Maurice B. Quirin has been a landscape and transportation photographer since 1972. He's a member of the New Hampshire Aviation Historical Society and National Railway Historical Society. Mr. Quirin is co-author, with Edward W. Brouder Jr., of Manchester's Airport: Flying Through Time (ISBN 0-9721489-9-X). Mr. Quirin also worked as a freelance editor and anchor for The Wall Street Journal Radio Network and was news director at WBNS radio in Columbus, OH.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Kalitta Boeing 727-200s Fly Horses from Lexington, KY

October 11, 2011 found the cargo ramp at Blue Grass Airport [LEX] busy with another first class equine trip from "The Horse Capital of the World" to Lehigh Valley International [ABE] in Allentown, PA.  H.E. Tex Sutton Forwarding Company has three 727s at its disposal operated by Kalitta Charters II of Ypsilanti, MI, N723CK, N725CK (which is in Tex Sutton livery as shown above middle at LEX on Nov. 8, 2011) and N726CK (shown above on Nov. 8 landing at LEX).  Flight KFS723 on Oct. 11 featured the former tri-jet manufactured in 1972, N723CK, serial number 20545 with Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9SER engines.
 While the horses are led up the ramp, a TAC Air fueler pumps Jet A into the 727.
As the horse trailer pulls away, KFS723 calls Blue Grass ground control for permission to taxi to Runway 22.
Kalitta 723 taxis past the LEX Passenger Terminal and Blue Grass Airport Safety Center on its way to Runway 22.
Following takeoff clearance from ATC, Kalitta Flight 723 is on the roll and seconds later lifts off Runway 22, soon to talk with Lexington departures for handoff to Indianapolis Center for its heading to Allentown.
Talk about hoofing it in style!!!