57 Votes (4.80 Average) and 71,556 Views  

Boeing 737-800 (N916NN) - Yesterday was, without a doubt, the most wonderful day of spotting at RNO that I have had in a very looooong time.  One of many highlights was being able to "set up camp" on Lima taxiway between the "hold" lines for the parallel runways 16R-34L and 16L-34R.  This capture of N916NN, AALs Reno Air heritage livery fleetbird, as it was rotating away from 16R directly in front of me during its 6:30 AM departure for DFW, was one of several outstanding moments of a fabulous (and very long ... 5:45 AM to 7:00 PM) spotting day.br /Yesterdays visit by N916NN was just the second time that the Reno Air heritage livery has been seen here at RNO since it was unveiled back in November of last year.  The single previous visit was a later-evening arrival during a snowstorm, and it departed prior to dawn of the next morning so almost no one had a chance to see it on that occasion.  I did get a click of that first appearance (photo is posted in my FA gallery folder), but the shot certainly wasnt a very good one.  Yesterday, I did far better.  An up-close on-ramp tour came first as the flight was being prepped for departure, and then I was positioned between the parallels to catch a fantastic series as it came directly toward, past, and away from me while taking off.  And the day just kept getting better: the TWA heritage livery, making its second visit this month and only its third visit since taking to the skies, was the first AAL arrival here just a couple hours after this one departed.
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Boeing 737-800 (N916NN)

Submitted

Yesterday was, without a doubt, the most wonderful day of spotting at RNO that I have had in a very looooong time. One of many highlights was being able to "set up camp" on Lima taxiway between the "hold" lines for the parallel runways 16R-34L and 16L-34R. This capture of N916NN, AAL's Reno Air heritage livery fleetbird, as it was rotating away from 16R directly in front of me during its 6:30 AM departure for DFW, was one of several outstanding moments of a fabulous (and very long ... 5:45 AM to 7:00 PM) spotting day.
Yesterday's visit by N916NN was just the second time that the Reno Air heritage livery has been seen here at RNO since it was unveiled back in November of last year. The single previous visit was a later-evening arrival during a snowstorm, and it departed prior to dawn of the next morning so almost no one had a chance to see it on that occasion. I did get a click of that first appearance (photo is posted in my FA gallery folder), but the shot certainly wasn't a very good one. Yesterday, I did far better. An up-close on-ramp tour came first as the flight was being prepped for departure, and then I was positioned between the parallels to catch a fantastic series as it came directly toward, past, and away from me while taking off. And the day just kept getting better: the TWA heritage livery, making its second visit this month and only its third visit since taking to the skies, was the first AAL arrival here just a couple hours after this one departed.

