Miami's EXECUTIVE Plane Spotting: Classic + Private Aircraft at Opa Locka (OPF / KOPF)

[@mattd1142]

I had no idea there were that many DC-3s operating in Florida

[@garrettklaus9385]

Opa locka specifically has more than a few based there

[@hounddog946]

A beautiful old lady

[@Mauscmkwk]

Well now you know 😂😂

[@davidgaro]

I think if I'm not wrong that it's because they're not pressurized planes and they have a really long life in terms of structural fatigue

[@tsnamm]

There was a time you would see all kinds of DC3's and other propliners at MIA over in "corrosion corner" as they liked to call it... before Challenge Air Cargo built their warehouse there.

[@dominquerobinette1235]

I swear you just can't beat a dc-3 I don't care what anyone says. Just such gorgeous birds!!!

[@blairkinsman3477]

The DC3 changed the world - great airplane - I have a fabulous childhood memory around a CV580 which puts that plane as my favourite

[@UnBeatable39]

First time seeing the Convair-5800, things pretty sweet

[@gcrauwels941]

Enjoyed this. About 14 years ago, a good buddy of mine who flew Lears and Gulfstreams sometimes would let me ride along on repositioning flights from either KPBI or KOPF to KBCT. We left KOPF in a Lear 60 with clearance to 5000 ft and they made short work of that climb in less than a minute. RIP to my buddy T.K. I miss you brother.

[@aircraftadventures-vids]

Glad I discovered this video! Subscribed… 
I’m going to go down memory lane here so bear with me. I consider myself an OPF-spotting old-timer of sorts. Late 1990’s I used to commute from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Lakes for a job, driving on the horrendous Palmetto every day. As soon as I took note of the old radial classics taking off nearby, I’d get up real early and swing by OPF to get my daily dose of old iron, and let me tell you…25 years ago, there were a LOT of old propliners at OPF! Convairs 240/340/440s, tons of DC-3s, DC-6s, DC-7s, Albatross…you name it, it was there. Not to mention a thriving general aviation scene with lots of classic twins (Twin Bonanzas, Queenairs, Aero Commanders, etc). It was a dream for classic aviation lovers. I would arrive early before my workshift to watch the departures to the Bahamas, and then right after punching out at work, I’d be back to watch all the planes come in at the end of the day and taxi over to customs. One evening, I observed a very peculiar shape lumbering towards the airport in the pattern…as it got closer, I nearly crapped my pants. It was a Constellation! It was limping in on only 3 engines. Long story short, a Connie enthusiast group bought a derelict Connie from the Dominican Republic (Aerochago) and spent a month on quick repairs to ferry it to Arizona, where it would be fully restored and fly in Europe. I did see it depart, but I learned later on that sadly funds ran out on the project and the plane was canibalized for parts. Over time, many of the operators at OPF went out of business and all those classic propliners either got sold off or scrapped. So today, OPF is primarily a hub for coast guard ops or business aircraft. Those few DC-3s and one radial Convair (not seen in the video) are the sole survivors from those crazy cargo days I experienced many years ago.

[@JoHnDoE2033]

Mark thank you so much for this video that is me flying the DC3 with Atlantic Air Cargo so cool to see from your perspective. I will be sharing with my friends and family.

[@sliferxxxx]

Fwiw, Miami has two executive airports: Miami/ Opa Locka executive here and Miami Executive (TMB) formerly the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport.

[@mikeveis3025]

It's so cool seeing the DC-3 flying today in 2024. First went into service in 1936. It's been in service 88 years.

[@jayryia]

I could listen to DC3s takeoff all day.

[@radiobikini6429]

Good stuff here. Thanks for the plane identifications. Still amazing that DC-3's are operated.

[@hartke20g]

I worked at Bombardier in OPF and watching the DC-3s start up was the highlight of my days. That, and also watching airport ops drive over taxiway lights

[@Airborne_Arty82]

Neat seeing a 767--I think it was a 767 in the hanger--at an executive airport.

[@jeffmurphree2937]

Is it me or does it look like the wing span on the private jets seem to get longer and longer? It looks really cool along with the larger engines.

[@sanddabz5635]

I would imagine taxiing a DC-3 would be pretty challenging with the way it's angled up there sitting on that tiny back tire. Those Dassault Falcon 7X's are something else!

[@davidrivero7943]

About 5 miles N. of me. Right up Red Road & yes , I go outside when the roar of a DC-3 is heard overhead. TY, for video.

[@simongray8019]

Great to see the Convair

[@robertthomas1569]

Isn't that what Lynyrd Skynyrd went down on?

[@briandubois9572]

Nice to see the tail draggers with no basler conversions 👍😊

[@leazer44]

Wow! Great catches! Loved seeing the old birds still in action! Thanks for sharing!👍🏽

[@MattsAviationChannel]

Stunning spotting video!

[@Rodg470]

Its about time someone starting to plane spot at opalocka. During the airshow there i was there taking some great pictures. Good thing there you'll get a little of everything witch is great. Keep them coming. Great work

[@numberLuan]

Love that 5800

[@Mark.Beltran]

Awesome video. I did not realize Opa Locka airport is only 8 miles north of MIA. Excellent diversity of aircraft.

[@williamprice3929]

Good video, live in North Miami. Listen all the time to 134.675 on an Icom R-7000.😊 Shots of 9L/27R from the road running behind Florida Memorial College.

