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Our chariot arrives! Embraer Regional Jet 145LR (N566RP) taxis to the terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport prior to our flight to Birmingham, AL. This 55 seat ERJ, built in 2003, is operated by Chautauqua Airlines for Delta Connection.
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Two Rolls Royce AE3007A1P engines give the 145 a quick take-off and climb rate. FLL would be closed the next day as hurricane Wilma struck South Florida... we got out just in time.
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Departing to the east we crossed over the coast just as the aircraft was entering the low cumulus clouds.
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Turning to the north west, we were back over land and above the puffy cumulus clouds with mostly wispy cirrus clouds above us. However, this was soon to change.
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Ominous looking outflow from hurricane Wilma could be seen above us as we flew over central Florida. Wilma would make landfall as a Cat 3 hurricane about 15 hours after this photo was taken, knocking out power to millions of south Floridians.
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Leaving Florida we were finally out from under Wilma's outflow, and into cool, dry air with only a little haze.
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Looking like a computer generated fractal landscape, we had a great view of Lake Martin in Alabama.
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A maze of country roads in Coosa County, Alabama.
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Arrival at Birmingham International Airport... not a cloud in the sky. We would enjoy great weather for most of the next week.
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Our captian and first officer shutting down the cockpit.
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The Embraer is one sleek looking aircraft which we were able to get a good look at after disembarking. No need for a jetway, just a few steps down to the tarmac...
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...and then a few more steps over to the baggage cart. Not a bad way to fly as long as the weather is nice. And thus our flight to BHM came to a close.
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