Comments

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Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Had a chance to talk briefly with the F/O as he did a walk-around check. He was surprised to learn that this schemebird had only been here one time previously. He said he now better understood why so many folks seemed to be especially interested in coming by to view it.
Mark See
Wow Gary! This is a totally awesome shot. MAX number of stars.
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
For best Q, skip both the Medium and Large thumbnail options and view the FULL size pic with your screen at 100% setting.
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Hey, Mark, Hi. It was a tremendously long day (over 12 hours of photo-snapping) but man; it was WORTH it!! And as tired as I am, there is too much going on at RNO for me to stay home, so I'm heading back again in about 30 minutes. When the opportunities come along, it's either grab 'em or miss 'em. lol
PS ... I will definitely get that "Semper Fi" B-25 pic out to everyone; all I need is some "stay at home" time. (Big grin)
Mark See
Awesome, I look forward to seeing it... no rush as you probably need some relaxation time too with how much you've been out to the airport lately:)
Roy Hunte
Awesome Gary!
Dwight Hartje
Outstanding shot, timing, and capture, Gary!
Dwight Hartje
Gary, how did you get so close?
Dave Sheehy
WOW-nice capture Gary!
Lewis Wilson
Fantastic shot of the Reno Retro 737
I remember their MD 80s
Lewis Tripp
Super Gary, which I could have been there. At RDU, I can't get any closer than observation park, but it is very nice and super area for young'uns.
SAM PIERCE
Gary, thanks for the time you devote to 'stalking' aircraft (LOL) so thousands of us can enjoy your photos.
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Roy, Dwight, Dave, Lewis W. and Lewis T. ... Hi to each of you. And my Thanx to each of you too for your nice comments & kind complis.
Lewis W. .. I, too, fondly recall the Reno Air MDs. And I liked the airline. It had its "issues," of course, but safety was always a #1 priority and the employees were always super personable. When I was walking around this one taking pics, a baggage handler drove up with a few carts in tow. He stopped while I clicked a few more shots and then pulled up. I stepped over to Thank him for giving me a few moments for my pics. He smiled and commnented to me that "this is a different looking one." I quickly explained that there used to be an airline called Reno Air that was based right here and that American Airlines had bought it. I told him that this paint scheme represented the old Reno Air. He still seemed slightly unsure so I pointed to the tail and said, "See those three mountains?" He said "Yes." I then turned and pointed to the southeast. He looked at where I was pointing and then he fully understood ... I was pointing to the three mountains that had inspired Reno Air's tail design. And the F/O was right by us. He looked too and said, "there they are." It was great seeing the Reno Air paint back home.
Lewis T. .... Observation areas at airports are nowhere near as common as they used to be, so I am very happy to learn that RDU has an observation park. There used to be a picnic area adjacent to RNO's runway 34L, and the tables are still there, but now there is a fence there too so ... no more picnics. Naturally, we all understand the "whys", but it is a shame that observation areas at so many airports have had to be closed down. So I congratulate the folks at RDU and in your area for still having such a spot. Keep taking the kids there. It is places such as those that spur their dreams. (Wave)
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Hiya, Sam. :-) Hmmm. "Stalking" sounds rather ominous (grin). But I admit I do "monitor" aircraft quite closely (lol). And things have been hopping here lately. The new Lone Star One was here yesterday, so just in the last 48 hours I've spent over 19 at RNO snapping pics. Hmmm. Maybe it IS more like "stalking," after all. (Big wide smile)
And while I'm on the subject of "Sam," ... I just found out that Sam K is back. I just saw his name on a pic in the gallery. I've sent emails to him and everything but had no replies. I thought he'd disappeared into another dimension. Good to know he's back here on FA. :)
RAFAEL DELAROSA
magnificent image indeed!!!!!!
Tom Vance
Mine makes 27 votes Boss..outstanding shot! Yabba!
CaptainSean4
Interesting Livery!
Jakub Wil
Nice!
Isaac Vogelzang
Great photo! 10 stars if possible!
JM32
WOW ! WHOA ! 1st time seeing this picture and I have to say It's awesome !! 3 thumbs up and 5 starz !!
Chris Partin
AMAZING! I Caught her at Reagan National Airport three days ago! :D
ACTIVITY LOG
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Date Aircraft Origin Destination Departure Arrival Duration
20-Feb-2026 B738Los Angeles Intl ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 08:15AM PST 01:05PM CST Scheduled
19-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Los Angeles Intl () 05:53PM CST 06:56PM PST Scheduled
