Most picturesque airfield in the USA...
 

I have been asked to photograph the three most picturesque airfields in the US. The only condition is that they have to theoretically be able to accomodate a Learjet 60XR, so a field length of (SL, ISA, MGTOW) 5,450ft.

I am looking for dramatic surroundings; snow capped mountains, desert, palm trees etc...

I'd love to hear about your favourites.

Many thanks,

McH

Hmmmmmm
I'm gonna go with

Sedona, AZ

Leadville, CO ( < highest airport in North America! Get a T-shirt :})

Jackson Hole, WY

Does it have to be the US? i am guessing the client is european based?

I agree about Sedona but would also suggest Telluride (KTEX), Colorado, absolutely stunning airport location. The runway is almost 7000 ft long but this airport is at elevation over 9000 ft.

This was a no brainer for me, too: Sedona AZ. Apart from the airport mesa itself the surrounding area is spectacular and the visibility pretty much always good even in "winter".

Jacson Hole, Wyoming
 

This airport is the clear US winner. Also take a look at Sand Point, Idaho. Outside the US it would be Lugano, Innsbruck, and Salzburg.

Jackson Hole
 

If your picture could look off to the right you would see the Grand Teton mountain range. I have a Swiss friend who says its more beautiful than the Alps.

KMCD (macinac island) Idyllic, with all other forms of motorized transport banned on the entire island. Horse-drawn carriage meets your citation at the ramp.

KWYS West Yellowstone

Arguably the world's greatest trout stream guards the north end. Bison are an omnipresent hazard. The mountains are so beautiful you are at risk of crashing due to distraction. Oh, and due to its other role as a major firebase, the runway is so large that, as you come over the continental divide from paradise valley (and the beautiful little airport at North Gate (29S), it looks like you're on short final at about 10,000 AGL.
Plus, they let pilots camp free.

My two favorites:

Pity you need so much runway... No problem for a PC-12 but too short for you.

Andover, New Jersey
http://www.andoverflight.com/images/aeroflex450.jpg

Mountain Air, NC
http://www.privatemountaincommunitie...nAirAerial.jpg

Kinda sums up the problem with his client's business plan. Good coffee though!

Thank you all for the replies so far, there's a definate cluster of pins appearing on the map!

McH

As a picture editor, despite my Colorado bias, I'd have to pick Sedona and Sitka out of the pictures (or my own experience) so far as being the top 2.

Telluride: http://www.rschein.com/images/telluride.JPG - but it is closed for renovation until 11/09, and at 9000' elev. is probably marginal for your specs even though the length is 6870'.

Aspen, CO: definitely a playground for bizjets

http://www.aspenpitkin.com/depts/46/...rt2Eastbig.jpg

1. Aspen/Snowmass, CO | SkiNet.com: The Ultimate Online Resource for Ski Gear, Ski Travel, Ski Action.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/1831414_49c2b73fbc.jpg

http://www.naimark.net/writing/image.../AspenJets.jpg

http://www.silverlakespalatine.com/w...places/ase.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...jets.60022.jpg

Probably a toss-up with Jackson, Wyo depending on whether you're shooting on the ramp or in the air - and the season.

Might add Friedman Memorial, Hailey/Ketchum/Sun Valley Idaho

http://nilsribi.files.wordpress.com/...airport-01.jpg