why are we despised?
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Don't bother about these people who look down on you..they are not any better than you just remember that and keep on spotting..there is no harm in it whatsoever..i too enjoy watching aircraft..and helicopters around where i stay but i don't bother what they think..i enjoy it .and whenever i fly anywhere on holidays i always wear my PPRuNe badge..
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Spotter for 37 years. Ignore the flak form others. One man's meat is another's poison etc.
What can be better than sitting on a summer's afternoon at a rather lovely Dorset airfield with a pint, the Sunday paper and jotting down the passing planes. Mind you in the past have been almost unable to write when standing at perimeter fence in the late 60s at Heathrow in January - huge block letters with pen gripped in fist.
What can be better than sitting on a summer's afternoon at a rather lovely Dorset airfield with a pint, the Sunday paper and jotting down the passing planes. Mind you in the past have been almost unable to write when standing at perimeter fence in the late 60s at Heathrow in January - huge block letters with pen gripped in fist.
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.
, 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.
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You just keep on doing what you enjoy. Always remember. Everyone of us on here was once a spotter. Some, for some stupid reason don't actually like to admit it but they were and still are. Even the most solid of FD crew will still turn their heads when the hear the sound of a passing aircraft.
Remember this also. We will support you at all times on this forum - so just enjoy eh?
Remember this also. We will support you at all times on this forum - so just enjoy eh?
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I have some photos which i took whilst travelling from Glasgow to Barcelona from the window of the Boeing737 including some shots on take off and landing ..i really enjoyed taking them..hopefully you will see them if you visit this site.. http://photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebird121/#: :cool
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I just dont get the numbers thing- aircraft enthusiasts are different as modern aircraft are a great spectacle, but numbers ??
Sorry but it borders on obsessive behaviour, you collect numbers and then what do you have, a collection of numbers yee haa
Sorry but it borders on obsessive behaviour, you collect numbers and then what do you have, a collection of numbers yee haa
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Different strokes for different folks! I look on stamp collecting as an anti-social obsessive (and selfish) passtime. I mean stamps- buy 'em, stick em on a letter and kiss 'em goodbye! What is the fascination? But if people enjoy it, that's their business, and it keeps them off the streets troublemaking, so buy a big album and fill yer boots. But if they cause no problem, great- it really worries me not a bit and I have never sounded off about it before. I don't understand it. I do understand keeping train and aeroplane numbers. They don't cause trouble- let them enjoy!
I had a daughter that used to collect Strawberry Shortcake dolls. Other kids collect Cabbage Patch kids, My Little Pony crap paraphernalia and more. It's their business! As long as they don't mug old ladies to indulge their hobby, let them jump in with both feet without others making rude comments to spoil it for them! After all, we are internet obsessives taking it out on Pprune- how would we feel if they criticised us? So why don't we just let everybody indulge their hobby without trying to put them on some guilt/apology trip?
I had a daughter that used to collect Strawberry Shortcake dolls. Other kids collect Cabbage Patch kids, My Little Pony crap paraphernalia and more. It's their business! As long as they don't mug old ladies to indulge their hobby, let them jump in with both feet without others making rude comments to spoil it for them! After all, we are internet obsessives taking it out on Pprune- how would we feel if they criticised us? So why don't we just let everybody indulge their hobby without trying to put them on some guilt/apology trip?
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yes, i really struggle to understand what drives people to spend so much time and effort in collecting numbers what is it all about? i can understand people collecting stamps, matchboxes, dolls etc, i can understand people taking photos and being interested in the technical aspects, but numbers?? really does sound like something you would normally grow out of at about ten years of age(no offence meant)
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I definitely think it's more an of a mans hobby than a womans. Figured that out after joining an aviation club in Ireland. There were very few women involved & I began to understand why when I'd recieve their newsletter usually delivered six months late. Page after page was full of aircraft registrations & contributers would get awful excited over aircraft livery & aircraft movements as if it were the last thing on earth.
