I was a train spotter in the days of steam engines, well the end of steam
, then moved on to aircraft spotting until about 18.
However I have kept a strong interest in aircraft photography and have been fortunate to have worked in aviation for the last 29 years.
Looking back through the many photos and seeing the pictures of Gatwick with a North side GA Terminal full of single engine piston a/c, a Miles Gemini, a based Miles Messenger and grass and woodland where the 140 stands are now, the horseshoe ramp from the A23 up to the terminal, is looking at History as well as aviation.
Looking at the variety of aircraft types around as late as the early 1980's is fascinating as well, not to mention the number of airlines that have come and gone. At the smaller end of the scale the differences are only just coming through with the new 'kitplanes' breaking the monopoly of Piper and Cessna that existed for 30 years or so.
I am amazed most days to see a significant crowd of interested people lining the fence at Kotoka International (Accra) watching aircraft movements. A couple of AN124's have been around recently and I cannot help but stand and watch when they take off.................. an awesome sight.
The fact that I have an interest in aircraft has kept me in the industry. I would hate to be in a job which I wasn't interested in.