Matt Younkin‘s Beech DA-18 Twin Beech by Randy Gusdorf

A finalist in the Our Flying World Photo Contest, the shot captures the motion and fury of the classic twin in action.

Photo of the Week May 3: Beech Twin
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article features Randy Gusdorf's "Photo of the Week" of Matt Younkin's Beech DA-18 Twin Beech, captured at the 2019 Chesterfield Air Show.
  • Gusdorf intentionally photographed the aircraft in challenging, misty conditions, believing it enhanced visual elements like the shiny wings and exhaust texture.
  • It notes that Matt Younkin previously experienced a landing gear malfunction with the Twin Beech but, with local help, remarkably repaired the plane and got it flying again within a few days.
See a mistake? Contact us.
Photo of the Week May 3: Beech Twin

This week’s Plane & Pilot Photo of the Week is a terrific shot by Randy Gusdorf of airshow star Matt Younkin’s gorgeous Beech DA-18 Twin Beech taken an airshow last year. Younkin was forced to land the plane with the gear only partially extended after malfunction while he was preparing for an airshow at Saint Joseph, Missouri. Thanks to some local help, he was remarkably able to get the plane back up and running again in only a few days’ time.

Gusdorf captured this striking image, which he calls “Flight to the Future,” at the Chesterfield Air Show, near St. Louis, Missouri, in September of 2019. “That day,” he recalled, “was a cloudy, misty, and rainy. I love to take my pictures in more difficult conditions, as I find that, as here, the elements can be enhanced, as in this shot the shiny red wings, and the exhaust texture in the picture, adding an additional sense of motion.”

Gusdorf’s shot was one of the finalists in this year’s Plane & Pilot Your Flying World Photo Contest.

Congrats to the photographer and to Matt Younkin and team for a great shot and a great outcome despite cloudy conditions!

Plane & Pilot

Plane + Pilot is general aviation’s only adventure-based magazine. From where to go, to how to get there, and everything in between, your next great adventure awaits.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get the latest Plane & Pilot Magazine stories delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE