Alton’s airways photo gallery

Alton Jones hires a plane to scout the Arkansas River for the Diamond Drive.

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<p> Alton Jones flew with a friend from Waco, Texas, to Little Rock to scout for the Elite Series Diamond Drive in June.</p>
Alton Jones flew with a friend from Waco, Texas, to Little Rock to scout for the Elite Series Diamond Drive in June.
<p> Jones enters Central Flying Service as he booked a plane to fly over the Arkansas River.</p>
Jones enters Central Flying Service as he booked a plane to fly over the Arkansas River.
<p> With a shot at the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Jones wants to make every effort he can to win it.</p>
With a shot at the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Jones wants to make every effort he can to win it.
<p> A day trader, Jones is pleased as a check on his Apple stock shows it was up on the day.</p>
A day trader, Jones is pleased as a check on his Apple stock shows it was up on the day.
<p> Jones and pilot Dan Gallo make their way onto the tarmac.</p>
Jones and pilot Dan Gallo make their way onto the tarmac.
<p> Light cloud cover made conditions ideal.</p>
Light cloud cover made conditions ideal.
<p> Jones said he felt comfortable flying in the four-seat Cessna 172.</p>
Jones said he felt comfortable flying in the four-seat Cessna 172.
<p> Jones buckles up.</p>
Jones buckles up.
<p> Gallo breaks out headsets so the two can communicate more easily.</p>
Gallo breaks out headsets so the two can communicate more easily.
<p> Jones’ Skeeter hat forgot the ‘fly.’</p>
Jones’ Skeeter hat forgot the ‘fly.’
<p> Jones was armed with a GPS unit, still and video cameras, a notebook and his eyes.</p>
Jones was armed with a GPS unit, still and video cameras, a notebook and his eyes.
<p> Less than 10 minutes after sitting down in the plane, Jones was up over the Arkansas River.</p>
Less than 10 minutes after sitting down in the plane, Jones was up over the Arkansas River.
<p> Jones gives Gallo a few more details of what he wants to accomplish.</p>
Jones gives Gallo a few more details of what he wants to accomplish.
<p> The river was starting to recede after significant floods, and Jones wanted to get a better feel what is occurring on the water.</p>
The river was starting to recede after significant floods, and Jones wanted to get a better feel what is occurring on the water.
<p> A large covered dock (bottom left) was knocked free from its moorings by floodwaters.</p>
A large covered dock (bottom left) was knocked free from its moorings by floodwaters.
<p> Two more segments of the dock lie dead in the water..</p>
Two more segments of the dock lie dead in the water..
<p> Jones said one part of his mission was to see water color in backwater areas and determine if he could navigate into promising locations.</p>
Jones said one part of his mission was to see water color in backwater areas and determine if he could navigate into promising locations.
<p> A boat moves from the shore on the main river channel..</p>
A boat moves from the shore on the main river channel..
<p> In backwater areas, Jones checked for vegetation and the presence of baitfish.</p>
In backwater areas, Jones checked for vegetation and the presence of baitfish.
<p> Jones looked at some areas that had Cypress trees.</p>
Jones looked at some areas that had Cypress trees.
<p> He also looked to see if there were cuts in dykes.</p>
He also looked to see if there were cuts in dykes.
<p> Cuts with water flowing could stack up fish waiting for a meal.</p>
Cuts with water flowing could stack up fish waiting for a meal.
<p> Just seeing how the river was flowing since the floods was helpful, Jones said.</p>
Just seeing how the river was flowing since the floods was helpful, Jones said.
<p> Water was still flowing strongly out of the locks and dams.</p>
Water was still flowing strongly out of the locks and dams.
<p> Wing dams were visually inspected.</p>
Wing dams were visually inspected.
<p> Jones points out a potential area he wanted to check out.</p>
Jones points out a potential area he wanted to check out.
<p> Jones tells Gallo which way he wants to go.</p>
Jones tells Gallo which way he wants to go.
<p> Gallo makes a hard left to go back over it.</p>
Gallo makes a hard left to go back over it.
<p> If he saw an area he wanted to try in practice, Jones would punch the waypoint into his GPS.</p>
If he saw an area he wanted to try in practice, Jones would punch the waypoint into his GPS.
<p> Videotaping would help Jones remember how to access particular backwater areas.</p>
Videotaping would help Jones remember how to access particular backwater areas.
<p> During the flight, Jones turned to say he was seeing some promising areas that would have taken him days to find in a boat.</p>
During the flight, Jones turned to say he was seeing some promising areas that would have taken him days to find in a boat.
<p> Water flows from the Murray Lock and Dam.</p>
Water flows from the Murray Lock and Dam.
<p> Anglers in the Diamond Drive could fish in the shadow of Little Rock.</p>
Anglers in the Diamond Drive could fish in the shadow of Little Rock.
<p> The tournament weigh-ins will be held under the blue tent of the Little Rock Ampitheater.</p>
The tournament weigh-ins will be held under the blue tent of the Little Rock Ampitheater.
<p> The launch ramp is across the river in North Little Rock.</p>
The launch ramp is across the river in North Little Rock.
<p> Gallo and Jones head back to the terminal after 1.4 hours in the air that Jones said was like '1.4 months in a boat.'</p>
Gallo and Jones head back to the terminal after 1.4 hours in the air that Jones said was like ‘1.4 months in a boat.’
<p> With his tools on the counter, Jones pays the pittance of an investment toward the AOY.</p>
With his tools on the counter, Jones pays the pittance of an investment toward the AOY.
<p> Jones snatches up his notepad, saying he didn’t want any other Elites to be able to see his notes.</p>
Jones snatches up his notepad, saying he didn’t want any other Elites to be able to see his notes.