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A mixture of 'physics and romance' A mixture of 'physics and romance'
(about 7 hours later)
By Mario Cacciottolo BBC NewsBy Mario Cacciottolo BBC News
Troy Kaser is keen on planes, as he demonstrated at Boston airportTroy Kaser is keen on planes, as he demonstrated at Boston airport
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.
It's the same as people collecting stamps - I just collect tail numbers Peter Field, pilot and plane-spotterIt's the same as people collecting stamps - I just collect tail numbers Peter Field, pilot and plane-spotter
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.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.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."I used to work for the Expedia travel company and so I used to travel a great deal.
Seaside spottingSeaside spotting
"I always had an interest in routes and schedules and my interest in aircraft just grew from there.""I always had an interest in routes and schedules and my interest in aircraft just grew from there."
Mr Kaser said his friends have teased him over his ability to identify the Singapore-bound Airbus A380 which flies over Ealing at about noon.Mr Kaser said his friends have teased him over his ability to identify the Singapore-bound Airbus A380 which flies over Ealing at about noon.
He also talks of a friend who had a two-year-old boy who wanted to get out of the house - so he took his baby to Heathrow to look at the planes.He also talks of a friend who had a two-year-old boy who wanted to get out of the house - so he took his baby to Heathrow to look at the planes.
Mr Kaser carries binoculars, a camera, chair and a thermos whenever he heads out to look to the skies, and revealed that his own ideal spotting moment would be actually be a beach holiday in the Caribbean.Mr Kaser carries binoculars, a camera, chair and a thermos whenever he heads out to look to the skies, and revealed that his own ideal spotting moment would be actually be a beach holiday in the Caribbean.
Troy Kaser spotted this Eva Air Cargo plane at HeathrowTroy Kaser spotted this Eva Air Cargo plane at Heathrow
However, this is no ordinary stretch of sand as Maho Beach, on the island of St Martin in the Netherlands Antilles, is so close to the runway to Princess Juliana International Airport that aircraft come in only a few hundred feet overhead. However, this is no ordinary stretch of sand as Maho Beach, on the island of St Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles, is so close to the runway to Princess Juliana International Airport that aircraft come in only a few hundred feet overhead.
And although he says his interest is not as "advanced" as other spotters, he clearly gets enjoyment from watching these machines glide through the heavens.And although he says his interest is not as "advanced" as other spotters, he clearly gets enjoyment from watching these machines glide through the heavens.
"It's very interesting to get much closer to an aircraft than you would just wandering around the streets of London."It's very interesting to get much closer to an aircraft than you would just wandering around the streets of London.
"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."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.
"I like to think about where those passengers have gone or where they might be heading to.""I like to think about where those passengers have gone or where they might be heading to."
Foxtrot Alpha NovemberFoxtrot Alpha November
Peter Field, 33, is a pilot with the bmibaby airline, who flies around the UK and on flights across Europe.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.He is in the enviable position of having combined his passion for plane-spotting with his job.
"I'm spotting every day," he said. "Either through being at work or on my days off I'll go to Heathrow and see them there."I'm spotting every day," he said. "Either through being at work or on my days off I'll go to Heathrow and see them there.
Maho Beach is a paradise for plane spotters and sun worshippers alikeMaho Beach is a paradise for plane spotters and sun worshippers alike
"I was into planes before I became a pilot. There's a good social scene, as you always see the same faces when you go on trips and it's a day out with your mates."I was into planes before I became a pilot. There's a good social scene, as you always see the same faces when you go on trips and it's a day out with your mates.
"It's the same as people collecting stamps - I just collect tail numbers."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."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.
"I do know of other pilots who are into plane spotting, including a captain on long-haul British Airways flights, but they try to keep it quiet.""I do know of other pilots who are into plane spotting, including a captain on long-haul British Airways flights, but they try to keep it quiet."
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.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.
He explains how he had a day off from work - in the aviation industry - and decided to visit the Airbus facility in the city. He has previously been to Spain, Portugal and Malaysia to spot and write about aircraft.He explains how he had a day off from work - in the aviation industry - and decided to visit the Airbus facility in the city. He has previously been to Spain, Portugal and Malaysia to spot and write about aircraft.
"There are different types of spotters," he said. "Some are into military aircraft but my interest is civil aviation."There are different types of spotters," he said. "Some are into military aircraft but my interest is civil aviation.
"I take lots of pictures of planes. But for some, spotting means literally just that - they spot the numbers on the aircraft and just write them down, to confirm that they've seen them.""I take lots of pictures of planes. But for some, spotting means literally just that - they spot the numbers on the aircraft and just write them down, to confirm that they've seen them."