Planespotting documentary interview opportunities

[JLewis_Aviation]

Hi all, hope this is the right place to post this. I am currently working on a documentary for my course at college looking into plane spotting, I was wondering if anybody would be kind enough to take part in an interview. I will be at Mildenhall and Lakenheath on Monday the 11th of April. If anybody would like to take part in this pm me or drop me an email at joseph.lewishw@gmail.com

Kind Regards
Joe Lewis

[Mike]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters', I know that I do, I'm an 'aviation enthusiast' and have been for over 5 decades.

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches, wear a baseball cap with a USN patch on the front, have a scanner in a breast pocket with an ear-piece, have a face covered in zits and is generally a bit whiffy, has an enormous camera bag covered in squadron stickers and has a multitude of enormous white lenses?

If so, I'll drop him a PM right now!

[Bluetail]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters', I know that I do, I'm an 'aviation enthusiast' and have been for over 5 decades.

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches, wear a baseball cap with a USN patch on the front, have a scanner in a breast pocket with an ear-piece, have a face covered in zits and is generally a bit whiffy, has an enormous camera bag covered in squadron stickers and has a multitude of enormous white lenses?

If so, I'll drop him a PM right now!

Absolute Class

[d555]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters', I know that I do, I'm an 'aviation enthusiast' and have been for over 5 decades.

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches, wear a baseball cap with a USN patch on the front, have a scanner in a breast pocket with an ear-piece, have a face covered in zits and is generally a bit whiffy, has an enormous camera bag covered in squadron stickers and has a multitude of enormous white lenses?

If so, I'll drop him a PM right now!

I think you'll be spoilt for choice!

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Omg the rudeness of some people on here at times is shocking, All this person has done is ask a simple question and he got the 3rd degree answer.

Yes to 99% of people on here we are aviation enthusiasts but to people who are not we are plane spotters, Same as a train enthusiast they get called train spotters by people who are not enthusiasts of trains.

[paddyboy]

Glad to see you’re not letting your standards drop, Mike

[iainpeden]

Joe, having been an aircraft spotter for about 60 years I would be happy to answer any questions. Feel free to pm me a list.

[cat1]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters'

[Supra]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters', I know that I do, I'm an 'aviation enthusiast' and have been for over 5 decades.

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches, wear a baseball cap with a USN patch on the front, have a scanner in a breast pocket with an ear-piece, have a face covered in zits and is generally a bit whiffy, has an enormous camera bag covered in squadron stickers and has a multitude of enormous white lenses?

If so, I'll drop him a PM right now!

Morning Mike,
Have we met before? Your description is too accurate not to have done so in the past! In my defence, there are many iterations of me but I do my best to stand-out from the masses of lookalikes by generating a unique personal aura (aka 'Scent') I have found that most all Countries outside the UK. have adopted the irksome descriptive title of 'Spotter' for all their 'Enthusiasts' events. Who am I to buck the stereotype?
PS:- My industrial bucket of Clearasil face-wash is working fine!

[Johno]

Welcome to the friendly forum Joe :-)

[Johno]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters', I know that I do, I'm an 'aviation enthusiast' and have been for over 5 decades.

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches, wear a baseball cap with a USN patch on the front, have a scanner in a breast pocket with an ear-piece, have a face covered in zits and is generally a bit whiffy, has an enormous camera bag covered in squadron stickers and has a multitude of enormous white lenses?

If so, I'll drop him a PM right now!

Absolute Class

No it isn't, it's rude, I am also an aviation enthusiast of 5 decades, but know how to respectfully answer and correct people.

[baz1]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters', I know that I do, I'm an 'aviation enthusiast' and have been for over 5 decades.

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches, wear a baseball cap with a USN patch on the front, have a scanner in a breast pocket with an ear-piece, have a face covered in zits and is generally a bit whiffy, has an enormous camera bag covered in squadron stickers and has a multitude of enormous white lenses?

If so, I'll drop him a PM right now!

Absolute Class

No it isn't, it's rude, I am also an aviation enthusiast of 5 decades, but know how to respectfully answer and correct people.

and well said that man.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

I reckon that about 99% of FC members absolutely detest being classed as 'plane spotters', I know that I do, I'm an 'aviation enthusiast' and have been for over 5 decades.

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches, wear a baseball cap with a USN patch on the front, have a scanner in a breast pocket with an ear-piece, have a face covered in zits and is generally a bit whiffy, has an enormous camera bag covered in squadron stickers and has a multitude of enormous white lenses?

If so, I'll drop him a PM right now!

Absolute Class

No it isn't, it's rude, I am also an aviation enthusiast of 5 decades, but know how to respectfully answer and correct people.

Now this is absolutely class well said Johno

[captain scarlet]

I think real spotters use their old red Adidas school bag from the sixth form, have a notebook and pen ready plus wear sports direct's latest line in 2 for 1 specials . . . . just like me!

No matter what people like to call themselves, I'm still a spotter but with a camera and a scanner now.

[cat1]

Absolute Class

No it isn't, it's rude, I am also an aviation enthusiast of 5 decades, but know how to respectfully answer and correct people.

Now this is absolutely class well said Johno

ohh plot twist.....

[paddyboy]

I suspect some have not grasped Mike’s sense of sarcasm and honest humour

[C24]

.

Don't be disheartened Joe. If the comment above is accurate (& the author is seldom wrong) there is a bunch of 129 FCers for you to use.

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[andygolfer]

Does the successful applicant for the interview need to wear a camouflaged jacket covered with aviation patches,

In my day or at least when I started, it was a duffle coat with the wooden ties and metal aircraft badges (used to buy those at the shop on the Queens building LHR).

Being serious for a moment, nowadays (to me at least but I had this conversation with the planewatch police when we had one of our meetings with them) there is a big difference between spotters and enthusiasts and also photographers. We were discussing viewing locations and explained that these different groups have different requirements,
spotters (who I and others in our liasion group) are the number bashers need a location where they can see as much as possible in all directions regardless of the location of the sun
photographers (me!) have this manic desire to have the sun on our backs and aircraft within range of our biggest lenses without heat haze spoiling our efforts
and enthusiasts want the best of both of the above but are probably a bit more flexible as they to have an all round interest.
You may wish to consider that in your work James.

Also another technological idea - during lockdown I did virtual meetings for the Air-Britain Stansted branch where I prepared video shows on various topics which as well as me narrating the things I sometimes had other persons doing some talking or two way interviews - one way I did that was to record the conversations on a phone, fairly easy to do and might widen your options a bit James - good luck with the project
Andy

[Vulture 01]

I think a lot will depend on how the interviewer frames the questions. Sometimes we enthusiasts are deliberately set up as figures of fun for the audience. Whilst I appreciate the offer, and applaud the original poster for the offer, I'd run 100 miles way from a camera and microphone!

As a very old git (70+ a bit) the way some of our colleagues answered what appears to be a genuine request for help was not very helpful. It may help to reinforce the stereotype 'outsiders' have of the enthusiast fraternity. Just my personal view, please feel free to differ.

[Osprey555]

I think a lot will depend on how the interviewer frames the questions. Sometimes we enthusiasts are deliberately set up as figures of fun for the audience.

I'm sure Joe will frame the questions nicely as I know he is an avid spotter/enthusiast/photographer himself