Identifying plane types
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Identifying plane types
Hi Guys
I am not new to aviation as such but when I am in airports I am always trying to id aircraft types - like from a distance how would one tell an A320 from a 737-500? Or a 757 from a 767? or an A300 from a A330? The smaller types like 146s, ATRs, Fokkers are easy.
Its because I am not around planes much I'm not used to it. Is there anything I can look at for easy identification (not the manufacturer name!!) - i.e cockpit/nose design, winglets, tailfin, engines, window/door layouts etc
Thanks
I am not new to aviation as such but when I am in airports I am always trying to id aircraft types - like from a distance how would one tell an A320 from a 737-500? Or a 757 from a 767? or an A300 from a A330? The smaller types like 146s, ATRs, Fokkers are easy.
Its because I am not around planes much I'm not used to it. Is there anything I can look at for easy identification (not the manufacturer name!!) - i.e cockpit/nose design, winglets, tailfin, engines, window/door layouts etc
Thanks
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The aviation hobby shop at LGW would be a good bet, if you're passing through. It's on the 4th floor of the south terminal, on the observation deck.
There's a Janes book on aircraft recognition which would probably be ideal for you.
There's a Janes book on aircraft recognition which would probably be ideal for you.
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look at the wing tips, tail and relative body diameter.
generally Airbuses have wing fences or the A330 has raked wing tips. 737's have do not have a straight front edge to the tail fin.
etc etc
also 6 wheels per bogey on a twin fan is a 777
best find the books mentioned if you get stuck in.
FS
generally Airbuses have wing fences or the A330 has raked wing tips. 737's have do not have a straight front edge to the tail fin.
etc etc
also 6 wheels per bogey on a twin fan is a 777
best find the books mentioned if you get stuck in.
FS
You can buy it from Man of the Marsh
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Irishwingz, all the above is undoubtedly sound advice. With so many similar configurations around, I venture to suggest that many of us who actually fly the kit for a living have trouble making a precise ID on certain types from a distance, these days!
During WW2 the Royal Observer Corps, who recruited from amongst the local population, used an acronym in their training, W E N T --- Wings Engines Nose Tail. Not an infallible system, according to the number of allied aircrew who were fired upon by their own side
, but a good systematic process in general.
My Dad taught me this when I was a kid and the skies were occupied by a handful of jets and a plethora of props. Still seems to work well for me today, though.
If you are near an airport, you could add a U for Undercarriage (N.Am: Landing Gear).
During WW2 the Royal Observer Corps, who recruited from amongst the local population, used an acronym in their training, W E N T --- Wings Engines Nose Tail. Not an infallible system, according to the number of allied aircrew who were fired upon by their own side
, but a good systematic process in general.My Dad taught me this when I was a kid and the skies were occupied by a handful of jets and a plethora of props. Still seems to work well for me today, though.
If you are near an airport, you could add a U for Undercarriage (N.Am: Landing Gear).
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If it looks and sounds like a big bag of sh*t then it's probably an Antonov or an Illuyshin,
If it's REALLY noisy it's Concorde,
If it skims the hedge/peri fence it's an ATP,
If it smokes like hell and makes alot of racket its a 737-200,
3 engines and looks like the middle one on the tail was an afterthough it's a DC-10,
3 engines and looks gorgeous its a Tristar,
If the engine cowls look like they've suffered a wheels up landing its a 737-300/400/500
Bent wing tips and 2 engines that don't look man enough for the job it's an A330,
Bent wing tips and 4 engines that don't look man enough for the job and some silly spare wheels under the fuselage its an A340,
High tail, high wing and 4 hair dryers under the wings, it's a Bae146/RJ,
..........what you really want is a dirty, noisy, grey coloured thing with 2 engines that spit dirty great sheets of flame on demand, wings that move backwards and forwards, and 2 seats that if all goes pear shaped will catapult you out into the 600knot breeze before your sphincter has even thought about twitching, and the best bit......you can blow sh*t up with it too!!! Check these out at an airbase near you today!!!!
(OOP'S - how many pilots have I just offended?!!)
If it's REALLY noisy it's Concorde,
If it skims the hedge/peri fence it's an ATP,
If it smokes like hell and makes alot of racket its a 737-200,
3 engines and looks like the middle one on the tail was an afterthough it's a DC-10,
3 engines and looks gorgeous its a Tristar,
If the engine cowls look like they've suffered a wheels up landing its a 737-300/400/500
Bent wing tips and 2 engines that don't look man enough for the job it's an A330,
Bent wing tips and 4 engines that don't look man enough for the job and some silly spare wheels under the fuselage its an A340,
High tail, high wing and 4 hair dryers under the wings, it's a Bae146/RJ,
..........what you really want is a dirty, noisy, grey coloured thing with 2 engines that spit dirty great sheets of flame on demand, wings that move backwards and forwards, and 2 seats that if all goes pear shaped will catapult you out into the 600knot breeze before your sphincter has even thought about twitching, and the best bit......you can blow sh*t up with it too!!! Check these out at an airbase near you today!!!!
(OOP'S - how many pilots have I just offended?!!)
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Photos of Airliners ...you could easily lose yourself in spending an entire week looking at over 340,000 photos of civil transport category jets. 
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This is the guide OpsChic is referring to. It's very easy to use and gives a couple of tips on each of the major Boeing and Airbus aircraft (also MD).Details of where to get it can be fund online HERE
OPSCHIC: I look nothing like
- today I'm more like 
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Opschic, Drsyn, BAE, eng, Becks, Irish lads and the rest, thanks for that info. I found the anti Airbus digs funny even though I dont understand the difference and NO I dont want to start that kind of thread
Airliners.net is great, i will probably get that book allright. looks cool.
Cheers and keep uo the posts
Airliners.net is great, i will probably get that book allright. looks cool.
Cheers and keep uo the posts
