Planespotting Notes 1/20/25

The sunlight in winter always looks so frail, so powerless, but it still gives me warmth. It’s like that glimpse of light in a dark cave, which may seem distant but represents hope. 

It’s this sensation that gives me inert comfort, and this is why I decided to stay next to the runway after dropping my brother off at LAX at 5 A.M. 

Parking next to runway 25R of LAX isn’t the best place to catch some more rest. I tried to sleep in the car to supplement my three hours of sleep that night before sunrise, but I couldn’t do it because of the planes departing. 

Every time I hear that hum from the far side of the runway, a sense of curiosity inflicts me to take out my phone and check Flightradar24. There was no way for me to fall asleep with DHL’s crossing the runway and the early morning departures. 

I was in the car, staring at the horizon afar, seeing the planes getting smaller and smaller, turning south before disappearing in the view. The sky lit up.

So I stepped out of the car, grabbed my camera, and faced the chilling wind of the morning. After photographing the two arriving LATAMs, I was shaking uncontrollably and had to grab another jacket. 

Morning departures have the most interesting mix of aircraft. Some heavies, some privates, and some regionals. The planes I saw were worth it despite the coldness I faced. Two jumbos, some Dassaults, and even a special Disney livery of Alaska Airlines are not the views to be seen daily. 

I stayed there and photographed for about 40 minutes before I went back because, surprisingly, there was a period of time when no flights were departing from the southside. 

Hopping back in the car, feeling the early morning sun showering on me while cruising east on the 105, gave me a sense of comfort. I fell in love with the serenidity of early mornings.