how many professional pilots are also spotters?
Join Date: Oct 1999
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Never was a spotter as a kid. I lived too far from the airport to even have heard of such a thing. Otherwise I probably would have become one. But not a number collector though.
There are some freakish individuals who are spotters which I suppose is where the bad name comes from. It has been suggested that an obsession with lists of numbers etc is a form of autism. Which makes sense. But most spotters are simply aircraft enthusiasts. Some become pilots or go into other aviation trades.
One thing I don't quite understand is why many enthusiasts don't bother to get a job which places them at the airport or around aircraft. I have a friend like that. He has a dull low paid job where the only aircraft he sees are at lunchtime inbound to the airport. Photos are his thing and many are on the net. He is always updating his camera and lenses.
I knew one obsessive spotter years ago who quit his job in ops because they moved offices and longer overlooked the runway. I didn't mind as I replaced him
Ironically his new company went bust soon after.
Many pilots are not really aircraft enthusiasts, many is the time, I've been with pilots who have no idea of the identity of even quite well known types. They think I'm a spotter when I can identify them, even more some when I take a picture. For many pilots it's just a job, a job they like admittedly but a job all the same. Whatever their reasons for getting into flying in the first place. It becomes routine.
Like everything else in life they're are variations on a theme. A bit like sexual proclivities
Everyone has their fetish. Me? I'm an 'aerosexual'.
~ I just like to 'jump into the cockpit five times a day and take her to heaven and back'.
There are some freakish individuals who are spotters which I suppose is where the bad name comes from. It has been suggested that an obsession with lists of numbers etc is a form of autism. Which makes sense. But most spotters are simply aircraft enthusiasts. Some become pilots or go into other aviation trades.
One thing I don't quite understand is why many enthusiasts don't bother to get a job which places them at the airport or around aircraft. I have a friend like that. He has a dull low paid job where the only aircraft he sees are at lunchtime inbound to the airport. Photos are his thing and many are on the net. He is always updating his camera and lenses.
I knew one obsessive spotter years ago who quit his job in ops because they moved offices and longer overlooked the runway. I didn't mind as I replaced him
Ironically his new company went bust soon after.Many pilots are not really aircraft enthusiasts, many is the time, I've been with pilots who have no idea of the identity of even quite well known types. They think I'm a spotter when I can identify them, even more some when I take a picture. For many pilots it's just a job, a job they like admittedly but a job all the same. Whatever their reasons for getting into flying in the first place. It becomes routine.
Like everything else in life they're are variations on a theme. A bit like sexual proclivities
Everyone has their fetish. Me? I'm an 'aerosexual'. ~ I just like to 'jump into the cockpit five times a day and take her to heaven and back'.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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I must admit that I do find it slightly embarassing having mates who are spotters, so God only knows how it must feel to actually be one!!
I've always lived near Ringway (I know..) and have always looked up when I've heard a plane going over, but actually underlining registrations in a book??
Even when I was a kid at school in Wythenshawe (the posh end, mind) you only went to the airport to shoplift, nick bikes and generally give the police someone to chase. If you were a plane spotter, you'd be strung up!
Imagine my horror when I hear that an old mate of mine, quite possibly the most obsessive spotter in the world, now flys for Ryanair!! I'm glad that planes fly themselves nowadays (well, nearly), because I hear he even takes his 'scope into the cockpit with him!! I just hope the controls are waterproof as there'll be drool everywhere...
You know who you are 'inge...
I've always lived near Ringway (I know..) and have always looked up when I've heard a plane going over, but actually underlining registrations in a book??
Even when I was a kid at school in Wythenshawe (the posh end, mind) you only went to the airport to shoplift, nick bikes and generally give the police someone to chase. If you were a plane spotter, you'd be strung up!
Imagine my horror when I hear that an old mate of mine, quite possibly the most obsessive spotter in the world, now flys for Ryanair!! I'm glad that planes fly themselves nowadays (well, nearly), because I hear he even takes his 'scope into the cockpit with him!! I just hope the controls are waterproof as there'll be drool everywhere...
You know who you are 'inge...
Join Date: Apr 2007
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don't like the term spotter....
.....but I defo. consider myself as photographer. I love standing in half a meter of snow while clicking away on the first sunrise arrivals.
....nothing beats a sunrise a FL410 though
....nothing beats a sunrise a FL410 though
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Started spotting in 1979 and have travelled the world whilst enjoying my hobby and although spotting attracts the ridicule of many, I know and have met many highly intelligent and articulate people with knowledge that would put many professionals to shame . I currently fly the B737NG, (which members of the spotting fraternity may recognise in my name) Although, strangely I find it more difficult to indulge my interest whilst working, but I try to visit the viewing park at EGCC or have the odd 'weekend away'
STM
. I currently fly the B737NG, (which members of the spotting fraternity may recognise in my name) Although, strangely I find it more difficult to indulge my interest whilst working, but I try to visit the viewing park at EGCC or have the odd 'weekend away' STM
PPRuNe Person
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Started in flying after being taken to see the Hunters and Gnats over the perimeter fence at RAF Valley. It was the smell of the burning AVTUR that did it!
Now I have flown for a living since 1985 and have never even had a PPL. I maintain an interest in aircraft recognition as my job demands a certain proficiency, but have never collected a registration in my life!
I just get in 'em and fly 'em and I know what they're all called (nearly)
But a spotter... you decide!
Now I have flown for a living since 1985 and have never even had a PPL. I maintain an interest in aircraft recognition as my job demands a certain proficiency, but have never collected a registration in my life!
I just get in 'em and fly 'em and I know what they're all called (nearly)
But a spotter... you decide!
Although he does note registrations, a good friend of mine hates being called a spotter. He prefers to be regarded as an aviation historian and photographer. As he vehemently declares, "today's sighting is tomorrow's history". He has a point. How many of you non-spotters (but enthusiasts) enjoy reading aviation publications such as Propliner? If it wasn't for those yesteryear spotters (er...aviation historians) and their records/photos we wouldn't benefit from these great magazine articles now. I spot and photograph too and I'm at an age when I no longer care what people think of me. I know plenty of air traffic controllers and airline pilots who do note registrations - although many don't openly admit too it
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Years ago I always found that if you made the point that you were an 'enthusiast/spotter, In an Airport or Airline Interview, It didn't do you any favours in getting a job!
It was almost 'frowned' upon!
I think they were scared of you getting excited about those flying machines!!
It was almost 'frowned' upon!
I think they were scared of you getting excited about those flying machines!!
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I have no problem with spotters but please, and this is very important outside uk area where spotting is not known, do NOT just walk into a hangar/just outside the door and start snapping/recording etc.
Thrust me I have slammed hangar doors in the face of people who have done that (and it happens more times than you think)
ASK FIRST and if times are quiet (like now, hence I find myslef in a strange part of pprune) you may even get shown around and be given some history.
Even applies to the big groups from the UK who pass by here from time to time.
PS I work in aviation, love the business, fly for a hobby but I cannot remember all the aircraft s/n's in my fleet and so to the guy a few years ago who pinned me once with questions regarding ops our cargo fleet did, how did you remember all our times/destinations? I need by flight folio tracking system
Thrust me I have slammed hangar doors in the face of people who have done that (and it happens more times than you think)
ASK FIRST and if times are quiet (like now, hence I find myslef in a strange part of pprune) you may even get shown around and be given some history.
Even applies to the big groups from the UK who pass by here from time to time.
PS I work in aviation, love the business, fly for a hobby but I cannot remember all the aircraft s/n's in my fleet and so to the guy a few years ago who pinned me once with questions regarding ops our cargo fleet did, how did you remember all our times/destinations? I need by flight folio tracking system
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Not a spotter "per se", as I don't collect reggos.
I'm more into the estetical side of it. Airports and the machines that inhabit them can make for really good photographic value.
As with INNflight, I'm the kind that can go to the airport in the most un-godly hour, in order to get the shot.
You gotta do what you gotta do....right!?
I'm more into the estetical side of it. Airports and the machines that inhabit them can make for really good photographic value.
As with INNflight, I'm the kind that can go to the airport in the most un-godly hour, in order to get the shot.
You gotta do what you gotta do....right!?
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Stories exist of a few "long / slow " taxi's being undertaken by Martinair and KLM crew's and then pictures appearing in copies of Scramble , just a rumour of course .....
No room in the flightdeck these days though to hang the old Snorkel Parka up !
May the farce be with you
Daft Wader
No room in the flightdeck these days though to hang the old Snorkel Parka up !
May the farce be with you
Daft Wader
I'm interested in aircraft, but I can't say I'm a spotter. Not as much as a Manchester controller thought I was one day, at least. I was told to follow a CRJ. A small aircraft with 2 engines and a t-tail taxys past, so I follow it. The controller gets very upset as we're now out of sequence, and being in a 747 we have to take off out off turn as there's no way of manouevring back in.
"I told you to follow a CRJ. You followed an EMB155" he says!
Long silence, followed by the only reply I could think of:
"Listen mate, I'm paid to fly them - not spot them!"
The Dubai controllers used to do the same. They were always telling us to follow an Emirates 777 or an Emirates A330. It took me a while to work out which was which. The winglets gave it away.
"I told you to follow a CRJ. You followed an EMB155" he says!
Long silence, followed by the only reply I could think of:
"Listen mate, I'm paid to fly them - not spot them!"
The Dubai controllers used to do the same. They were always telling us to follow an Emirates 777 or an Emirates A330. It took me a while to work out which was which. The winglets gave it away.
Last edited by Dan Winterland; 30th Apr 2007 at 09:41. Reason: spilleng
