Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Overhead Spotting

  1. #1
    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Queens, NY
    Posts
    12,470

    Overhead Spotting

    A few months ago I bought a pair of binoculars at B&H for a good deal, and I keep them in the car.

    While spotting lately I've been keeping them over my shoulder with my camera as well so I can view aircraft passing high overhead. The binocs let you see these aircraft much eaier and clear than a 400mm camera lens, allowing you to identify and enjoy the plane more.

    It's added yet another level of enjoying aircraft, especially at an airport that has a lot of traffic that you're used to. You can see international or military traffic from many other airports heading to or from Europe. Stuff like BMI A330s, C-17s and Air Transat are some that I've seen while spotting at LGA...which is an added twist when LGA gets slow.

    Anyone else do this?
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Oceanside
    Posts
    2,849

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    Yup, I do it.

    Recently I have spotted a US Airways a330, a couple of Air Transat and some other stuff
    It's hard to take chances but sometimes it's better if you do

    http://www.southpawcaptures.com
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/southpawcaptures/
    On Twitter @southpawcapture

  3. #3
    Senior Member NIKV69's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    IFP, ISP, JFK, IGM, SAN, VCV, LGA, LAX, SEE, LAS
    Posts
    4,258

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    Your just realizing this now Phil? :mrgreen:
    'My idea of a good picture is one that's in focus and of a famous person doing something unfamous.' Andy Warhol

  4. #4
    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Queens, NY
    Posts
    12,470

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    I'm just paying closer attention on a more regular basis. The binoculars make a huge difference.
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    2.2NM from I-GDI
    Posts
    138

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    During the morning you can spot tons of Southwest flying Northeast to Southwest (duh!), C-17s and also South America/Caribbean flights from Toronto.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Tom_Turner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    2,193

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    Yeah, binoculars are the way to go.

    Spotted an Air Transat Tri-Star a few years back with Senga and Art Brett and another time in Manhattan was surprised to spy a MyTravel 757.

    Always hoped to see a B-52.

    Tom
    "Keep 'em Flying"

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    1,028

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    I do this all the time. On a clear day you can say a lot of traffic inbound to Boston, and many of the transatlantic flights outbound of IAD, and ATL-depending on the winds. I have also seen some stuff into YYZ, and YUL. It definitely is an added bonus, to the great traffic we get in NYC.

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    85

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    I do this all the time! Mostly LGA departures flying overhead

  9. #9
    Senior Member lijk604's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    4 air miles SE of ISP.
    Posts
    4,143

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    I do this a lot from my backyard, will have to bring out to spotting locations now.
    I've seen AN124's travelling southbound and C5's going to McGuire. Usually when I'm just hanging in the backyard I have the scanner on BOS Center 135.8, so I can id what's travelling above me.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Gerard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Long Island
    Posts
    4,851

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    I love spotting in my backyard. (I actually started a similar thread some years back on this board :) )
    Nothing like chilling out with a cold one and the binocs and watching departs from JFK, 22 arrivals where
    many times I dont even need binocs :D and FRG traffic.
    One of my favorite moments was the days after 9/11 and on my deck when I saw a military plane high above me but something looked different. Grabbed my binocs and saw it was a tanker plane doing a mid-air
    refueling of a fighter!!!!!! :D :D

  11. #11
    Moderator USAF Pilot 07's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    1,669

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    Quote Originally Posted by Phil D.
    Stuff like BMI A330s, C-17s and Air Transat are some that I've seen while spotting at LGA...which is an added twist when LGA gets slow.
    You can lock on those C-17s for a while doing the incredible speed of .74 mach! :lol:

    Sorry, probably more of an inside joke... Overhead spotting can be cool. There is a lot of stuff that flies over, and goes on above much of this area!

  12. #12
    Senior Member Nick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Long Island NY
    Posts
    547

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    I love seeing the big wide vapor trails of a 747 or similar multi engine jet approaching from afar. Overseas the skies were filled with race track shaped trails from acft participating in some AR.

  13. #13
    Senior Member 727C47's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    DTW,YIP,JFK,EWR,SMQ,
    Posts
    808

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    best catch was years ago,from the empire state building no less,one of BN's all orange 747s pulling a contrail europe bound.
    The beehive hummm of the JT9D and GE CF680C2,the thunder of the JT8D-17,the rumble of the PW1830 and the high ,thin whine of the PW 545A are all music to my ears!

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    8,285

    Re: Overhead Spotting

    When I was a kid I use to take my father's binoculars climb up on the roof of his shed and spot the Trans Atlantic flights passing over inbound to JFK and noted down the airline and type. Only a couple years ago I found that note pad and was amazed at the types and airlines back 20 plus years ago...

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •