Just an observation: I love airplanes

I love watching airplanes. I really do.

That might be strange since I was lounging on the University of Arizona mall during my student days in 1978 when an Air Force A-7D Corsair II, a jet fighter, crashed just south of the campus.

The jet flew right over my head, at an altitude later announced at 200 feet. When I heard a loud pop, I watched in horror as the pilot ejected and the plane veered to right, crashing along North Highland Avenue in Tucson. The pilot, who only suffered an ankle injury, was aiming for the campus football practice field after his engines quit, but the plane took a sharp turn after he ejected.

The jet erupted into flames when it hit the street, and two people were killed and another six were injured.

My immediate reaction was to jump to my feet, and to start running the opposite direction of where the plane crashed, but then my very raw journalistic instincts kicked in, and I ran back to my dorm, grabbed a camera, and headed to the crash site. I snapped photos and interviewed anyone I could with the hope that a newspaper would pick up the story or the photos.

I will admit that I have paid particular attention to the sound of every plane that flies over my head ever since, often wondering if the change in pitch in the engine signals trouble. When the Air Force did a triple bomber flyover of Raymond James Stadium before the 2021 Super Bowl, I was sure this massive plane was headed right into my Lakewood Ranch lanai.

I am not sure if it was the B-1B, the B-2 Spirit or the B-52 Stratofortress, but one of them followed a very low route into Tampa, and the grinding sound made me come out of my house to see what I thought at the time was a plane going down. Of course, it was just a very big plane flying low.

While those sounds make me pause, I still enjoy watching these monstrous vehicles soaring through the air. I would compare it to the wonder I have at watching these huge ships that weigh more than 180,000 tons floating on the sea. How do they not sink?

How does a B-52 Stratofortress, with a total takeoff weight of 488,000 pounds when filled, stay in the air. To me, it is a wonder of the world.

It is so much so that I have been to St. Martin four times to watch planes land and take-off right over Maho Beach next to the Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten. I certainly don't go with the hope of seeing anything bad happen, although I admit I used to enjoy watching these goofballs who cozied up to the airport fence get knocked over by the airplanes' blowback. Hats, cameras, wallets, and people would go soaring toward the water.

However, tragedy does strike. A tourist died in 2017 after being hit by a jet air blast.

With all that in my background, you would think I wouldn't be excited about the possibility of watching planes land and take off at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport from the Aircraft Observation Area. But there I was, shortly after the observation area's ribbon cutting on March 12, watching airplanes.

This isn't anything like some fans' desire to see a NASCAR pile-up, but again, it's just a wonder of how these things work.

I'm not sure this qualifies as a Jeff Foxworthy, "You might be a redneck," moment, but I expect there will be a few date nights down the road at this observation area, drinking an adult beverage and staring at the runway. I will say that I didn't see restrooms at the site, which will cut visitation times. While I would say that doesn't make sense to me, I guess the thought process was that was a good omission since parking spots are limited.

For those who want to visit the spot, where people used to line the fence anyway to watch the planes, the address is 8330 15th St. E., Sarasota. An airport release said airplane enthusiasts have gathered for years at that spot to catch takes-offs and landings. Discussions began with Manatee County in 2016 to enhance that area. The airport and Manatee County eventually agreed to split the $2.36 million cost of an observation area.

It is an example of the fine line our commissioners walk when it comes to providing amenities to the residents. On one hand, I love the space and I am sure to use it. But it's an example of how little $2.36 million buys these days.

The space includes a small parking area, an artsy shade structure that resembles an aircraft wing, an airport-themed playground, some lighting, information plaques, a historical rotating beacon, and speakers broadcasting audio from the FAA air traffic control tower. But for $2.36 million, we could have built a really nice house on that spot with huge picture windows. And the house would have had bathrooms.