River Visual Approach Washington D.C.

River Visual Approach to runway 19 at Washington Reagan National Airport

[@klausdiefenbach8329]

As a retired airline pilot who has flown this approach, I found it very satisfying to watch and well done. I like the callout of the landmarks as well. Thanks for the memories.

[@TitusFFM]

For what Airline did you fly sir ?

[@CaptChet]

Klaus Diefenbach likewise!

[@danielmorgan3590]

iNEInteresting! How do u do with turbulence?

[@danielmorgan3590]

@@drewski1535 ok

[@smithcourtney]

Thanks for waking me up every morning way too early.

[@matheuspaesdesouza]

One bug was harmed in the making of this video.

[@FrankIsAlwaysRight]

Matheus Paes de Souza he went quickly

[@spiritmatter1553]

May we always remember the bug's noble sacrifice. RIP, little buddy.

[@3Brandon11]

Beautiful approach and amazing scenery. Loved how you pointed out all of the sites. Well done to the pilot and well done to the poster of this video. Thanks!

[@BunsAndGunsCalendars]

I'm retired now after 30 years, We did this many time being DCA based. Nice video, thanks for the memories. AB 321 Capt

[@mountaingirl1797]

Thank you for your service sir‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@rickw6660]

Love the way you identified the sites.

[@cherylpeevy5010]

Forgot to mention the Kennedy Center right near Watergate.

[@stevenreichertart]

I live in Washington, and love my experience here. What a beautiful city.

[@Bgz8890s]

Just visited for the first time 3 months ago, was awesome! Although if I ever owned a car there I'd probably be hitting myself in the head with a hammer everyday lol.

[@stevenreichertart]

@@Bgz8890s Agreed, but no car needed if you I've in the city.

[@Bgz8890s]

@@stevenreichertart My girlfriend and I stayed on Rhode Island Ave. one block away from the Red Hen. Was perfect taking ubers, mostly scooters lol.

[@booyah685]

Best ever approach from the cabin, even better from the cockpit 😍

[@MRSomethin1]

As a pilot for Kazakhstan Airlines it was nice to see this, normally at this point in my approach both myself and the co pilot are taking hits from the bong and we miss the view

[@corporalclegg914]

is nice’a. they make a clear to land, so cousin had to make a toilet on floor. airplane prostitute in Delta uniform not happy with this.

[@davidmccartney3433]

Lol😅

[@steveperks9277]

Don't spill the bong water 😂😂😂

[@MRSomethin1]

no thats ok we top up the bong with rum or beer@@steveperks9277

[@jesuisdenis5739]

Fantastic video. I love the way all of the sites, bridges, and other attractions are pointed out along the way. Well DONE!!

[@ArizonaAirspace]

This was one of my favorite approaches. It was a lot of fun to execute this approach. I did a lot of them between 2009 through 2013. Thanks bringing back those fun memories.

[@kylehuff5510]

What a great video. Thanks so much for putting this together. Pointing out the landmarks was a really nice touch.

[@bobanpen1]

I’ve done this approach many times in my Bonanza A36. Great video brings back memories.

[@ToxicDover]

The park at 5:08 is such a cool place to hang out. Loved the video, thanks for putting it up! :)

[@MatthewSmith-cv7op]

Its called Gravelly Point. Excellent place to plane spot when they're using the River Visual.

[@barbkeen1221]

I used to go there years ago on my motorcycle and watch them land for hours. I'd have to leave the key to on or otherwise the vibration from them taking off would set my bike alarm off! I miss going there to watch the planes. 😔

[@ecoRfan]

Once the airplane flew over all the people I jumped

[@maxh7055]

I used to go there with my dad, so many fun memories!

[@Willllburrrr]

The last bridge you go over is the CSX railroad Long Bridge which as a Locomotive Engineer I cross over almost every day and I always wave to you pilots and you guys never wiggle your wings back...kinda hurts a guys feelings, if you know what I mean :-)

[@saxmanb777]

If I could see you, I'd wave back. I always look for trains from the air.

[@Willllburrrr]

@@saxmanb777 I'll keep looking..

[@markg7963]

I’m a pilot. And love to see trains on the ground. Will wave back.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

My husband, a farmer, loved it when pilots from the old Navy base at Millington would “buzz” him in the middle of our fields as they were doing military exercises. He still talks about it 40 years later, how they’d rock their wings and everything. He was never so proud to be an American farmer!

