Aircraft in Action

Dynamic images of various aircraft, including aerobatic maneuvers, gliders racing, and innovative designs, set against expansive sky and landscape backdrops.

Giorgio Galetto (Italy), racing in NZ Gliding Grand Prix, near Omarama, South Island, New Zealand

E-2C Hawkeye aircraft flying above the sea

Helicopter rigged for aerial irrigation

NASA's Beechcraft King Air N7NA mission support aircraft soars over the compass rose on Rogers Dry Lake adjacent to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center.

AVION DE TRANSPORTE A HELICES ATERRIZANDO CASA C-212 AVIOCAR - FOTO AÑOS 60. Location: CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS-CASA. GETAFE. MADRID. SPANIEN.

Edwards, Calif. - ED13-0266-070- Sierra Nevada Corporation, or SNC, team members check the company's Dream Chaser flight vehicle systems following a 60 mph tow test on taxi and runways at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Ground testing at 10, 20, 40 and 60 miles per hour is helping the company validate the performance of the spacecraft's braking and landing systems prior to captive-carry and free-flight tests scheduled for later this year.SNC is continuing the development of its Dream Chaser spacecraft under the agency's Commercial Crew Development Round 2, or CCDev2, and Commercial Crew Integrated Capability, or CCiCap, phases, which are intended to lead to the availability of commercial human spaceflight services for government and commercial customers.

V-22 Osprey Rotates Its Wing After Folding Its Rotor Blades

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NASA's two Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft form the backdrop as pilot Dick Ewers banks NASA F/A-18 #845 low over Rogers Dry Lake to end a research flight.

Fixed Wing Aviat Airplanes De Havilland Twin Otter DHC-6 charter skydiving white overhead front 3/4

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A takes off for a routine training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 17, 2022. Members of the RAAF have been stationed at Nellis AFB for the past few months to participate is training exercises.

american military plane over the desert american military plane over the desert Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 17880324

aircraft spraying migratory locust swarm locusta migratoria capito madagascar, may 1997

Smoke generators show the twisting paths of wingtip vortices behind two NASA Dryden F/A-18's used in the Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) program during flight #743.

Aircraft at an air show in Durango, Colorado

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35As taxis out for a routine training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 17, 2022. Members of the RAAF have been stationed at Nellis AFB for the past few months to participate is training exercises.

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, aerial view from propeller-driver airliner

A U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus flies above a California mountain range, as part of Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. The operation was a celebration of a century of aerial refueling capabilities involving 152 total aircraft, including 82 tankers and 70 receivers, traversing sites across the United States.

Dryden Flight Research Center - aircraft fleet on ramp

SIERRA (Systems Integration Evaluation Remote Research Aircraft) Uninhabited Aerial System (UAV plane) on the Ames flightline (aka; Sierra Unpiloted Aerial system (UAS))

Underside View of AH-1W Super Cobra

Mike Goulian, piloting his SR-22, races the Hot Streak, a jet engine power Semi Truck, during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. Goulian has been competing in aerobatic contests for over 30 years and is a recognized expert in aviation. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win,” reflects the Marine Corps’ ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

Maj. Sean Gustafson, Thunderbird 4, slot, pitch to land at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. after flying a practice low show at Creech AFB, Oct. 4, 2010.

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - An F-18 aircraft departs from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The plane will serve as the "chase plane" accompanying the Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft as it transports the Pegasus XL rocket carrying NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, solar observatory over the Pacific Ocean. Release of the rocket from under the wing of the L-1011 is scheduled for 10:27 p.m. EDT.IRIS will open a new window of discovery using spectrometry and imaging to trace the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the suns corona. The spacecraft will observe how solar material moves, gathers energy and heats up as it travels through a largely unexplored region of the solar atmosphere. This interface region, located between the sun's visible surface and its upper atmosphere, is where most of its ultraviolet emission is generated. These emissions impact the near-Earth space environment and Earth's climate. NAS