It just wasn't my scene at all & to try to get them to divert from this to become actively involved in other areas of aviation such as airshows, musemns, behind the scenes @ airports, pleasure flights (they perceived light aircraft as a joke; one member didn't perceive flying to Hong Kong on a regular basis & spending the whole week encounced around the airport spotting as not?
) was like trying to wake the dead.
Everyone to their own, it's usually a harmless enough activity (try telling the Greeks that) but personally it did nothing for me & I did perceive it as obsessive & nerdy. They appeared to live, breathe & eat their hobby. Wouldn't be the first type of men I'd be attracted to either. Sorry.
Perhaps part of the problem is that pilots tend to be can do, action types while spotters tend to be more passive types (& that is a major understatement) hence the clash & lack of understanding & respect between them, well eh barr the pilots that are spotters too, not to mention the general public (blimey this is getting confusing).
Still being a member did get me a few jumpseat rides off my own bat (I preferred to planespot from up there ) & entrance to an absolutely brilliant airshow so something worthwhile did come out of it.
P.S. I think there's a big difference from turning your face skyward when hearing an aircraft, something I'll admit to do & being a planespotter. The two just aren't the same.
But if that's what you perceive a spotter to be well hell then I must be a spotter.
It just wasn't my scene at all & to try to get them to divert from this to become actively involved in other areas of aviation such as airshows, musemns, behind the scenes @ airports, pleasure flights (they perceived light aircraft as a joke; one member didn't perceive flying to Hong Kong on a regular basis & spending the whole week encounced around the airport spotting as not?
) was like trying to wake the dead. Everyone to their own, it's usually a harmless enough activity (try telling the Greeks that) but personally it did nothing for me & I did perceive it as obsessive & nerdy. They appeared to live, breathe & eat their hobby. Wouldn't be the first type of men I'd be attracted to either. Sorry.
Perhaps part of the problem is that pilots tend to be can do, action types while spotters tend to be more passive types (& that is a major understatement) hence the clash & lack of understanding & respect between them, well eh barr the pilots that are spotters too, not to mention the general public (blimey this is getting confusing).
Still being a member did get me a few jumpseat rides off my own bat (I preferred to planespot from up there
) & entrance to an absolutely brilliant airshow so something worthwhile did come out of it. P.S. I think there's a big difference from turning your face skyward when hearing an aircraft, something I'll admit to do & being a planespotter. The two just aren't the same.
But if that's what you perceive a spotter to be well hell then I must be a spotter.
Last edited by Omaha; 4th Aug 2005 at 17:31.
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Bah, there are always going to be people who think your hobby is 'weird' or 'useless' or 'a waste of time'. Lord knows people wonder at most of my hobbies, including my enthusiasm for aviation.
I'm not a 'spotter', if we use the definition of tracking registrations etc., I just love watching airliners. It started when I was 4 or 5 years old, when my dad would take my brothers (7 and 9 years older than me) to the airport (Toronto) and I would tag along. I quickly developed the talent of being able to look up in the sky and announce, "47" or "DC-9", which wasn't a pastime shared with my girlfriends.
Today, I get to the airport early for flights so I can wander and admire. Twice a year I head to the airport for the sole purpose of watching the planes from the T1 parking lot. Gah!
They closed that parking lot. Anyone know where a good onsite spotting area at Pearson is now?
I'm not a 'spotter', if we use the definition of tracking registrations etc., I just love watching airliners. It started when I was 4 or 5 years old, when my dad would take my brothers (7 and 9 years older than me) to the airport (Toronto) and I would tag along. I quickly developed the talent of being able to look up in the sky and announce, "47" or "DC-9", which wasn't a pastime shared with my girlfriends.
Today, I get to the airport early for flights so I can wander and admire. Twice a year I head to the airport for the sole purpose of watching the planes from the T1 parking lot. Gah!
They closed that parking lot. Anyone know where a good onsite spotting area at Pearson is now?
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G-LOST,
don't tar us all with the same brush, some of us at Oxford absolutely love aircraft and aviation in general. Having said that, there are quite a few people here who do see flying purely as a career. When swapping aircraft stories with the instructors you can hear them chuckling away and see them rolling their eyes mockingly. I often wonder why they are even here - as someone mentioned earlier, it's hardly a career you just fall into, is it ?
As for that F.O., in years gone by it would have been hand off throttle, hand on the back of said F.O.'s head.
All spotters,
Keep doing what you love. I fully understand your passion and, if I'm honoured enough to get in a cockpit, will acknowledge you with a wave.
VC10 Rib22 (currently studying Radio Navigation, or at least trying to, the situation being somewhat hindered by aural detection of Conways whining, causing me to open the blind and look at a beloved VC10 as it passes once more on approach to Brize Norton)
VC10 Rib22
don't tar us all with the same brush, some of us at Oxford absolutely love aircraft and aviation in general. Having said that, there are quite a few people here who do see flying purely as a career. When swapping aircraft stories with the instructors you can hear them chuckling away and see them rolling their eyes mockingly. I often wonder why they are even here - as someone mentioned earlier, it's hardly a career you just fall into, is it ?
As for that F.O., in years gone by it would have been hand off throttle, hand on the back of said F.O.'s head.
All spotters,
Keep doing what you love. I fully understand your passion and, if I'm honoured enough to get in a cockpit, will acknowledge you with a wave.
VC10 Rib22 (currently studying Radio Navigation, or at least trying to, the situation being somewhat hindered by aural detection of Conways whining, causing me to open the blind and look at a beloved VC10 as it passes once more on approach to Brize Norton)
VC10 Rib22
Last edited by VC10 Rib22; 4th Aug 2005 at 18:23.
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At the PFA rally a few years ago, My Dad and I flew in, in a lovely Super Cub in military markings. A chap wandered up and asked to look inside - we were more than welcoming, expecting to let him jump in and show him around. All he did was look at the registration plate and wander off. We thought it strange.
Having said that, I take an interest in aviation, I love watching aircraft and am happy to encourage and help people.
As for spotting - no problem.
The annoying thing is, when a spotter comes up and tries to unload his encyclopaedic knowledge on you, as if he is the only one who knows. I have spoken to many and instead of an interesting discussion, you get a monologue of what he knows.
I go to a fair few airshows with the BA mobile sim, and I am always happy to chat and encourage (that is my only reason for doing it). However, I would love to strangle the odd monologue man!!
Apart from that, there is a very British disease of frowning on success or knowledge - and that is where the "despisement" comes from.
A few months ago I went to the model engineer exhibition at Ali Pali. I was the youngest there (almost!). For those who don't know model engineering is about steam engines and rockets, not about plastic kits. I Thought it a real shame that when the generation there is gone, the skills will have gone too. Its a real pity.
PS when I wave, please wave back!
Having said that, I take an interest in aviation, I love watching aircraft and am happy to encourage and help people.
As for spotting - no problem.
The annoying thing is, when a spotter comes up and tries to unload his encyclopaedic knowledge on you, as if he is the only one who knows. I have spoken to many and instead of an interesting discussion, you get a monologue of what he knows.
I go to a fair few airshows with the BA mobile sim, and I am always happy to chat and encourage (that is my only reason for doing it). However, I would love to strangle the odd monologue man!!
Apart from that, there is a very British disease of frowning on success or knowledge - and that is where the "despisement" comes from.
A few months ago I went to the model engineer exhibition at Ali Pali. I was the youngest there (almost!). For those who don't know model engineering is about steam engines and rockets, not about plastic kits. I Thought it a real shame that when the generation there is gone, the skills will have gone too. Its a real pity.
PS when I wave, please wave back!
