I Did a Double Take When I Saw This Google Satellite Image of Waterville, Maine

Let me say right out of the gate that I'm a little weird. I use Google maps satellite way more than anyone should. I'm fascinated by looking at places from space. I do super geeky things like following old, out-of-use railroad tracks to see where they used to go to. Boring for most, interesting for me.

I also use Google Maps like a normal person does. Trying to find where a location is and how to get there. I can't even imagine going back to a physical map today.

Recently, I wrote an article about the Waterville Fire and Rescue and Parks and Recreation "Soak the Kids" event, where they let the kids get sprayed by water as they tested the water pumps. It was held at Head of Falls, which I wasn't familiar with. So I looked it up to find it, switched to satellite view, and saw this nearby.

At first, I thought, "That's a weird place for an airport." Then I zoomed in.

It's not an airport. It's a plane flying over Kennebec River Development Park across the river in Winslow. Google's satellite imagining happened to snap a picture of it just as it was flying southwest, about to cross into Waterville.

I don't know anything about flying planes, flight paths, and changing altitudes. I've played Microsoft Flight Simulator before, and I'm terrible at it. But I have a theory that could be very wrong, and you're welcome to correct me on it.

Based on the direction this plane is flying, could it be on its way to the Augusta State Airport? It's a straight shot right to the runway 18 miles away.

Again, I'm not an expert, so I would love it if anyone familiar with flying in Maine might be able to explain more about this really cool catch.