EXOTIC WINGS #43This is an awesome EW programme out to one of the best regions in the planet for aviation photography. We are very excited to be hitting two airshows and an exercise, as well as the stunning Rainbow Canyon. We’ve again teamed up with 3G Aviation Media to bring a superb blend of photographic hospitality at a major US airshow, as well as air-to-air photography with show participants.

COAP • +44 (0)7768 816029 • contact@centreofaviationphotography.com

6-19TH MARCH 2019 ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA & NEVADA

MCAS Yuma, Rainbow Canyon, Air-to-Air, NAF El Centro & ‘Red Flag’

This is an awesome EW programme out to one of the best regions in the planet for aviation photography, as we

travel western USA taking in Arizona, California & Nevada has to offer.

We are very excited to be hitting US Marine Corps action at MCAS Yuma airshow as well as the US Navy at NAF El Centro show, massive exercise action at Nellis AFB during ‘Red Flag 19-2 and travelling to the famed Rainbow Canyon.

What’s more, we’ve again teamed up with 3G Aviation Media to bring a superb blend of photographic hospitality at a major US airshow (El Centro), as well as air-to-air photography with show participants, plus a dedicated photo chalet during the event as well as night shoot and Workshop!

The COAP USA West Photo Fest 2019 is going to be a blast!

Exotic Wings #43: USA West Photo Fest 2019

EW1: Attend the MCAS Yuma airshow (both night and day) for USMC action including the adversary F-5 Tiger IIs.

EW2: Attend the NAF El Centro Airshow in a brilliant set-up for photography, with dedicated chalet in a great location inc food/drink and night shoot.

EW3: Visit Exercise ‘Red Flag’ and the beautiful Rainbow Canyon.

EW4: Undertake air-to-air with airshow participants in a professional set-up.

Exotic Wings #43 Goals

Rich Cooper, COAP

The PROVISIONAL Programme & Itinerary...

This itinerary includes visits to fully operational military bases (albeit during a public event) and every aspect is subject to security, operational, technical or weather issues. As such, COAP and Travel Counsellors are not responsible for cancellation at any stage or non-flying activity. Safety and Insurance is your own responsibility and risk. We are not guests of the military, and all National Park rules must be adhered. This EW will involve very long drives and early starts and meals may often be taken on the road (especially lunch & breakfast). We will be using the public access areas during the events. The air-to-air has its own section of caveats and details to read before booking.

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY 6th MARCH(Full Itinerary photographers) Meet COAP at 11:30hrs in London Heathrow at the Air Canada check-in area in Terminal 2 ahead of the flight to Las Vegas.

London Heathrow T2, Air Canada AC855, departs 14:30hrsArrives Vancouver 16:05hrsTransfer to Air Canada AC1898, departs 19:20hrsArrives Las Vegas 22:00hrs

(Land Only photographers) Meet COAP at the Arrivals Hall in Las Vegas T3 around 22:30-23:00hrs (immigration & customs dependant).

On arrival we collect our luggage from Baggage Reclaim and meet those arriving from other destinations in the Arrivals Hall around 22:30-23:00hrs before collecting our transport.

We then head into Las Vegas itself the Excalibur Resort Tower and enjoy two nights in this mouth-opening city ahead of the feast of aviation.

DAY 2: THURSDAY 7th MARCHOne of the greatest road trips! Out into the Nevada desert, and along the famed Alien Highway, before returning for a second night in Las Vegas.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Questions about the Operations of the Assignment? Call Rich direct on +44 (0)7768 816029 rich@centreofaviationphotography.com

Questions about the booking & travel of the Assignment? Call Alec Walker (TC) on +44 (0)1962 657640

NOTES• Operational caveats apply (see above). You must be physically fit to attend in elements of this Assignment.• You must bring your passport with you on all days.• All aerial equipment supplied.

DAY 3: FRIDAY 8th MARCHROADTRIP & MCAS YUMA! Today we embark on another super cool road trip across the desert! We travel from Vegas in Nevada south to Yuma in Arizona taking in the sights along the way.

At 17:00hrs we enter MCAS Yuma for the Us Marine Corps Twilight show. Expect some interesting acts, challenging photography and pyrotechnics galore! Sunset is at 18:41 and the gates close at 21:00, after which we head to our hotel in Yuma town.

DAY 4: SATURDAY 9th MARCHMCAS YUMA: The 2019 MCAS Yuma Airshow, where you can expect a slick operation from the US Marine Corps frontline assets and regular US display team action. We hope for the usual showing of the TAC-DEMO and the show participation of the adversary F-5 Tiger IIs. Once the gates close at 16:00hrs we head north towards our overnight stop at Victorville, halfway between Yuma and Rainbow Canyon.

