panelists. Grateful for the strong relationships we have with fellow associations advocating for every corner of aviation.
The annual conference of the Nevada Aviation Association is underway in Reno!
April 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The annual conference of the Nevada Aviation Association is underway in Reno!
An hour later, at 5:20am, we see a lot more activity, almost all arrivals, all before the big 6am departure push from passenger airlines.
March 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM
An hour later, at 5:20am, we see a lot more activity, almost all arrivals, all before the big 6am departure push from passenger airlines.
The only aircraft above SoCal is a Volaris flight passing through. Eerie (but normal) to see LA and San Diego empty at 4:21am.
But zoom out just a little bit and you see the cargo flights on their way to start their rush. LAX, ONT, SBD, about to get busy.
But zoom out just a little bit and you see the cargo flights on their way to start their rush. LAX, ONT, SBD, about to get busy.
March 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The only aircraft above SoCal is a Volaris flight passing through. Eerie (but normal) to see LA and San Diego empty at 4:21am.
But zoom out just a little bit and you see the cargo flights on their way to start their rush. LAX, ONT, SBD, about to get busy.
But zoom out just a little bit and you see the cargo flights on their way to start their rush. LAX, ONT, SBD, about to get busy.
The only time I’ll support the Islanders is when I am toasting to my late friend Matt Molnar.
Been thinking about him a lot this week. A dozen years later, I still think about what life would be like if he was still around. #missumatt
Been thinking about him a lot this week. A dozen years later, I still think about what life would be like if he was still around. #missumatt
March 15, 2025 at 1:50 AM
The only time I’ll support the Islanders is when I am toasting to my late friend Matt Molnar.
Been thinking about him a lot this week. A dozen years later, I still think about what life would be like if he was still around. #missumatt
Been thinking about him a lot this week. A dozen years later, I still think about what life would be like if he was still around. #missumatt
Stumbled across one of the best emails I've ever received. Yes, he is serious.
#Chemtrail emails were not uncommon, btw. Also worth pointing out I didn't work for the government in any way. 🤷♂️
#Chemtrail emails were not uncommon, btw. Also worth pointing out I didn't work for the government in any way. 🤷♂️
March 4, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Stumbled across one of the best emails I've ever received. Yes, he is serious.
#Chemtrail emails were not uncommon, btw. Also worth pointing out I didn't work for the government in any way. 🤷♂️
#Chemtrail emails were not uncommon, btw. Also worth pointing out I didn't work for the government in any way. 🤷♂️
ADS-B icon kept switching from fixed wing to helo, while appearing still, with speed changing from 1kt to 177kts, on an off flight track that originates in Norfolk, VA.
All at 59,000ft up.
Then disappeared.
I'm assuming that this is just bum data.
All at 59,000ft up.
Then disappeared.
I'm assuming that this is just bum data.
February 23, 2025 at 3:37 AM
ADS-B icon kept switching from fixed wing to helo, while appearing still, with speed changing from 1kt to 177kts, on an off flight track that originates in Norfolk, VA.
All at 59,000ft up.
Then disappeared.
I'm assuming that this is just bum data.
All at 59,000ft up.
Then disappeared.
I'm assuming that this is just bum data.
Jealous! I only have one of their Saab’s.
February 21, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Jealous! I only have one of their Saab’s.
February 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM