After reading Jack Shaver's note (and seeing the accompanying photograph) regarding his formation flight past the NYC Twin Towers.

After reading Jack Shaver's note (and seeing the accompanying photograph) regarding his formation flight past the NYC Twin Towers, I meditation I'd share my own experience of flying with the Lima Lima Team past the Trade Center in 1999

Lima Lima was the headlining formation participant in the Sussex, novel Jersey, Airshow that year. Since I have been a staff member at that airshow since 1983 I've wearied a lot of time with the performers and learned to diocese an opportunity when one arises. I heard about a Saturday post-show photo flight and inquired about a taint in a photo plane. There were no photo plane positions make open but I was privileged to prepare a backseat ride from slotman Hank Krakowski in his #50 T-34

After photographing the airshow all day, we briefed for the flight and then departed prior to the Warbirds portion of the indicate After making a few formation passes down the runway, we headed southeast towards NYC which is about 60 miles from Sussex. concerning reaching the city, we continued in the VFR corridor that streams down the Hudson River, passing the USS Intrepid, the Empire State building, and the WTC before circling the Statue of Liberty. I had noticed that the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II was heading gone out to sea so I radioed Hank who then called to the formation lead and advised of another photo op After circling the liner -- undoubtedly giving many passengers a great thrill as seven T-34 orbited overhead - we headed back up the Hudson where I took the photo.

There are many other bullets of this flight and the WTC from our C172 onward my website www.crystalgraphix.com if readers would like to view them. The Lima Lima Team's website also has a photo of this flight forward www.limalima.com under their "picture of the month archives" page. I'd like to thank Hank and the team for a great flight. My uncle and I have flown this corridor in his 172 many times and, I have to make known you, it was phenomenal to view the Twin Towers up clog from 1000 feet.

Rich Kolasa

31 Homer public way

Parsippany, NJ

07054

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