DAY 5: SUNDAY 10th MARCHDEATH VALLEY ROAD TRIP: Driving through the desert terrain towards Lone Pine for two nights, in the heart of the wild west! Expect some great landscape photography opportunities.

DAY 6: MONDAY 11th MARCHRAINBOW CANYON: Today will be spent at Rainbow Canyon in the Death Valley National Park (with all National Park rules adhered to), where we will be trying our luck with this beautiful part of the California low-flying training system. After the shadows overtake the valley floors, we head back to Lone Pine for the night.

DAY 7: TUESDAY 12th MARCHRAINBOW CANYON: A second day at Rainbow Canyon, before heading south and staying overnight in the desert oasis of Palm Springs.

The PROVISIONAL Programme & Itinerary...

DAY 8: WEDNESDAY 13th MARCHPALM SPRINGS WARBIRDS & ROADTRIP: A morning spent at the excellent Palm Springs Air Museum, before heading east to Marana, Arizona and hook up with our 3G Media friends.

DAY 9: THURSDAY 14th MARCHAIR-TO-AIR: Air-to-air photo flights (covered separately) in Arizona. We then head west to El Centro for the next three nights ahead of the NAFEC Airshow.

DAY 10: FRIDAY 15th MARCHNAF EL CENTRO: We have two days of full-on action ahead, from sunrise, through sunset and into the darkness. You will not have attended a show like this before… You will have your own dedicated VIP media chalet and full photography Workshop for sunset and night photography with exclusive access. See later for more information. We start with an easy morning at the fence of NAF El Centro for arrivals and rehearsals. In the afternoon we gather for our special entry into the base ahead of the Workshop & Night Shoot (covered separately).

The PROVISIONAL Programme & Itinerary...

Programme operated on behalf of the Centre of Aviation Photography byTravel Counsellors Ltd, Venus, No.1 Old Park Lane, Trafford City, Manchester, M41 7HA

Registered in England Number 2133414 - VAT Registration Number 200 4063 79Telephone: +44 (0)1962 657640   

e-mail: alec.walker@travelcounsellors.com www.tctravelmanagement.co.uk/alec.walker

Illustrative purposes only

DAY 11: SATURDAY 16th MARCHNAF EL CENTRO: Today is the NAF El Centro Airshow, with our own chalet thanks to our 3G partners. It really is the best way to do an airshow! (Also covered separately).

DAY 12: SUNDAY 17th MARCHBACK-UP/ROADTRIP: This serves as a back-up day for the air-to-air missions in case of any issues on Thursday 14th. If all clear, we head north to Las Vegas and stay two nights in the city ahead of shooting ‘Red Flag’ action outside Nellis AFB.

DAY 13: MONDAY 18th MARCHNELLIS AFB: A day outside Nellis AFB, home of the fighter pilot, as the busy Exercise ‘Red Flag 19-2’ launches and recovers in the Nevada skies above. There’s some great participants in this edition of this huge exercise.

DAY 14: TUESDAY 19th MARCHNELLIS AFB: A second day outside Nellis, ahead of our return flight out of Las Vegas this evening, for which we check in with Air Canada at 19:00hrs.

Las Vegas T3, Air Canada AC1854, departs 23:50hrs

DAY 15: WEDNESDAY 20th MARCHArrives Toronto 07:05hrs.Transfer to Air Canada AC868, departing 09:30hrsArrives London Heathrow, Terminal 2, 20:20hrs

The PROVISIONAL Programme & Itinerary...

YOUR HOTEL INFO

EXCALIBUR TOWER3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas 89109+1 702 597 7777

MICROTEL INN & SUITES11274 S Fortuna Rd, Yuma 85367+1 928 345 1777

HAWTHORN SUITES11750 Dunta Road, Victorville 92392+1 760 488 6098

COMFORT INN1920 S Main St, Lone Pine 93545+1 760 876 8700

INFUSION BEACH CLUB1900 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs 92262+1 760 799 9969

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES8373 N Cracker Barrel Rd, Tucson 85743+1 520 572 4777

DAY INN BY WYNDHAM611 N Imperial Ave, El Centro 92243+1 760 352 0715

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS NELLIS4035 N Nellis Blvd, Las Vegas 89115+1 702 644 5700

THE AIR-TO-AIR PHOTO FLIGHTS

A note from 3G Aviation Media….