Since the U-2 is so wild and woolly to land, a second pilot, called a "mobile," chases the plane down the runway, calling out the distance between the plane and the ground. AIRMAN Magazine article describes the U-2 as still being a major player in the nation's reconnaissance mission despite its 1950s' design and first flight in 1955. Capable of then flying over 70,000 feet, and now even higher thanks to a new F-118-101 engine and upgraded avionics the aircraft was awarded the Collier Trophy in 1998 by the National Aeronautic Association and named the U-2S. The U-2S now has digital capabilty and can transmit data instantaneously to analysts at Beale AFB by using a network of ground .... Complete Scene Caption: Since the U-2 is so wild and woolly to land, a second pilot, called a "mobile," chases the plane down the runway, calling out the distance between the plane and the ground. Airman Magazine article describes the U-2 as still being a major player in the nation's reconnaissance mis

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II takes off Sept. 9, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The aircraft, assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron, departed for Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, to participate in Operation Mountain Weasel for their F-35A B-course capstone.

One of NASA's two Global Hawk unmanned aircraft shows off its new blue-and-white livery shortly after being repainted in the Edwards Air Force Base paint hangar.

White passenger plane flying in the blue sky above the mountains with snow tops

Two C-2A Greyhound aircraft of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 (VRC-30) are serviced on the flight line during PACEX '89. Subject Operation/Series: PACEX '89 Base: Coast Guard Station, Kodiak State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Wings of an aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) frame a mountain in the Aleutian Island chain during PACEX '89. Subject Operation/Series: PACEX '89 Country: Aleutian Islands

Left side view of a North American F-51D Mustang 'Little Beast II' (s/n 44-84602; c/n 44458) taxiing, somewhere in Korea. The aircraft bears the markings of the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron (FBS), and is armed with two bombs. A man appears in the left foreground of the image, and a truck is visible in the background.

La Gomera, Spain, August 12, 2021: Air Tractor AT-802 propeller airplane on the runway, Europe

Two Attack Squadron 94 (VA-94) A-7E Corsair aircraft taxi off a runway. Base: Naval Air Station, Cubi Point State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

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The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket left the runway, carried aloft by NASA's B-52B launch aircraft from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on March 27, 2004. About an hour later the Pegasus booster was launched from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 7.

XV-15 Tiltrotor Aircraft in 40x80ft w.t. - helicopter (take-off) mode

Fighter Jet Swiss Air Force, FA 18 C Hornet J-5021 Meiringen, Switzerland, Europe

The solar-electric Helios Prototype flying wing is shown moments after takeoff, beginning its first test flight on solar power from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii, July 14, 2001. The 18-hour flight was a functional checkout of the aircraft's systems and performance in preparation for an attempt to reach sustained flight at 100,000 feet altitude later this summer.

Altus I aircraft landing on Edwards lakebed runway 23

An F-15C assigned to the 57th Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, takes off for the final time, June 21, 2022. The 433rd Weapons Squadron no longer flies the F-15C but continues to fly the F-22 Raptor.

President Barack Obama departs Marine One after landing at Andrews Air Force Base for a trip to Warren, Michigan and St. Louis, Mo. on July 14, 2009

An F-15C assigned to the 57th Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, taxis prior to its final flight, June 21, 2022. On December 8, 2021, the F-15C made its final operational flight at Nellis after flying over 88,000 training and test missions since 1977.

In this 1965 NASA Flight Research Center photograph the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) is shown at near maximum altitude over the south base at Edwards Air Force Base.

One-half left rear view of a North American F-51D Mustang taxiing, somewhere in Korea. In the background, some support equipment is visible.

