Their passion is tracing aircraft across the globe. To do this, they’ve created a network of aviation enthusiasts all over the world whose primary function is to photograph and record the tail numbers of aircraft for communal usage. Pictures are posted online where any number of aircraft aficionados can trace the path of a certain aircraft from one destination to another. For some this activity is a hobby; for others it’s a way of life; but for all the men and women who partake in this adrenaline-pumping pastime it is the pursuit that has earned them the title of “plane-spotters.” Aircraft-spotters or plane-spotters – as they are most commonly referred to – are those individuals who enjoy watching and taking pictures of aircraft arriving and departing, recording their tail numbers, looking up their flight-histories and sharing all of this information with their fellow aviation enthusiasts across the world-wide-web. For these individuals, the rush of spotting a plane is so intense that it requires the attention of not just one individual, but that of an entire multitude. Phil Hyde, one of the founding members of the local plane-spotters, web-based association called HoustonSpotters, says the primary objective of his group and many others like it all over the world is to educate the general public about the aviation industry. “Our members are from all walks of life,” he said. “Some are pilots, (some are) in the information technology industry, (some are) police officers, and some even work for an airline or the airport itself.” In Houston, the diversity of airports and aircraft within the local region has made the city a must-stop-destination for plane-spotters far and wide. The Houston Airport System oversees the city’s three primary airports – George Bush Intercontinental, William P. Hobby and Ellington Field – and is the sixth largest airport system in the world. Last year, its three airports combined served more than 48 million passengers and moved more than 347,000 metric tons of air cargo. “Houston is the largest metropolitan area in southeast Texas,” Hyde noted. “It offers three airports to spot from, as well as a multitude of general aviation (activity).”

© HoustonSpotters Plane-spotters in Houston say the city's diversity in aircraft and airports make it one of the most attractive locations for this type of activity. "it's just 'plane' fun," they say

And aviation aficionados from every geographic corner of the world have gotten an eyeful from the diversity of aircraft flying through Houston’s airports.

At the joint-use civil military airport, Ellington Field, for example, spotters have had the opportunity to photograph aircraft like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hurricane plane, Air National Guard F-16 fighter jets, the United States Air Force’s Thunderbirds, and a host of other airplanes.

Over at Hobby and Bush Intercontinental airports the diversity of commercial and cargo aircrafts is such that it’s enough to send a spotter into nirvana.

“It’s exciting because sometimes you never know what you will see,” Hyde said.

With 79 current members, HoustonSpotters was first-founded in 1998 as a small organization which communicated primarily via e-newsletters. The rapid growth of the group, however, prompted the organization to establish a more developed website presence – hence the birth of the website houstonspotters.net.

Today, members of HoustonSpotters can post photos, share discussions on the website and even learn where the best places to spot at Houston’s airports are located. The growth in membership, however, is not exclusive to the local group.

Last year, the global aviation industry earned a profit of $4.3 billion, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). With such a substantial profit margin the industry has also fueled the expansion of plane-spotting into a multi-billion dollar business.

Fanatics buy books to learn more about aviation or air band scanners that allow them to listen to the pilots communicate with traffic control. There are even internet pod casts, where a spotter records their voice while they describe what type of planes they are spotting; they then upload their “mini show” on the web for others to download and listen to. All these products and more mean additional revenue for the industry.

On a global scale, Manchester has become a mecca of sorts for plane-spotters. Manchester Airport, located in that city, is the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom. Manchester is also home to the international plane-spotters organization called The Aviation Society (TAS). This organization counts with a membership of over 1,600 individuals.

“We have many members worldwide,” said Steve Robson, one of the committee members of TAS and a fervent plane-spotter himself. “In the U.K., the Aviation Viewing Park at Manchester International Airport is the premier site (for plane-spotters). On display are several aircraft, including a retired British Airway Concorde.”

The Concorde fleets were specially designed aircraft that were the most powerful jet engines that flew commercially. These aircraft were retired in several airports across the world. Like the Concorde, Robson pointed out, plane-spotters are a special breed of individuals who see the act of flying as much more than a mundane mode of transportation.

“I have been plane spotting for most of the 58 years of my life,” he added. “I have a passion for aviation and flying, the hobby became my drive and motivation to work in aviation.”

While there is no exact date of origin for the act of plane-spotting, many trace its roots back to World War II. During this time of international conflict several countries encouraged their citizens to identify and report enemy aircraft flying over their respective skies.

Since then, this activity has turned into much more of a recreational activity. But whatever the reason for an individual to want to become a plane-spotter, members of HoustonSpotters note that Houston is one of the best locations to track and trace aircraft from all over the world.

They also note that pilots don’t seem to mind having their picture taken either.

“We always smile and wave at the pilots. From what we’ve heard they like it,” Hyde said. “This is something we are very appreciative of. This hobby is just ‘plane’ fun.”

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