🛫 How to Get Into Planespotting: A Beginner’s Guide

Beginner Guide
Written By Adam Withington

Planespotting is more than just watching aircraft take off and land — it’s a hobby that blends photography, travel, and a passion for aviation. Around the world, thousands of enthusiasts gather at airports, airshows, and along flight paths to record what they see. Some chase rare aircraft, some capture the perfect photo, and others simply enjoy being part of the community.

The best part? Anyone can start planespotting. You don’t need expensive gear or years of experience — just a bit of curiosity and the right tools to log your sightings. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to get into plane spotting, from equipment and locations to spotting etiquette and how Have I Seen It can help you track every aircraft you’ve seen.

 
Planespotter looking for next sighting

✈️ What Is Plane Spotting?

At its core, plane spotting is about observing, identifying, and recording aircraft. Spotters note down registration numbers, aircraft types, and airlines, often using photos or apps to build their collections.

For some, it’s about logging as many unique aircraft as possible; for others, it’s about catching rare liveries or photographing aircraft in the perfect light. It’s also a social hobby — you’ll often find groups of spotters sharing tips, chatting about arrivals, or comparing their logs.

Planespotting is welcoming to all ages and experience levels. Whether you’re a parent with kids at an airport viewing park or a seasoned photographer chasing rare cargo jets, there’s a place for you in the community.

 

📸 Essential Equipment for Beginners

One of the biggest myths about planespotting is that you need expensive cameras or specialist kit. The truth is, you can get started with almost nothing. Here’s what’s useful:

  • 👀 Eyes & a notebook — the absolute basics. You can record registrations and airlines by hand.

  • 📱 Smartphone — for quick snaps, checking live flight data, and logging sightings directly into Have I Seen It.

  • 🔭 Binoculars — useful for reading registrations at a distance.

  • 📸 Camera (optional) — if you want to take photography seriously, a DSLR or mirrorless with a telephoto zoom (100–400mm is popular) will help.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it when starting out. Many spotters spend their first sessions just observing and enjoying the experience.

 
Image of aircraft parked at the airport.

🗺️ Where to Go Planespotting

Your nearest airport is the best place to begin. Most airports have designated viewing areas, perimeter roads, or parks where spotting is encouraged.

  • Manchester Airport (UK): The Runway Visitor Park is famous for its Concorde hangar and clear views of the runways.

  • Heathrow (UK): Myrtle Avenue is legendary for low A380 approaches.

  • Schiphol (Netherlands): Dedicated spotting terraces make it one of the most spotter-friendly airports in Europe.

Don’t forget airshows either. Events like the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) or Farnborough showcase military and rare aircraft you won’t see on a normal day at the airport.

👉 Pro Tip: Always respect fences and airport rules — safety comes first.

 

🌅 When Is the Best Time to Spot?

  • Morning or evening: The light is softer, making photos more dramatic.

  • Busy travel days: Weekends and holidays often see unusual flights and charters.

  • Scheduled highlights: Check when big jets arrive. For example, Emirates A380s, TUI Dreamliners, or special cargo flights can usually be predicted with Have I Seen It.

Many spotters build routines around certain times of day — golden hour departures are a favourite for photographers.

 

🔎 How to Identify Aircraft

At first, planes may all look the same. But with practice, you’ll learn to spot key differences:

  • Size and shape: Widebodies (like the A350 or 777) look very different from narrowbodies (like the A320 or 737).

  • Engines: Placement and number are big clues.

  • Tail fins and wings: Distinctive airline liveries and wing designs stand out.

  • Registrations: Every plane has a unique code painted on it.

Need help? The sightings on Have I Seen It is the perfect reference tool to confirm what you’ve seen.

 
Planespotters taking pictures of planes

👥 Join the Community

Planespotting is best when shared. Many spotters connect through:

  • Local groups — often organised via Facebook, Discord, or forums.

  • Airport meetups — Runway Visitor Parks are popular for families and enthusiasts alike.

  • Have I Seen It — the online hub where you can log sightings, compare with friends, and climb the leaderboard.

Spotting isn’t just about aircraft — it’s about people too. Sharing tips and photos makes the experience even better.

 
Plane landing on the runway

✅ Spotter’s Etiquette

Like any hobby, planespotting has a few unwritten rules:

  • Respect fences, signs, and airport security.

  • Don’t block roads or obstruct emergency access.

  • Be friendly — most spotters are happy to help newcomers.

  • Share information, but don’t be reckless (e.g., don’t encourage trespassing).

Good etiquette keeps the community safe and respected by airports.

 

🚀 Ready to Start Spotting?

Planespotting is a hobby you can start today — no expensive kit, no special training, just curiosity and a love for aviation. From your first sighting to logging hundreds of aircraft, every spot is a story to tell.

With Have I Seen It, you can track arrivals, log your sightings, tick aircraft off your list, and join a growing community of aviation enthusiasts.

👉 Don’t just watch planes — record them. Get started with Have I Seen It today.

Adam Withington