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The more enthusiastic hobbyists might travel great distances in order to see particularly unusual aircraft, or even the remains of aircraft withdrawn from use. Some such "wrecks and relics" may eventually be placed in the care of museums - or perhaps be canibalised in order to repair a similar aircraft already preserved. Some spotters may go on to work in the aviation industry or air traffic control service. During the Cold war some countries encouraged their populations to become "plane spotters" in an "observation corps" or similar public body for reasons of public security. Some spotters are quite competitive and may get a thrill from seeing, in due course, all the planes of a particular type ever built (or extant at that date). Spotters are generally well-aware of the hazards facing aviators and will stay alert when near active aerodromes, taking care not to interfere with aircraft or cause anxiety to their owners or users. Many airfields in Europe and north America recognise the public's interest in aviation as something to be encouraged and provide viewing areas in safe locations. Many organised airshows draw great crowds and some raise funds for charitable causes such as museum?s, organisations restoring historic planes or bodies that assist injured aircrew or the dependents of armed forces' personnel. Some shows have a more commercial motive, and some aircraft photographers can make a profit from their onetime hobby. The world wide web has provided a new outlet for some of their photographs and assists all spotters in letting each other know what is flying where. |
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The more enthusiastic hobbyists might travel great distances in order to see particularly unusual aircraft, or even the remains of aircraft withdrawn from use. Some such "wrecks and relics" may eventually be placed in the care of museums - or perhaps be canibalised in order to repair a similar aircraft already preserved. Some spotters may go on to work in the aviation industry or air traffic control service. During the Cold war some countries encouraged their populations to become "plane spotters" in an "observation corps" or similar public body for reasons of public security. Some spotters are quite competitive and may get a thrill from seeing, in due course, all the planes of a particular type ever built (or extant at that date). Spotters are generally well-aware of the hazards facing aviators and will stay alert when near active aerodromes, taking care not to interfere with aircraft or cause anxiety to their owners or users. Many airfields in Australasia, Europe and north America recognise the public's interest in aviation as something to be encouraged and provide viewing areas in safe locations. Many organised airshows draw large crowds and some raise funds for charitable causes such as museum?s, organisations restoring historic planes or bodies that assist injured aircrew or the dependents of Armed Forces' personnel. Some shows have a more commercial motive, and some aircraft photographers can make a profit from their onetime hobby. The World Wide Web has provided a new outlet for some of their photographs and assists all spotters in letting each other know what is flying where. |
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Aircraft spotting is not, however, recommended as a hobby in Greece where the authorities are perhaps overly vigilant in their attitude to photography on airbases. This resulted in an international dispute in the last quarter of 2001 between the United Kingdom and Greece after the arrest of 12 Dutch & British plane spotters, who had been invited to an airshow, for allegedly spying. This dispute is still ongoing and the arrested 12 remain in detention. |
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Aircraft spotting is not, however, recognised as a legitimate hobby in Greece where the authorities remain concerned about note-taking and photography on or near airfields. This attitude resulted in an international dispute late in 2001 between the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Greece following the arrest of 2 Dutch and 12 British plane spotters travelling together, who had been invited to Kalamata's Open Day, initially on spying charges. After they had spent over a month in prison, three judges sitting as a Panel in Kalamata reduced the charge on 12th December to "accessing national secrets" and on payment of bail the 14 spotters were freed. Trials can be expected during 2002. |
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