ILA Berlin Air Show 2024. BERLIN - JUNE 05, 2024: The concept of an unmanned aerial vehicle European MALE RPAS. Joint development of Airbus, Dassault and Leonardo. ILA Berlin Air Show 2024. Copyright: xZoonar.com/SergeyxKohlx 21806648

V.l.n.r. A Westland Lynx Mk.25 (UH-14A) Air Sea Rescue (ASR) Helicopter (1976-), an Agusta-Bell 204 (i) UH-1 ASR helicopter (1962-1978) and a Westland Wasp Mk.1 Series 2 & 2A (AH-12A) Submarine Culture Helicopter (1966-1981) of the MLD.

Vintage Photograph. Vintage biplane soaring over scenic farmlands.

Flying drone with a camera, OktoKopter, Styria, Austria, Europe, PublicGround, Europe

Woman with long artificial hands lying legs apart on crosswalk

Flight taxi at the Mercedes Museum, first flight of a Velocopter over a major European city, autonomous aircraft without passenger and without pilot, Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Austria, Salzburg, glider in front of mountain face in the Alps

The Navmar Applied Sciences Corporations TigerShark prepares for its final takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems integration in the National Airspace Systems, Flight Test Series Six (FT6) project. FT6 flight tests took place at NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center in California and focused on low size weight and power sensors for Detect and Avoid (DAA) operations in controlled airspace to inform the FAA through the RTCA Special Committee DAA Working Group on the phase 2 minimum operational performance standards for DAA and air-to-air radar.

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's two T-38A Talon mission support aircraft flew together for the first time on Sept. 26, 2007 while conducting pitot-static airspeed calibration checks during routine pilot proficiency flights. The two aircraft, flown by NASA research pilots Kelly Latimer and Frank Batteas, joined up with a NASA Dryden F/A-18 flown by NASA research pilot Dick Ewers to fly the airspeed calibrations at several speeds and altitudes that would be flown by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Boeing 747SP during its initial flight test phase. The T-38s, along with F/A-18s, serve in a safety chase role during those test missions, providing critical instrument and visual monitoring for the flight test series.

AN air-to-air right side of two A-7D Corsair II aircraft from the Arizona National Guard. The aircraft, in different camouflage paint schemes, are being tested against forest and desert backgrounds for visibility. State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

BOAC British Overseas Airways Corporation, De Havilland 106 Comet 4 jetliner plane, G-APDC, at Kai Tai airport, Hong Kong, Asia early 1960s.

quadcopter drone flying over mountain valley and reservoir

Eurodrone European MALE RPAS, 22. 06. 2005. ILA International Aerospace Exhibition Berlin, Schoenefeld, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 31, 2022. The Thunderbirds have the honor of representing nearly 700,000 active duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian Airmen across America and deployed around the world.

111006-N-BA418-056SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 6, 2011) Fat Albert, the C-130 Hercules assigned to the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, flies over San Francisco in preparation for an air show scheduled during San Francisco Fleet Week 2011. San Francisco Fleet Week is a five-day event that highlights the equipment, technology and operational capabilities of the military's sea services and their history in the San Francisco area.

quadcopter drone flying over lake with a canoe - Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins, Colorado

England, London, Newham. Plane taking off from London City Airport in Newham.

Blown Gas Streamliner Class F/BFS at speed trying to break 291.673 mph record on Bonneville Salt Flats during Bonneville Speed Week 2017; Wendover, Ut...

A sign that reads Speed enforced by aircraft”

Black tourist telescope. Sea view and sky

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAV) Quadcopter Drone Delivering Box With Red Ribbon To Home

DF-ST-89-01721. Country: West Germany (FRG)

Left side view of an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter of Light Helicopter Squadron 42 (HSL-42) in flight over the city's waterfront. Base: Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aircraft and Helicopters Poster with Text. Fire fighting poster with red inscription. Vector illustration depicting aircraft and helicopters trying to extinguish raging fires

Beautiful view to green rainforest mountain and helicopter flying

An air-to-air right side view of a 438th Airlift Wing, C-141 Starlifter flying over the Philadelphia Museum of Art and downtown Philadelphia. The C-141, tail #40616 provides long range airlift capability for Air Mobility Command. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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