Aircraft spotting

Besides monitoring aircraft, planespotting enthusiasts (who are usually called planespotters) also record information regarding airports, air traffic control communications, airline routes, and more.

With the help of the internet, websites such as FlightAware and Flightradar24 have made it possible for spotters to track and locate specific aircraft from all across the world.

The configuration of the landing gear can be distinctive, as well as the size and shape of the cockpit and passenger windows along with the layout of emergency exits and doors.

[3] Other features include the speed, cockpit placement, colour scheme or special equipment that changes the silhouette of the aircraft.

[5] Some spotters will note and compile the markings, a national insignia or airline livery or logo, a squadron badge or code letters in the case of a military aircraft.

Ancillary activities might include listening-in to air traffic control transmissions (using radio scanners, where that is legal), liaising with other "spotters" to clear up uncertainties as to what aircraft have been seen at specific times or in particular places.

Several internet mailing list groups have been formed to help communicate aircraft seen at airports, queries and anomalies.

[6][7][8] In the wake of the targeting of airports by terrorists, enthusiasts' organisations and police in the UK have cooperated in creating a code of conduct for planespotters, in a similar vein to guidelines devised for train spotters.

[9] Birmingham and Stansted pioneered this approach in Britain and prior to the 2012 London Olympics, RAF Northolt introduced a Flightwatch scheme based on the same cooperative principles.

These changes are also being made abroad in countries such as Australia, where aviation enthusiasts are reporting suspicious or malicious actions to police.

Members are issued identification cards and given training to accurately record and report unusual activities around the airport perimeter.

Meetings are attended and supported by the FBI, Chicago Department of Aviation and the TSA who also provide regular training to group members.

Information on unusual movements of rendition aircraft provided data that was mapped by critical geographers such as Trevor Paglen and the Institute for Applied Autonomy.

A group of spotters at Domodedovo International Airport taking photos of a KrasAir Ilyushin Il-96-300 in 2008.
The high engine position on this USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II is an easily observed distinguishing feature of this aircraft.
Warning sign at Maho Beach for runway 10 approach to Princess Juliana International Airport . Numerous observers have been injured or even killed after being blown into solid objects by jet blast following attempts at 'riding' the airport fence.
Spotters and photographers enjoy seeing aircraft in special colour schemes, like this Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-400 .
Spotters photographing an Emirates Airbus A380 on descent to Toronto Pearson International Airport (March 2014).
A Qantas Boeing 747-400 flying over Starbeyevo, Moscow at an altitude of about 36,089 feet (11,000 m). The photographer used a 1,200 mm (47 in) telescope and 2x Barlow lens in order to take this photo from the ground.
Major international airports like Tokyo Narita are an opportunity for planespotters to spot a variety of airlines and aircraft models