[@dblissmn]

The other day as I was on a train on the Yellow Line next to CSX, I have to say I think a plane got just a little TOO low and close while in that side-slip....

[@jdolaktv]

Such a beautiful approach, and that landing was absolute butter.

[@johnkeating362]

We used to visit Washington every fall. The colors were so beautiful as we approached, pretty much the same flight path. We always had a beautiful Cadillac limousine waiting for us, and always asked for the same chauffeur. We’d check into our B&B, and run to the street to catch a cab to Hillwood for lunch and tour the estate. We’d end the afternoon having drinks at The Willard Hotel in the Round Robin Bar. The same bartender would always be arriving for her shift, and she always remembered us and our drink order. We sat at a table in the window relaxing until we had to dash back to change for dinner. We always picked whatever restaurant was new and well reviewed. Then we’d end the evening at J.R.’s. We miss those trips.

[@H.pylori]

Not sure why youtube recommended this video, but it is great. Having been born and raised in D.C. I have never seen it like this before. Have been away for a long time, so all of those new buildings are amazing. Once walked the C&O Canal to Great Falls during the Kennedy 50 mile walk craze in 1962. Thanks.

[@williamcorgile9823]

Absolutely fantastic video. I remember flying in from Boston at dusk. The lights of the city were very dramatic. Thanx for this video !

[@dnhuntsr]

Outstanding video. The identification arrows make it much more pleasant to watch. Well done.

[@DumbledoreMcCracken]

I used to live on the top floor of a building in Rosslyn, and airliners used to fly 100 ft or so above the building at times. They couldn't make the jog towards Georgetown you made. It is great to see the view of that route, being a glider pilot, I would've never been able to fly it myself. Thank you so much.

[@phoenixshade3]

I think anything flying over Rosslyn is more likely on approach to 15, not 19.

[@williamluebs7538]

Very nicely done and thanks for the memories. This was my very first right seat landing in B727 in 1979 I think. River Approach DCA, with a NTSB pax in jump seat catching a ride. Came out just fine. Being terrified helps. Ha

[@nixworld767]

Now there's an interesting post due to the fact you gave me my B777 rating ride (FO) in 2009! At the 1/2-way point of the simulator session, you put it on freeze and said it's time for a break. My Captain partner and I kind of looked at each other a bit dazed. You said "well, great guys, you two are doing just great!". I looked at you and said "really? if that's the case I'd REALLY hate to be the guys who are not doing so well!" (We passed. I now laugh, but i can't forget you). I'm a new 737 Captain now, and making my first landing into DCA in just a few days. Thought i'd come to this great institution of learning, youtube, and figure out how it's done. Hope you're enjoying retirement.

[@mikebrophy]

My dad used to take me out to Gravely Point as a kid in the late 70s/early 80s to watch the tri-jets land! Man, those things would scream overhead, maybe I saw you!

[@ariadnehenry7309]

As a lifelong Washingtonian this was really nice to watch--thank you. FYI at 2:20 the buildings you point to are Sibley Memorial Hospital; the Aqueduct property is off to the side, on the other side of the water pool . The park at 5:08 is Gravelly Point and it's a great place to watch planes land/take off as they fly directly overhead.

[@aviation_4267]

I actually visited the park and got a couple videos of the planes flying just over my head

[@LA-ep2nr]

Great video. I loved the identification of our National Monuments and various landmarks.

[@Pilot.Lindsay]

Great Video. Love How You Show Landmarks. Thanks for Sharing.

[@njaneardude]

Love the bug caption!

[@joevenuti1201]

How DARE you neglect to point out the Kennedy Center! For shame! ;-)

[@badlobo2105]

Dont bug me bug..

[@petehenry7878]

Bet the bug doesn't have the guts to do that again.

[@jasonking2943]

Bet he won't have the guts to do that again!

[@hamnchee]

Bet he won't have the guts to do it again. Again.

[@richardoconnor8984]

Quite likely the best major city airport landing in the US. As someone who enjoys passing time at Gravelly Point -- the park that's a stone's throw from the runway -- I've often wondered about the altitude of the airplanes as they pass overhead (you can see the park in the video). One-hundred feet, according to the onboard computer. For this reason kite flying, baseball/softball are not permitted at the park. Rugby, however, is. I absolutely adore that park. Watching planes take off and land every 35 seconds on a regular weekday never gets old.

