Today, I had the rare privilege of seeing a very special and spectacular moment in aviation history. For the first time in my life, I saw the Antonov AN-124, one of the largest cargo aircraft in the world, depart from Austin, Texas.
The giant had arrived yesterday from Canada, and after a slight delay in its departure from Canada at 7 PM Eastern time, it touched down at Austin’s airport, preparing for its next leg. This morning, just a few hours ago, the AN-124 finally took off from Austin, bound for Aleg Airport in Germany. The sheer scale of the aircraft, combined with the powerful rumble of its engines, was an experience I’ll never forget.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the best shots because, of course, my camera decided to act up just when the aircraft started rolling down the runway! The excitement was real, and with the massive jumbo jet taking off, they had to temporarily close Runway 18 R for four minutes to allow the Antonov to run its engines before taxiing to the cargo apron. It was amazing to see in person, even though my shots came out less than perfect.
For anyone in the area or anyone who’s a fellow aviation enthusiast, the AN-124 is expected to arrive in Aleg, Germany at 10 AM local time tomorrow. It’s a unique opportunity to see one of the world’s most impressive and massive aircraft in action—something that doesn’t happen every day.
It’s a testament to how far human ingenuity has come in aviation-to see the Antonov live. Despite the camera mishap, seeing that enormous bird roar down the runway and lift off into the sky was nothing short of mesmerizing. If you get a chance, I highly recommend catching it on its next leg. The Antonov AN-124 is a true marvel of modern aviation, and seeing it up close is an unforgettable experience.