A mixture of 'physics and romance' for plane-spotters

For most of us an aeroplane is a mere means of transportation, a prosaic and functional method by which we can travel around the world in a matter of hours.
But for some, planes are a source of magic and wonder, a fascinating beast conveniently supplied with serial numbers and a traceable history just dying to be logged and discussed among like-minded folk.
And so there is a breed of aeroplane enthusiast, who stands out for long hours in all weathers at the edge of airports and in line with screaming flight paths, hoping that a certain type of aircraft will thunder overhead, allowing another mechanical beast to be added to their collection of visual contacts.
People have been looking up planes for a long time, of course, but plane spotters are once again back in the news after Stephen Hampton and Steven Ayres, from Bristol, were charged with intercepting communications in India.
They have been released on bail and have had their court case adjourned until 3 March.
And 12 plane-spotters from the UK were among a group of 14 who were arrested in Greece in 2002 and charged with spying, but were later acquitted.
Troy Kaser is a 34-year-old plane-spotter who gives extensive mention on his personal blog about a day spent at Heathrow Airport looking at aircraft coming in to land.
Originally from Florida, he has been living in Ealing, London, for more than three years, and said his interest in spotting planes stemmed from his previous job.
"I used to work for the Expedia travel company and so I used to travel a great deal.
"You get to see the minute adjustments a pilot makes as he's coming into land. And there's a mystery of the physics of aircraft, combined with the romance of travel.
Peter Field, 33, is a pilot with the bmibaby airline, who flies around the UK and on flights across Europe.
He is in the enviable position of having combined his passion for plane-spotting with his job.
"It's the same as people collecting stamps - I just collect tail numbers.
"The equipment I carry is getting heavier. I've got a telescope - which raises eyebrows when you get it out in the middle of Chicago airport. I also have binoculars, a laptop for the tailfin database, a book and pen and a camera with lenses.
Levent Bergkotte is a 33-year-old Dutchman who lives in Geneva but is on a day trip to Toulouse in France when he agrees to be interviewed, spelling his name using the phonetic alphabet in the manner of any good plane enthusiast.
"There are different types of spotters," he said. "Some are into military aircraft but my interest is civil aviation.
24/02/10 Mario Cacciottolo/BBC News

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Feb 2010, Foreign Feb 2010