19-Feb-2026 B738Colorado Sprgs Muni ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 02:05PM MST 04:17PM CST Scheduled
19-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Colorado Sprgs Muni () 12:00PM CST 12:41PM MST Scheduled
19-Feb-2026 B738La Aurora Int'l ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 07:02AM CST 10:08AM CST Scheduled
18-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()La Aurora Int'l () 10:37PM CST 01:19AM CST (+1) En Route
18-Feb-2026 B738San Jose Int'l ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 02:24PM PST 07:01PM CST 2:37
18-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()San Jose Int'l () 11:26AM CST 01:23PM PST 3:56
18-Feb-2026 B738Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Int'l ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 07:29AM CST 09:27AM CST 1:57
17-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Int'l () 09:31PM CST 11:36PM CST 2:05
17-Feb-2026 B738Cleveland-Hopkins Intl ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 05:51PM EST 07:24PM CST 2:32
17-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Cleveland-Hopkins Intl () 01:25PM CST 04:29PM EST 2:04
17-Feb-2026 B738Del Bajio Guanajuato Int'l ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 09:50AM CST 11:46AM CST 1:56
16-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Del Bajio Guanajuato Int'l () 07:54PM CST 09:42PM CST 1:47
16-Feb-2026 B738Guanacaste ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 01:27PM CST 05:13PM CST 3:45
16-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Guanacaste () 08:23AM CST 11:44AM CST 3:21
15-Feb-2026 B738LaGuardia ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 07:29PM EST 09:47PM CST 3:18
15-Feb-2026 B738Chicago O'Hare Intl ()LaGuardia () 03:35PM CST 06:09PM EST 1:34
15-Feb-2026 B738LaGuardia ()Chicago O'Hare Intl () 01:07PM EST 02:13PM CST 2:05
15-Feb-2026 B738Miami Intl ()LaGuardia () 08:13AM EST 10:44AM EST 2:30
14-Feb-2026 B738Juan Santamaria Int'l ()Miami Intl () 04:27PM CST 07:53PM EST 2:25
14-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Juan Santamaria Int'l () 11:16AM CST 02:47PM CST 3:31
14-Feb-2026 B738Harrisburg Intl ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 06:34AM EST 08:55AM CST 3:21
13-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Harrisburg Intl () 07:54PM CST 11:16PM EST 2:22
13-Feb-2026 B738El Salvador Int'l ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 03:00PM CST 06:14PM CST 3:14
13-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()El Salvador Int'l () 10:50AM CST 01:46PM CST 2:55
13-Feb-2026 B738Savannah/Hilton Head Intl ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 07:22AM EST 08:59AM CST 2:37
12-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Savannah/Hilton Head Intl () 07:07PM CST 09:49PM EST 1:41
12-Feb-2026 B738Bozeman Yellowstone Intl ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 02:19PM MST 05:39PM CST 2:20
12-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Bozeman Yellowstone Intl () 10:48AM CST 12:37PM MST 2:49
12-Feb-2026 B738Indianapolis Intl ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 08:05AM EST 09:05AM CST 1:59
11-Feb-2026 B738Charlotte/Douglas Intl ()Indianapolis Intl () 05:56PM EST 07:11PM EST 1:14
11-Feb-2026 B738Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport ()Charlotte/Douglas Intl () 01:21PM EST 02:20PM EST 0:58
11-Feb-2026 B738Charlotte/Douglas Intl ()Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport () 11:06AM EST 12:03PM EST 0:56
11-Feb-2026 B738LaGuardia ()Charlotte/Douglas Intl () 07:53AM EST 09:22AM EST 1:29
10-Feb-2026 B738Fort Lauderdale Intl ()LaGuardia () 06:19PM EST 08:58PM EST 2:39
10-Feb-2026 B738Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl ()Fort Lauderdale Intl () 11:12AM MST 04:52PM EST 3:40
10-Feb-2026 B738Chicago O'Hare Intl ()Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl () 07:16AM CST 09:40AM MST 3:23
09-Feb-2026 B738Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl ()Chicago O'Hare Intl () 05:26PM MST 09:18PM CST 2:52
09-Feb-2026 B738Palm Springs Intl ()Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl () 02:31PM PST 04:13PM MST 0:42
09-Feb-2026 B738Chicago O'Hare Intl ()Palm Springs Intl () 11:25AM CST 01:00PM PST 3:35
09-Feb-2026 B738Orlando Intl ()Chicago O'Hare Intl () 08:21AM EST 09:54AM CST 2:32
08-Feb-2026 B738Miami Intl ()Orlando Intl () 09:59PM EST 10:36PM EST 0:36
08-Feb-2026 B738Juan Santamaria Int'l ()Miami Intl () 04:11PM CST 07:30PM EST 2:19
08-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Juan Santamaria Int'l () 11:06AM CST 02:42PM CST 3:35
08-Feb-2026 B738Washington Dulles Intl ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 06:31AM EST 08:26AM CST 2:55
07-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()Washington Dulles Intl () 06:13PM CST 09:27PM EST 2:14
07-Feb-2026 B738LaGuardia ()Dallas-Fort Worth Intl () 12:43PM EST 02:53PM CST 3:09
07-Feb-2026 B738Dallas-Fort Worth Intl ()LaGuardia () 07:20AM CST 11:23AM EST 3:03
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