[@javianjohnson8746]

Man this is such a cool video. Thank you for also calling out the monuments during the approach too 🔥

[@mountaingirl1797]

Oh my word‼️‼️‼️how magnificent👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻… God bless this/these and all our pilots for their good efforts in such great responsible jobs……. What a gift to get to watch this early this am…. Thank you also Penguin 6 for the good your are doing… PRAYERS AND SAFETY FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@EJofLA]

Awesome video thanks! Loved the landmark captions and pointers. Bravo!

[@vapilot7814]

Amazing flight and pointing out the landmarks, can't thank you guys enough for a glimpse!!!!

[@TheSwanlake2009]

I live in near Washington DC I drive there daily. It looks so different from the sky .thanks for this awesome video

[@Hallands.]

Really nice, especially loving the landmarks!

[@Foggen1231]

Brilliant. Recognised many of the sights even from the air. From Oz. I love Washington DC

[@Sven2157]

Talk about "greasing it in"! That was a PERFECT approach! Well done, sirs, well done!

[@mountaingirl1797]

Down to ten feet🤦🏼‍♀️😱😱👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻perfect …

[@GDMan-fb1jx]

Excellent seeing all the landmarks of my old stomping grounds, thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@LuciferMorningstarDanny]

One of the best approach videos I’ve ever seen , full view great pointers , awesome 😎

[@mikegilliam5826]

I live near Reagan, and that park at 5:08 is pretty nice. Theres a bike path along it, I would definitely suggest going on it if you come here to dc.

[@aj3751]

Wish I read this a few years ago lol My sister used to live on F street. I used to go to the roof of her apartment and watch these guys come in while she studied

[@airops423]

Yes, Gravelly Point Park. I grew up in NoVA and would go there all the time.

[@barbkeen1221]

I used to go there on my motorcycle while I was going home from either a soccer or softball game. I'd sit there for hours and just watch them. Unfortunately I had to leave my key to the on position when they were taking off as it would set my bike alarm off.

[@eurouc]

Reagan???? I assume, if you are local, you know it’s National or simply DCA

[@barbkeen1221]

@@eurouc It's National for me. I miss the old airport, but things change.

[@jobu88]

Nice video. I've made that approach dozens of times as a passenger. And I've sat in the park just off the north end of the runway watching planes land more times than I can count. Cool to see the cockpit view.

[@propagandaaccount]

Beautifully done...what a masterpiece

[@tinawoodell1957]

I use to live in that area and have made that approach many times. Love Reagan National Airport

[@IztokGolob-Naklo]

What a great video. Thanks. I stayed close to the airport and Gravely point a few years ago and just couldn't get my eyes of planes landing almost on the top of my head. I recommend it to anyone who likes this. I met a pilot at my hotel. Very friendly. He'd been to my country (Slovenia), loved the beer and girls :), so he was very willing to share with me a few details. This right turn just before the city really looks way more dramatic from the ground so I asked him about it and he said it was the last bit of fun in commercial flying. By the way to all who intend to visit DC. This area, Pentagon 2 if I remember correctly is a nice place to stay. Especially if you like to hike, jog or ride a bike. Right next to the Potomac is a trail that leads right into the city and passes near Pentagon and Arlington. I did it every morning with my wife. Hot, humid sometimes but glorious. It starts near the airport.

[@davidmcc359]

Great video and love the arrows showing major sites which educates us who do not normally know the area..

[@danb1942]

Wow, that has to be the best air tour I've ever seen!

[@iseektruth7435]

I lived in the DC area for 20 years. Awesome perspective!!

[@alvaro1810]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing it.

[@keithyearwood1080]

stunning! thank you for pointing out the landmarks!

[@davidmuse7004]

Best manual appraoch in the nation. Have flown this route many times and it neveer is a dull moment. Love this video!!

[@kewkabe]

Better than LGA Expressway visual to 31?

[@ThienTran-kn5gh]

Yas

[@lbowsk]

@@kewkabe Yes, by a factor of 10. Another great approach to NATIONAL is coming down the Anacostia to runway 21, but circling to 19. Yes, I said 19 not 18 because the last time I flew it, the runway was labeled 19. My fave airport in the Nation.

[@aj3751]

@@kewkabe Yeah that Expressway visual looks fun as hell, but this approach to Reagan looks gorgeous too

[@OSTARAEB4]

Agreed. However, I like the River approach into Runway 22 where you get a much closer, birdseye view of Manhattan better than the Expressway "tanks" approach over Bklyn and Queens before the hook in to Runway 31.@@kewkabe

[@margaretroselle8610]

Informative,picturesque approach and landing!Thank you!