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When I was 3 1/2 my father (WW2 Halifax nav RAF) used to take me to the Joint station to look at the A4 Pacifics. After a bit the only way to get the screaming brat out of the station was to get on a train. The shortest stop was to Dyce. After a couple of occasions I found that there were these interesting things called aeroplanes on the other side of the fence (this was in the days when the pax terminal was on the east side next to the Gander- Dower building).
One thing led to another and now I'm looking forward to my RAF pension.
In between I have looked at aircraft of all sorts anytime and everywhere (there are some really dangerous bits on Britain's motorways - Filton, M25 J12, M40 by Wycombe, M42 by Birmingham, M1 by Wittering, Kegworth (always sad, like M74 by Lockerbie) and a whole chunk of the A1 through Yorkshire).
Spotters - anyone in aviation who doesn't has missed something along the way. Its more than a job.
Spotters - not everyone has the luck to get what I have had from flying. If you take pleasure from looking and logging - good luck.
Sven
One thing led to another and now I'm looking forward to my RAF pension.
In between I have looked at aircraft of all sorts anytime and everywhere (there are some really dangerous bits on Britain's motorways - Filton, M25 J12, M40 by Wycombe, M42 by Birmingham, M1 by Wittering, Kegworth (always sad, like M74 by Lockerbie) and a whole chunk of the A1 through Yorkshire).
Spotters - anyone in aviation who doesn't has missed something along the way. Its more than a job.
Spotters - not everyone has the luck to get what I have had from flying. If you take pleasure from looking and logging - good luck.
Sven
Logging registrations
To those who ask 'why?':
you could ask the same question to those who go to a cricket match or baseball game and fill in their own scoresheet... or like to keep sporting statistics about their favourite teams and players...
or anyone who keeps a personal diary or journal. I've met people who like to keep records of when the apple blossom comes out ('earlier this year than last') or they hear the proverbial first cuckoo.
Me, I like to record the changing airlines and types at Heathrow (regretting that I was too young for the piston era); I can tell you which aeroplanes I saw at Shoreham 30 years ago (5-Aug-75), and feel some pleasure at remembering it (the 'star cop' was a B-25, to save you asking).
My interest in aviation having been sparked by my first passenger flight, aged 10, I was keen to visit my local airfield; by looking up the registrations in Civil Aircraft Markings, I learned to tell an Apache from an Aztec from a Seneca etc, and took some pride in doing so. That useful little Ian Allan publication had a blank column headed 'where and when seen' - so that's how it started.
I have to agree that I've met some borderline-OCD types while practising the hobby over the last 35 years (including 27 while working in the aircraft industry and 12 as a PPL); I've also met many knowledgable, friendly and fun chaps too. I also agree with Omaha that female participants are very rare - more's the pity - though I've met some very nice ones at Schiphol.
Actually, I've always found that you meet the nicest people around aeroplanes - so who can blame spotters, in their own way, for wanting to be part of the scene? And a spotter's logbook preserves those happy memories of days spent on airfields.
Rhys.
you could ask the same question to those who go to a cricket match or baseball game and fill in their own scoresheet... or like to keep sporting statistics about their favourite teams and players...
or anyone who keeps a personal diary or journal. I've met people who like to keep records of when the apple blossom comes out ('earlier this year than last') or they hear the proverbial first cuckoo.
Me, I like to record the changing airlines and types at Heathrow (regretting that I was too young for the piston era); I can tell you which aeroplanes I saw at Shoreham 30 years ago (5-Aug-75), and feel some pleasure at remembering it (the 'star cop' was a B-25, to save you asking).
My interest in aviation having been sparked by my first passenger flight, aged 10, I was keen to visit my local airfield; by looking up the registrations in Civil Aircraft Markings, I learned to tell an Apache from an Aztec from a Seneca etc, and took some pride in doing so. That useful little Ian Allan publication had a blank column headed 'where and when seen' - so that's how it started.
