My interest in aviation started when I get started with Flight Simulation, after a while of learning about the different types of aircraft, how they operate and navigate the skies I thought it would add something if I checked out the real thing. Fortunately we live fairly close to an International airport (Exeter EGTE), a smaller but busy airfield with an asphalt landing strip (Dunkeswell EGTU) and an even smaller airfield with a grass landing strip  (Eaglescott EGHU). Fortunately Carol also has some interest in aviation especially in the Red Arrows who base themselves at Exeter when they are flying displays in the South West allowing the opportunity for some good photo's and to meet the pilots when they are taking a break at the Exeter Flying Club. For our wedding anniversary in 2007 Carol & I went to the Yeovilton airday and a few days later had an hours sightseeing around Devon in the Cessna 172R above.

I've invested in an airband scanner which enables me to listen in to the communications between aircraft and control tower whilst I'm at airfields and shows which adds another level of interest on the days I go out to take photo's.

My main area of interest in both the real world and with flight simulating is with General Aviation aircraft, the smaller light aircraft that are mostly flown by private pilots or trainee airline pilots, I find the variations in design and sheer numbers of different airframes a lot more interesting than larger non-descript airliners. I'll admit to harbouring a dream to one day becoming a private pilot and if that dream ever becomes a reality these are the types of aircraft that I'd be flying. Of course the loud brash modern military jets are exciting to watch, I really like the modern Typhoon (Eurofighter) which is incredibly loud and manoeuvrable. Like the Red Arrows a Typhoon often attends displays in the area and will base itself at Exeter airport. Another regular display team to visit Exeter is the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight usually consisting of a Lancaster bomber, a Spitfire and a Hurricane.

You can check out some of my aircraft spotting photos by following the links.