[@gogetthegoose1]

Thank you for highlighting the points of interest.

[@tailhookmd2546]

Very nice. You missed a big one though - the Kennedy Center just to the south of the watergate hotel. Living here it’s easy to forget how many insane landmarks we have. And that’s just a few.

[@mackenja43]

Awesome video; thank you!

[@aj3751]

My sister went to law school in DC. Her apartment building was right near the Washington Monument and this approach to Reagan. I used to go on the roof of her building and watch the planes come in. While I'm glad she's home, I miss doing that

[@lbowsk]

It's Washington National and has been since it opened in 1941. Carpetbagging Republican A-Holes renamed it during the Clinton Admin, just to P him off. The same party that can't stand anyone messing with Robert E Lee statues felt no remorse in renaming National. I will never call it Reagan.

[@aj3751]

@@lbowsk It's Reagan. Stop being a crybaby. Out of everything I just said, you came here to be political. Go somewhere else, because nobody cares about your politics, snowflake

[@ianwilliams9107]

@@lbowsk You're a true Washingtonian. NOBODY who lives here calls it "Reagan". We forget, the airport was not named after the city. It's in Virginia and is named after its favorite son, and father of the country GEORGE WASHINGTON. No historian here, but somehow I suspect Washington was a bit more significant than a B movie, movie actor like Reagan.

[@ianwilliams9107]

@@aj3751 The change of names was NEVER an expression of the will of the people. Yes, we do care about politics. It is NOT Reagan. Stop being a fascist.

[@aj3751]

@@ianwilliams9107 You shouldn't use the word fascist if you don't know what it means. The name of the airport is the name of the airport. This video is posted for us to see a visual apporach, because we're here as aviaiton enthusiasts. I'm pretty sure LOTS of people in DC call it Reagan. Let me correct you. YOU TWO (you and steve) are here to be political. The rest of us came aren't. If all of this is too much for you to handle, then get off the internet and cry in the corner. Jeez

[@harri211]

Wow, from the air the Potomac River looks like a creek, but when you stand next to it, the river is HUGE. Awesome video!

[@rontiemens2553]

It widens out quite a bit just south of the airport. More than a mile wide at south Alexandria.

[@bobbuilder5601]

very nice- I especially liked how you pointed out landmarks.

[@HazellRahh]

Thank you for this. Excellent prep for doing the real thing. Well done!

[@xdiver01]

Very nice video sir, thanks also for the memories.

[@PomiTV]

Can we get an F in chat for that bug

[@spencerbrown3875]

F

[@dr.barbeque2767]

F

[@mpacker]

F

[@turbofanlover]

RIP poor buggy. LOL.

[@tennistributeshd6740]

F

[@barkboingfloom]

What a beautiful approach! I never realized how close everything in the DC metro-area is.

[@ms_1402_]

"Bug" lmao .. very nice Vid with good points there. Thanks from Vienna/Austria

[@KenPryor]

Love this video. Thanks for posting it!

[@ronlawray1563]

Have observed landings from path at Gravelly Point....Never gets boring as approach is so low you can see passengers.... I highly recommend tourists visit it....This is my first time seeing this cam....Awesome!

[@denflyer832]

Amazing approach!

[@CaptChet]

Just great! Love that approach.

[@dimitris.9115]

one of the best approaches !!

[@briancalifornia1]

When i was flying into Washington Reagon Flying over the Potomac River is so beautiful all the nice houses and green bushes.

[@rigor.m9422]

Lul username checks out

[@oenchanteddoveart6294]

This is more gripping than most films these days lol, amazing work and I won't lie I was stressing a little as you guys were getting lower and lower and there was no runway in sight XD

[@squiddi1393]

Wow. What a beautiful approach.

[@jeff9104]

Great stuff, first time that I saw this approach !

Super. The park 5:08 is excellent.

[@imjuslooking7270]

Very cool video, and I've done that flight once or twice going into Wash. National Airport. This was when I was like 14 and was listening to Ashford and Simpson on my tape cassette. We went to DC a few times with my Moms as she was going to conferences there.

[@atcdan133]

Excellent video

[@21lt]

Beautiful approach!

[@wilsonandlucy]

Great video--thanks for sharing.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

Awesome thanks for posting

[@ishan_p15]

I was on a flight from SRQ to DCA on this river approach and I've got to say, the bank right over the bridge just a few seconds before landing caught some of us off guard lmao.

