Aircraft spotting

From Free net encyclopedia

Aircraft spotting or Plane spotting is the enjoyment, observation and photography of aircraft: gliders, powered aircraft, large balloons, airships, helicopters, and microlights.

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When spotting planes, observers notice the key attributes of an aircraft. They may notice a distinctive noise from its engine(s) or the number of vapour trails it is leaving against a blue sky. They will assess the size of the plane and the number, type and position of its engines. Another clue is the position of wings relative to the fuselage and the degree to which they are swept rearwards. Are the wings above the fuselage, below it, or fixed at midpoint? Perhaps it is a biplane or triplane. The position of the tailplane relative to the fin(s) and the shape of the fin are also clues to its type. If it is an antique or light aircraft it might have a tail wheel. Some aircraft types have a fixed undercarriage whilst others have retractable wheels. Other features may come into view, the speed, cockpit placement, colour scheme or special equipment that changes the silhouette of the plane. Taken together these clues will rapidly hasten the correct identification of a plane. Obviously some types are easily confused whilst others have a more distinctive appearance. If the observer is familiar with the airfield being used by the aircraft and its normal traffic patterns, he or she is more likely to leap quickly to a decision about the aircraft's identity - they may have seen the same type of aircraft from the same angle many times.

Some spotters will note the markings, a national insignia or airline livery or logo perhaps, a squadron badge or code letters in the case of a military craft. Published manuals allow more information to be deduced, such as the delivery date or the manufacturer's construction number. Camouflage markings differ, depending on the surroundings in which that aircraft is expected to operate.

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Ancillary activities might include listening-in to air traffic transmissions (where that is legal), liaising with other "spotters" to clear up uncertainties as to what aircraft have been seen at specific times or in particular places, and the drawing, painting, filming, tape-recording or photographing of aircraft.

The hobbyist might travel some distances to visit a different airport fom their usual one, to see an unusual aircraft or to view the remains of aircraft withdrawn from use. Some aircraft might be eventually be placed in the care of museums (see Aviation archaeology) - or perhaps be cannibalised in order to repair a similar aircraft already preserved.

During WWII and the subsequent Cold War some countries encouraged their citizens to become "plane spotters" in an "observation corps" or similar public body for reasons of public security. Britain had the Royal Observer Corps which operated between 1925 and 1995.

Some spotters are competitive and may get a thrill from seeing, in due course, all the planes of a particular type ever built (or existing at that date).

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Some airfields in Australasia, Europe and North America recognise the public's interest in aviation as something to be encouraged and provide viewing areas in safe locations. Many organised airshows draw large crowds and some raise funds for charitable causes such as museums, organisations restoring historic planes, or bodies that assist injured aircrew or the dependents of Armed Forces' personnel. Some shows have a more commercial motive, and some aircraft photographers can make a profit from their hobby. The World Wide Web has provided a new outlet for some of their photographs.

See bus spotting, train spotting, birding, and butterfly watching for examples of similar hobbies.

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