Northrop T-38 Talon (66-0332)

I'd missed the first of his T & G runs and I thought he had departed the area but then I heard him cleared for a second pass. Turned out, he gave me plenty of opportunities for pics when he made a third and fourth run so I even had time to position right out next to Taxiway Charlie for the final two passes.

Aren't scanners wonderful!

You bet they are, Gavin. And not just for getting info about aircraft, runways in use, etc. Couple months ago, I arrived at RNO very, very early (O-dark-dawn) and turned on my scanner. Caught an ATIS message warning of a drone sighting. Went to the tower freq and heard the warning go out to an inbound UPS freighter. The warning ended by saying it had last been seen over the "B" Concourse (Southwest's gates) but heading away to the southeast. And that's when I really perked up -- because I had just pulled in to the Atlantic Aviation parking lot, located southeast of Concourse B, and my headlights had shined on a small group of men (NOT Atlantic employees - they were killing time while waiting for their charter to depart) in the darkness next to a hangar, all gathered closely together looking at something. The events after that are too lengthy to explain here, so all I'll add now is that there was indeed a drone which apparently ran out of power and went down on or next to a runway. I learned that much when I reported what I saw to the FAA and I was then contacted by a different federal agency. I've already been interviewed once (as a witness, NOT a suspect - lol) and I was told that when the agency is ready, I'll be coming in to "look." Fortunately, I always have a camera hanging from my neck when I go to RNO and as you well know, Gavin, I am able to take pictures of aircraft in the darkness -- and I've taken photos of other interesting activities going on in the darkness, too. Ah, yes. Fingerprints, photos, and a drone on the runway. Glad I had a scanner. Scanners ARE wonderful.

Yeah, that's one thing security here doesn't get...photographers are more sets of eyes. I know guys here who've been badly hassled by security OUTSIDE the fences. I was questioned once years ago but it was all good. Maybe it's attitude by all parties.

That is a cool shot and perspective!

Great story Gman - when I lived in Gilroy, my neighbor was SFO bay area FBI agent and swat team member. He was 15 years younger than me. We discussed UFOs regularly and he even told me he has been to Area 51...and he let me sit in his FBI "van" with all the recording items inside you'd never think of, plus Observatory grade camera/scope gear i wont divulge all. He gave me his FBI Card and said if anybody security or cops wise harasses me again ( Ive had a few at SJC/SFO over the years) he said "show them the card and have them call my number...I'll fix their wagon" I was never asked or harrased for years after that. Drones> I'd love to have one for Railroad films I do, but never use one near an airport..those suckers will cause big time issues...Love the red light on the Beale jet - good stories!

Oh? you DO have a scanner. LOL!