I have to agree that I've met some borderline-OCD types while practising the hobby over the last 35 years (including 27 while working in the aircraft industry and 12 as a PPL); I've also met many knowledgable, friendly and fun chaps too. I also agree with Omaha that female participants are very rare - more's the pity - though I've met some very nice ones at Schiphol.
Actually, I've always found that you meet the nicest people around aeroplanes - so who can blame spotters, in their own way, for wanting to be part of the scene? And a spotter's logbook preserves those happy memories of days spent on airfields.
Rhys.
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Ego is a big pilot thing, lets face it, flying takes a lot of confidence and is attractive to type-A personalities. What you experience is often the negative side of that, and hopefully restricted to a few idiots.
However, this hierarchical desire is not only directed at spotters. let me for example suggest that flying a light twin piston, in IMC, single pilot, can be a lot trickier than the big boys, with their stable platform, advanced avionics, autopilots and autothrottles as well as someone else in the cockpit to bounce off of, the cabin crew, engineers loaders, despatchers, schedulers, flight planners etc etc that exist in their team... let me suggest that.... light the blue touch paper...and stand back !!
However, this hierarchical desire is not only directed at spotters. let me for example suggest that flying a light twin piston, in IMC, single pilot, can be a lot trickier than the big boys, with their stable platform, advanced avionics, autopilots and autothrottles as well as someone else in the cockpit to bounce off of, the cabin crew, engineers loaders, despatchers, schedulers, flight planners etc etc that exist in their team... let me suggest that.... light the blue touch paper...and stand back !!
Pilots' Pal
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I have been interested in aviation - particularly vintage aviation - since childhood. I've worked in the industry for 28 years.
Spotting doesn't blow what little hair I have back; that said, it is a harmless hobby so carry on and sod the critics.
I know a few pilots and engineers who are spotters and they appear well balanced (well, almost )
PS - While working at Duxford years ago, I did witness an enthusiast looking at the data plate attached to a Stearman in a hangar - using binoculars!
Spotting doesn't blow what little hair I have back; that said, it is a harmless hobby so carry on and sod the critics.
I know a few pilots and engineers who are spotters and they appear well balanced (well, almost
)PS - While working at Duxford years ago, I did witness an enthusiast looking at the data plate attached to a Stearman in a hangar - using binoculars!
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what really gets to me is, when you go to places like Heathrow,Gatwick or Stansted, non have viewing galleries now, but all along the perimeter fencing are signs aimed at Spotters to report anything suspicious!
On one hand they cant be bothered with us, but on the other, they would like us to help out with there security!
On one hand they cant be bothered with us, but on the other, they would like us to help out with there security!
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I think there's a definite subcategory within the enthusiast's domain. I've always loved flying and aircraft in general, and having got into photography in the last three years, I've upped my exposure to the 'scene' rather alot.
One thing I have realised, is that the majority of spotters just aren't interested in aircraft, at all. It's all about the numbers, and I have to say I can't relate to it at all. Familiarity with registrations is a necessity if you're sharing your work at sites like airliners and jetphotos et al, but outside of that I know few photographers that really take an interest in that side of things.
For me it's all about sight, sound, and smell.
James
One thing I have realised, is that the majority of spotters just aren't interested in aircraft, at all. It's all about the numbers, and I have to say I can't relate to it at all. Familiarity with registrations is a necessity if you're sharing your work at sites like airliners and jetphotos et al, but outside of that I know few photographers that really take an interest in that side of things.
For me it's all about sight, sound, and smell.
James
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I don't hate spotters, seem pretty harmless and looking at planes ain't bad is it? Better than fighting i n pubs ain't it?
Just wish one would take a picture of me landing 26L LGW and post it to me
Just wish one would take a picture of me landing 26L LGW and post it to me
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Vanity, vanity, all is vanity......
And you used to be such a simple creature, happy to merge into the background (all the better to watch the pretty ladies!).
And you used to be such a simple creature, happy to merge into the background (all the better to watch the pretty ladies!).