Planespotting - Part 1 - Lambert
What is Planespotting?
It's like trainspotting without the drugs. But seriously, there's a lot to it. Basically, it is anything to do with the tracking/viewing/photography of aircraft. You can read more on it here.
My background with planespotting
My first memory of it goes back to childhood when Grandpa Joe took me to see planes at Lambert. I'm guessing I was around 8yo. Back then there was a small lot that was under the flight path.
In recent years I've leveled up quite a bit. Both on photography and technology. This post will share more on the obsession.
If you've ever been outside with me, you've no doubt witnessed me pull out the phone to see what’s overhead (using FlightRadar24). The new iPhone action button makes that even easier.
And now our dog is trained for it too, and he’s particularly tuned in to fighter jets. He hears them about 5 seconds before I do, so he’s become my early warning system.
Today's Viewing Spots at Lambert
Today, there are no official public viewing post on the field. The main reason is probably just a lack of space/location. As the airport has modernized, those little lots got swallowed up. Boeing security concerns seem to play a part as well. The cell phone lots aren't bad, but not officially sanctioned. Security might ask you to leave if you aren't waiting for a passenger inbound. (I've taken pics from there a dozen times with no problem).
The regular planespotters have strategies to get our shots. These strategies aren't exactly sanctioned either, but so far they've let us get away with it.
Some of My Favorite "Spots" at Lambert
Antonov An-124
With my wingman, Joe.
Joe's view. Unedited. The jet wash after this massive aircraft was intense.
First Lufthansa Arrival into STL - with Iva and Dusan on board!
We were featured in a NPR article!
Eric Schmid
Lufthansa A340
The Airbus A340 is probably my favorite commercial aircraft. It’s a bit of an anomaly in the timeline of commercial aviation development. Underpowered engines, sprawling wings, odd landing gear, and a long takeoff roll that would make anyone’s butt cheeks clinch. When it takes off at Lambert it needs almost 80% of the big runway to get airborne.
Boeing 777X - test aircraft
It arrived straight from the Paris Air Show. And my tweet of the arrival had the most views I’ve ever gotten on Twitter.
Boeing 777X direct from Paris Air Show.
Mom and Dad over Ballwin heading to Vegas
This was just last week. 2 of my favorite people waving out the window!
Thanks for reading!