In March 2023, the Aviation PhotoCrew took a major step toward expanding its aerial photography operations into North America with two days of dedicated Skyvan testflights in Arizona. The goal was not to stage a full-scale photo project, but to evaluate whether U.S. procedures, airspace coordination, and operational workflows could support the same Skyvan-based photomission concept that has proven so successful in Europe. With strong advance support from the FAA and Skydive Arizona providing the photoship, the stage was set for a critical proof-of-concept exercise.

The team for this milestone consisted of Aviation PhotoCrew members Santi, Tom, Michael, Geert, videographer Max, and myself, joined by long-time collaborators Ricardo von Puttkamer and Larry Grace. We were also delighted to welcome Kedar Karmarkar, the first U.S.-based photographer ever to fly with us in Europe, alongside a USAF photographer from Davis-Monthan. With the full team on board, expectations were high as we launched into Day One—despite weather conditions that were very different from the classic Arizona stereotype. Cloud cover, unexpected rain the day before, and a desert landscape in bloom provided a unique and challenging backdrop.

Initial plans to fly with multiple European F-35s operating from Luke AFB had to be postponed due to late-stage approval realities involving USAF-controlled bases. While disappointing, this quickly highlighted the importance of understanding U.S. military coordination requirements. Fortunately, civilian operators allowed the programme to continue at full momentum. The standout join-up of the day came courtesy of Top Aces, who presented one of their aggressor F-16s, still wearing its original Israeli Air Force paint scheme with added red star markings. Flown with exceptional precision at slow speed, the aircraft stayed with the Skyvan for more than thirty minutes, delivering every imaginable photo angle over the Kitt Peak/Sells military airspace.

Day Two saw operations move to Ryan Airport, offering ideal positioning between FAA-controlled civilian airspace and restricted areas near the Mexican border. The first U.S. warbird encounter followed, with the CAF SoCal Wing flying a beautifully coordinated sequence featuring an F6F Hellcat and Zero—a pairing rarely seen in Europe. Challenging turbulence, cold temperatures near the open Skyvan ramp, and heavy shadowing tested both crews and equipment, but the results proved the robustness of the concept. The day continued with a memorable appearance by the US Navy Growler Legacy Team, followed by a new aircraft type for the Aviation PhotoCrew archive: the Subsonic MiniJet, flown with smoke and marking the smallest jet-powered aircraft yet photographed by the team.

Although not every planned join-up materialised, the Arizona testflights achieved exactly what they were designed to do. Procedures, communication, safety protocols, and aircraft performance all translated effectively from European operations, while highlighting areas requiring regulatory adaptation. Extensive discussions with the FAA are now underway to align Skyvan operations with U.S. and Canadian approval frameworks. With Arizona proving the concept in real-world conditions, the Aviation PhotoCrew left confident and energized—fully prepared for its next North American milestones, including Abbotsford, Pacific Airshow, and a return to Arizona later in the year for further fast-jet operations.