Aircraft reg's. Why do you collect them??

[Mike]

Agreed the loses section is well researched and presented. There's a few lost friends in there though

Yup,very sad isn't it.

[Mike]

Going back to Pete's original question,the answer is "because we're all barking mad".

[HighlandSniper]

That's the truest thing I've ever seen posted on FC - well done Mike

[Mike]

It only took 104 posts !

[RichC]

Agree with you, but twerp and geek/sap cannot be put in the same category of what we are talking about here!
One is an insult and the other is a way of life for you geeks (including me obviously)
Unless of course someone don't get outdoors and does both all day / night

[PeteHemsley]

I'm the same. I always had a love for aircraft, but mine went a little deeper than just watching them and looking at regs. I used to bug the hell out of my late father with questions on how they fly, how the engines work etc. Now I'm an aircraft mechanic, i have the answers to all my questions I had 15 years ago. Most aircraft engineers don't even have an interest in the aircraft they are working on and often take the Micky out of myself and another lad I work with, just because we like aircraft. What's the point in working in a job you have no interest in??

Anyway. We all do these things as a hobby, purely interest. If we didn't do this then we'd all probably in the local con club for opening until closing wasting all our time (and money) on pointless alchohol.

Pete

[urkles]

In my experience on the aircraft engineering side of things, my fellow mechanics find it hard to understand spotting ( and completely baffled by people who get excited by radio callsigns ) but I would never say they dont have an interest in planes. They are interested in how it works and how to make it work and get satisfaction from seeing it fly, to say they are not interested because dont show the same enthusiasm in the non-engineering side of aviation is, frankly, insulting to hard working friends of mine.

Maybe im reading the e mails wrong, but there seems to be a certain elitism and 'mightier than though' attitude from yourself and Rich C, but hey, its only banter!

[PeteHemsley]

Urkles.

Trust me mate, some of the lads have an extremely vast knowledge of aircraft and that knowledge never fades, but they really have no interest in aircraft.

I don't have the equipment that you guys have to listen to comms so I tend to just use the VHF and hf systems on our aircraft for 5 or 10 minutes here and there, I find it all interesting

[urkles]

Urkles.

Trust me mate, some of the lads have an extremely vast knowledge of aircraft and that knowledge never fades, but they really have no interest in aircraft.

I don't have the equipment that you guys have to listen to comms so I tend to just use the VHF and hf systems on our aircraft for 5 or 10 minutes here and there, I find it all interesting

Thanks for the reply Pete, I think there is a mis-understanding here, because I feel to have a great vast knowledge of a subject you must be interested in it?

[RichC]

My enjoyment was not hindered by having to use a camera, scanner, pen/notepad, etc. I don't know the aircraft serial numbers, their call signs, or what the pilots had for breakfast but, I bet I enjoyed it more than some of you who do.

But isn't that why i stated several posts ago that i sometimes just like to sit and watch what is going on rather than looking through an eye piece to try and catch it on camera or listen to the scanner?
Although i can sit and watch the action whilst listening to the scanner and know whats going on at the same time.

I love to sit and watch without writing stuff down or taking photos. If you don't, you miss things and you miss the enjoyment out of the actual "Aviation" side of the hobby.

I'm going to do spotting next year (my new years resolution)

[urkles]

And your my friend too but I have to agree with your last post, it was something I noticed myself when I went digital, suddenly all photos were free! So I was looking at planes through a lens and never just enjoying the planes in they're element. Its something I have changed, and one reason I always go to Waddington airshow for instance; as a spotter there is little there but as a place to relax and enjoy the show its great. But as this post has developed, one thing has become clear, everyone does this hobby different and as long as you feel satisfied and happy at the end of day, do what you like! If someone doesnt understand it, that is there problem and not yours

[Arthur Tee]

My enjoyment was not hindered by having to use a camera, scanner, pen/notepad, etc. I don't know the aircraft serial numbers, their call signs, or what the pilots had for breakfast but, I bet I enjoyed it more than some of you who do.

But isn't that why i stated several posts ago that i sometimes just like to sit and watch what is going on rather than looking through an eye piece to try and catch it on camera or listen to the scanner?
Although i can sit and watch the action whilst listening to the scanner and know whats going on at the same time.

I love to sit and watch without writing stuff down or taking photos. If you don't, you miss things and you miss the enjoyment out of the actual "Aviation" side of the hobby.

I'm going to do spotting next year (my new years resolution)

I have to agree with this sentiment. I take numbers and photos - and whilst I miss the masses of aircraft that could be seen at IAT's in the past - I was often still dashing around at three in the afternoon - still searching for one elusive aircraft (and number) from the checklist.

Now there is much less to be seen. I've scribbled all my numbers down by eleven - and consequently have four more hours of airshow to sit back and enjoy!

[das]

example:

I pull up at RAF Coningsby, grey, wet, miserable day. Ramp lined with Typhoons, but all got covers on, no sign of life! I read of the serials, maybe take a few knaff pics through the fence and depart with something!

Photographer pulls up at RAF Coningsby, grey, wet, miserable day. Ramp lined with Typhoons, but all got covers on, no sign of life! The artistic shot is a no-no, He leaves.....

An airband enthusiast pulls up at RAF Coningsby, grey, wet, miserable day. Ramp lined with Typhoons, but all got covers on, no sign of life! Maybe sit and wait and hope for some movements..... He Leaves.......

I collect serials 1st, I like to phot what I can as well, I enjoy listening to the scanner (but it is mainly a tool to help me), I use SBS + Planeplotter, again to help me! I suspect that most of us started with the numbers game, but as we got into the hobby we thought more about getting pictures and later video to preserve the memories! I personally think that without a reg/serial, whats the point? Each airframe is as individual as me or you!

Ray

[Chef_uk]

Says the man with a "Veg growing blog"!

Hehe, my wife keeps moaning she's married an old man

[RichC]

I was "watching" a Forward Operating Location with 20 helicopters in action once. Two lorries came up together and i just knew they would say something cause they were laughing further up the road when stationary.
The first lorry, window opened "SPOTTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Second lorry, window opened "SAD Tw*ts!".

They had military CS95's on (army).
Yet a friend of mine in the Army is equally interested in aviation and military armour as i am, going to airshows, demos and even buying his own scanner and camera now, which he uses in his place at Colchester.

There are "lots" of military service personnel interested in the hobby from pilots to administration people but i'm sure if they get stick at work or not.

[Al dunn]

I am in the forces. And was spotting well before I joined up. I get the p**s taken out of me sometimes, I just take it as a bit of banter. I know were i would rather spend my sat/sun and its definately not in a pub. I enjoy taking my boys out and them learning about the things i enjoy. My oldest is now into following Oxford United so i spend alot of time with him there but they always ask me when are we going next. Or even if i am in the house or garden shed and they see or hear something they will shout for me to let me know. I wouldnt change my hobby for the world its something I love and enjoy.

Alan
RAF Brize Norton

[POL]

As an aside, where do "simmers" come in to the equation?

*Dons tin hat*