[@bobbypaluga4346]

Extremely cool, with all the clutter of buildings I didn’t see the runway until we were at 500 ft. Nice landing, you didn’t waste any runway bringing that bad boy just inside the end. That must mean a short runway

[@Texas80]

That was really cool, I'd love to visit that park just before the plane lands. Greet viewing spot it looks like.

[@deuce9star]

I go there regularly to jog on the path and to plane spot. It's really nice when the planes are landing from the north because they get very close. That's my spot!

[@dnhug]

Great video! Hope to see that from the flight deck one day myself! Subscribed

[@zafreacts1587]

Awesome video. The landmark call out 👌

[@ellipoe]

love it, used to sit across the river at anacostia watching planes land for hours sometimes

[@Whitesp44]

"bug" love it. Great video thank you

[@bretts1]

Sirs thank you for great video and pointing out the landmarks especially the “Den of really Greedy Swamp Creatures.

[@kofManKan]

Wow, really nice. City looks beautiful from the air. So many trees. Weird approach, but made it all the better IMO. I'd say it's a nice one to fly. Thanks for that.

[@Tuffluck23]

Way cool, Thank you!

[@moondawg5]

thank you, that was great

[@dreadnaught3894]

Beautiful . . . but beautiful . . . . Thanks!

[@user-hb2zs7uw3u]

Thanks for video !!

[@DerekDtj]

My wife and I flew into D.C. on the afternoon of 9/10/01 for my medical appointment at Walter Reed. We passed the Pentagon, the first time she'd ever seen it. The next morning, Lt.Col. Bob Hymel, USAF (Ret) was at work early, sitting at his ground floor desk in the Navy Department exactly where the terrorist airliner hit the building, killing him instantly. As we entered Walter Reed I was informed that all visiting appointments had been cancelled, since they were awaiting casualties from the Pentagon. I've never forgotten that day, OR the swamp dwellers that planned it!!

[@davidjeromejohnson5410]

I am always excited to land in DC on a North to South approach. The City is spectacular in it's purposeful simplicity. Loved the naming of the monuments however, wished that the "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" could have been labeled. Not quibbling though, video was beautiful!

[@hambone4402]

Awesome video. Used to live there. Thanks for identifying the landmarks. Don’t remember the bug, though.

[@cmemorra]

Watched flights from my hotel room at Mandarin Oriental. Love the last minute turn at 14th st bridge. Great video, thanks.

[@icuqt2]

One of my favourite approaches to do in the sim

[@robertpayton3795]

Very, very nicely done!!! Send me MORE please.

[@wr1830]

I used to work at the Model Basin. My boss (in Seattle) and I (in DC) call DC "Alice's Wonderland" lol. And since you are noting Bridges, ..... the last complex of 3 bridges when it called out 500 feet is the 14th Street Bridges (part I-395) that I take to and from home in Virginia and which Air Florida 50 (737-200) hit before ditching in the Potomac in 1982. One of the bridges is named the Arland Williams Jr Bridge after the passenger who lost his life by helping saving his fellow passengers of flight 50.

[@jbw9999]

Air Florida flight 90

[@OSTARAEB4]

Yes. I reminder that also back then.@Windfield Scott

[@appleiphone69]

Windfield Scott it was not a fireman, it was an ordinary citizen who stopped his car and jumped into the freezing water.

[@ryanmendi5607]

That plane crash is what got Howard Stern fired from a dc radio station because in the middle of pulling people out of the water, he called the airline to ask “ how much is a ticket from National to the 14th St bridge”

[@timvanbeek6452]

Very nice with the interesting sightseeing stuff pointed out. Nice approach also. Thanks

[@ThaOlBoy]

Awesome Video and graphics! And educational lol.

[@johndotson3639]

Very cool Thanks

[@Rhaman68]

One day in an A-320 flying this approach, ATC had a commuter on approach to one of the cross runways and another plane waiting for takeoff on the main one. I was asked to hug the shoreline and slow down. I did but their plan was not going to work! As I prepared to go missed approach the plane waiting for departure was taken off the runway, the commuter was sent around and with the thinnest Of margins I was able to land! Phew! It was a hair raising moment! Tower guys saved the moment!

[@justinthyme7275]

My friend, Tim Twohy, went down in his Cessna 172 in Rainy Pass Alaska March 6, 2019. Still haven't recovered his body due to weather/terrain. So sad!

[@larsrosing5033]

Nice approach, well done! That was the heading bug at the end! 😅