Photographers, We’re excited by this air-to-air photo session out of Arizona ahead of the NAF El Centro Airshow and delighted to be partnering COAP in it. As usual, there are a lot of moving parts and nothing is concrete in the world of aerial photography engagements. There are countless factors of serviceability and paperwork and availability, but (hopefully) the weather should not be too much of a factor in Arizona! There are always moving parts that can shift, but here are the coordinating details we know:

There are 2-3 flights being planned and these will take place on Thursday 14th March.Timings – A long day with flights during daylight and sunset hours. Exact timings TBC.Flight location – Out of Marana, ArizonaExpected cost options – One ‘budget’ entry at around $1000, a sunset event and a possible jet event. Subjects:Yak-11 (tentatively confirmed)2x T-28s (tentatively confirmed)Lockheed Lodestar (tentatively confirmed)Jet Warbirds (work in progress)PB4Y Privateer (work in progress)P-51 Mustang (work in progress)

              All flight equipment and safety briefings will be provided and, as is always the case in this dynamic environment, nothing is guaranteed. Doug

Douglas GloverPhotographer, Fox-3 PhotographyInstructor, 3G Aviation Media

The PROVISIONAL Programme & Itinerary...

THE WORKSHOP & VIP PACKAGE AT NAF EL CENTRO AIRSHOWPossibly the coolest airshow package in the world!

Late Friday afternoon, attendees will assemble for an overview of the evening's photographic events. Doug Glover will kick off the classes with a quick overview of Flightline Safety, covering what you need to know to safely work on the NAFEC flightline during the photoshoot. Tony Granata will then cover some photography basics to ensure that all of the workshop attendees are able to maximize the capabilities of their cameras during the photoshoot. The last class of the afternoon will cover sunset photography techniques and planning so that you can be successful during the evening's photo shoot and on your own in the future.

Once the light becomes golden, attendees will be escorted to the part of the flightline where the evening's subjects are located. We will have to remain within the area defined by our military escorts, but all of the aircraft in that area are fair game for you to photograph. We will practice the sunset shooting techniques covered earlier and the 3G instructors will be on hand to assist you with any questions you have. With the open expanse of the runways behind some of the subjects and airshow pavilions behind others, you will be challenged in your composition, but remember, this is an airshow, use what others would think of as clutter to tell the story of the aircraft!

After the sun sets, the group will gather around the subjects for the twilight shoot where Tony will demonstrate light painting and Doug will use off-camera flash techniques. Attendees are encouraged to move around to maximise their learning during the evening.We will conclude our shooting approximately one hour after sunset and depart the flightline with our military escorts. Anyone wishing to meet up afterwards for a quick debrief of the photoshoot over dinner and drinks is welcome to do so, but it is by no means mandatory!

The next day, show day, will have all-day access to the 3G Aviation Media chalet at the NAF El Centro Airshow. Stop by, eat lunch, take advantage of the front-row shooting opportunities or cool off and rest your feet in the tent with a drink!

Friday Workshop topics will include:Working with LightSunset photo shoot planningAirshow Photography gear bag / Flight Line Safety

Package includes…Hands-on assistance and techniques during airshow.Sunset photography photo sessions and lessonsOne-on-one photography instruction, tailored to YOUR skill level.Access to vintage and modern military aircraft as photo subjects Exclusive front-row access near show centre.Catered lunch.Beverage service throughout airshow.Access at the 3G Aviation Media chalet.

This EW is now open for bookings. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

1) Please click this link: www.centreofaviationphotography.com/Downloads/COAP-Traveller-Form.pdf

2) Download the PDF form.3) Fill the form in and e-mail it to us.contact@centreofaviationphotography.com

You will be notified of your success or otherwise within 48hrs of application and asked to make the below payments accordingly.

NOTE NEW PAYMENT SYSTEM:1x Booking, Admin, Joining & In-Country EW Cost (COAP).1x Travel Cost (Travel Counsellors)

http://www.centreofaviationphotography.com/operations/exotic-wings/exotic-wings-43

EW43 COSTINGS

BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS

OR FULL LONGHAUL PROGRAMME: From £1407 per person

As above, and with scheduled return flights from London included as outlined in this itinerary.

LAND ONLY PROGRAMME From £960 per person

Land Only inc 15 days total travel, with eight hotels with in twin-share rooms with private facilities, transfers, transport hire and costs, ATOL, admin and logistics.

$249 per person

Optional Extras (payable under separate arrangement as required)

From £710 Single room supplementFrom $1000 per person

EW Cost (in-country EW costs, Booking, Admin, Joining, Logistics, Manager services)

EW Cost from £430 per person

El Centro Airshow Chalet/Workshop

Air-to-air costs

COSTS INCLUDE: The Travel Cost covers the following…• Transport hire and costs.• Accommodation in a twin-share room (single supplement available on request) for 15 days in eight hotels.• ATOL Protection Fee.

The EW Booking, Admin, Joining & In-Country costs (BAJIC) covers the following…• Logistics, admin and booking.• COAP Travel Manager costs.• In-country expenses (tolls, petrol, tickets, car parking).

The flights costing is based on..• Return flights from London to Las Vegas as outlined.Costs subject to change.

Plus…