[@luizantoniofernandes1075]

Pure romantic old aviation times....happy 2024 all folks 🛫🛬🛩

[@jamesparker6017]

Coral Gables. Working out of MIA , I always watched the pea patch operation at Batch Air. Many classic aircraft there.

[@sarahalbers5555]

I grew up in the Gables and the Grove. Just beautiful in the old days. I miss it, but has changed so much.

[@jeffmurphree2937]

OUTSTANDING!!!! I love all the different types of aircraft. I especially like the Convair 580?s. I like them better with the Pratt and Whitney radials!!!!

[@MrRobin61]

Love the DC3''s

[@B1970T]

Nice captures. Lovely vid!

[@american101]

This place is a gold mine!

[@Mets747]

Great video! What a great selection at OPF, please go back!

[@rodolfo2099]

my ex home airport!!, i flew those 3 cessnas that you can see on 0:11, great memories!!

[@bryant3825]

Hi! I live a few miles from Opa Locka Airport and I always seeing the DC-3's and Skytrains flying there on approach or taking off. Its really cool to see them fly at the local airport. I say the DC-3 is still a beautiful bird. But also there are other amazing birds there and I did flew out of Opa Locka Airport when I was dabbling into Pilot Training but will resume it in the future. Didn't know you were there and its cool to see Planespotting closer to home for me.

[@belarusian8380]

Beautifully filmed!

[@Aviation_Videos]

Very nice didnt think there was alot of Groups out there still operation the DC3

[@stubito6526]

Great video with a mix of aircraft.

[@gerardpully762]

Great catch and combination. The old timers always attract our arrention.

[@DOMINICAAVIATION]

Incredible compilation!!

[@sarahalbers5555]

Back in the day, my step father had a very successful business at Opa Loka Airport. It was called DanAir

[@paulchappell]

Nice! Some windy conditions, too.

[@G-Jet92]

I’m thinking about spotting there myself but I’m not sure where I could watch them take off 😁👍

[@AirbusFanA350]

The Dassault Falcon 2000 came to my local airport today, had the same registration.

[@747Kevin_Official]

This is my local airport. I see a lot of DC-3s fly over me everyday!

[@ericrogers6672]

Nice video, more please. Regards.

[@kentpowell5427]

great video - thanks

[@jamesburnside3023]

Great catches indeed

[@luftraumvermesser]

Nice bird (shrike) in front of your camera :-)

[@rozymuhammad]

exellent video❤❤

[@TomCrippsTrains]

Are shots like this possible without a step ladder please? Would love to visit

[@renatoviani]

Awesome video! Do you mind sharing the location? How do you get there? Thanks!

[@christopherknight5571]

Cool🎉

[@davidholden16]

Great video were about's did park and take these shots? would love to go there.

[@Steve-xf4uv]

Very nice; haven't visited there in a while. Looks like I missed a lot. DC-3's and 404's last time I was there. Curios about the tail we see in 25:33

[@neilcigelske4454]

Did not see any 404, but 580's

[@christianperez8037]

The green you see in the background is aloha air

[@Steve-xf4uv]

Cool, Thank you.@@christianperez8037

[@willbygosh4887]

Would make a great airport for some budget airlines like Breeze,Avelo and Sun Country to ease the crowding of Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports.

[@mikesmith7249]

Took me a while to realize the rudder on the DC-3 @ 19:01 isn't broken. Pilot is using full right rudder and is looks weird from this angle

[@Mr_Plop1]

If you want to get more amazing footage I'd suggest going on a Sunday, traffic usually starts around 9 am.

[@jerryconnors8663]

Curious…what happened to Conquest Air Cargo and their Convair freighters?

[@SiRaNaMaUe]

Nice video Mr. Mark.. If I may ask you, how'd you film above the fence ? Which spot did you use for ? Many thanks

[@Coldstreamer17]

20:46 these guys are actually based with us here in KHPN.

[@Rassalhague2]

Many movements to/from Nassau.

[@AviationSkyShorts]

wowww😍😍😍

[@Strange_Energy-t4o]

23:00..Clean

[@DJ99777]

Stevil 1 Kinevil flies to Opal Ochre.

[@cpark1570]

I live near OPF, where did you spot from?

[@ianmitchell1594]

Just what I was thinking and what camera are you using

[@Mr_Plop1]

Looks like on the north side from 9L/27R on nw 156th st.

[@dennisfox2340]

Great work! I'm in Deerfield beach & keep a dedicated screen up w/ADSB-Exchange on 24/7. Sub'd! TNX,D

[@mcraft2240]

Seemed like that Caravan was heavy

[@mcraft2240]

Indianapolis Colts owner at 25:40.

[@АлександрНиколаев-э6ю]

Там В-767 "бандит" Абрамовича, что ли стоит ?

[@guybeingaguy]

I had a job in the industrial park across the road. Got a hot dog from that Ractrac and a drink, pulled into a great spot mid runway for a quick lunch, guy next to me in a mini van. Under 90 seconds private security lit up those orange lights and had me move along PRONTO. Literally hot dog in hand and she pulls in ready to call reinforcements should a napkin drop! Next day. Same spot, same result. I flipped her off THEN I moved along. If you don’t like your job…… It was that long side road, outside the chain link fence semis running EVERYWHERE!

[@christopherslane7830]

Too bad you didn’t get Stevo heading out.

[@bobbybob3865]

I never been there so I never saw The Donald.

[@bobbybob3865]

bobbybob, does The Donald allow other people to use HIS airport?