A View Through Maintenance Gate 8

Accessing a clear view of a runway at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is limited. But there is just enough room to place a telephoto zoom lens through the opening to capture arriving and departing planes. 

Last weekend was the start of local Spring Break. With the widespread corvid-19 making its rounds, the idea of social distancing is in full force. In this case it means many midwesterners have a chance to get away for a week against the risk of quarantine or a delayed return.

Florida Bound From Sunny Iowa

While waiting for the warbirds to takeoff and land at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa airport commercial traffic kept up its busy Sunday schedule. Allegiant Air flies to vacation spots from cities like Cedar Rapids. This time the flight destination was the Sarasota, Florida area.

Taking Off with Allegiant Air at KCID

Mid-evening is a busy time for the Eastern Iowa Airport (KCID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A few nights ago the airport was the scene of activity with commercial, government and private aircraft. An Allegiant Airlines jet makes its way eastbound on the taxi runway for a westbound takeoff. Close behind is an arriving United Airlines Express jet taxiing to the terminal.

As the Allegiant aircraft makes two quick right turns near the end of the runway, sunshine floods the plane's silhouette, showing Allegiant's colorful branding scheme.

It's nose up and wheels locked as another Allegiant flight goes direct to a sunny destination with no hub transfer.

Flying to Fun Places

Allegiant Air flies from here (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) to fun domestic destinations like Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa, etc. On Sunday this jet, on final approach, flew directly overhead where I was positioned some 17 miles from the airport. Local travelers on that plane know (or should know) that here in mid-America we have fun things to see and do. Perhaps they tire of Midwest fun and long to see other sites. Its a theory.