Plane Spotters at Sydney - Join In!

[Robbie W]

Will the Airport Watch membership program disadvantage infrequent or one-time spotters?

Aviation enthusiasts specialize in photography of aircraft, but photography enthusiasts photograph everything.

Is it practical or reasonable for someone to apply for membership before even heading to the airport for some spotting or photography, such as random passers-by who stop to view or photograph events such as the A380 when it first flew in, or a 787 when it commences?

Frequent spotters are known anyway, and are easily identified. The one-off 'randoms' are the ones who are not known and are the ones least likely to have Airport Watch ID.

[Jacques Brunelle]

No, there are no disadvantaged spotters, part-time or otherwise. The rare visitor is still welcomed as usual. Not much in the way of changes here after Airport Watch except that the airport has eyes and ears outside the fence and there are advantages to being in the AW programme. Whatever your airport's status quo is, it will remain after AW has begun. Why would it change unless you're in a country that forbides such photography long before Airport Watch comes on the scene? If your airport encourages such photography then you are doing well.

In my experiences with Airport Watch (AW) in North America (I am in Ottawa and about 10 major airports here are in the programme) over the past 10 years, this is a win-win-win situation. For more info go to my blog on item #58 I think it is. There are websites indicated there that shows how this works. Airport Watch in Britain (LHR) and in France (CDG) are different still.

There has also been some consternation about fees. From what I have seen, if there are any fees, it has been for the spotter's part of AW for local admin expenses to organise the spotters amongst themselves. I have never seen a fee charged to be an AW spotter by an authority. That would be against the principles of the program thus far. But hey, every country is different and there may be reasons for everything. AW is meant to help the authorities while bringing a new found respect to the hobby at least in the eyes of the authorities. Everyone wins and don't worry about fees, costs and budgets. The important thing here is to voice your desire for such a programme and to inform your airports about it. AW has already been proven to work. By the way, it was -27 C here today plus the wind chill and it is not even winter yet, so go out and enjoy the view and the warm weather! Pleae feel free to ask questions.

Best regards for Christmas and for a promising New Year.


Jacques

[Gerard M]

Scott's original post was back in late September but I don't think I have seen an update from him since. It'd be nice to hear back to find out where this proposal is up to.

I'll echo the previous posts, any more info on this? I'm thinking this has the makings of one of the state governments north-west rail promises etc etc? Gets everyone excited and then nothing happens?

[Philip Argy]

Hang in there guys - I've got every confidence in Scott being able to progress the proposal with AFP management.

[Kurt A]

I have contacted Scott and await a reply. We can only go on what they have provided to us at this stage.

I don't have any further update yet.

[Greg McDonald]

I contacted him probably a month or so ago and was advised that the plan has not been forgotton.....

[Jenny van Genderen]

Wow....this sounds great ....could me in

[David Eyre]

Hi All,

I'm a new member based in Perth, and I'm also interested in setting up Airport Watch.

I think Airport Watch would be better as a national scheme. This scheme could either be managed centrally from Sydney, or by enthusiasts in each capital city.

Advantages of a national scheme are:

• Members of Airport Watch could use their membership anywhere in Australia, not at one particular airport.
• A national scheme would hold more weight with the authorities.
• If any costs are involved (e.g. production of ID cards), then economies of scale may be achieved.

Can someone please update this thread regarding progress with the scheme, and their thoughts on making it national? I'm sure colleagues in other states would be interested in this.

Regards,
David Eyre
Perth, WA

[Kurt A]

Unfortunately the program is at a stand still at this point in time.

The AFP are in the process of developing the appropriate communication channels with relevant authorities before moving any further with any such program.

It would be in all enthusiasts' best interest to align with the AFP's plans in regards to any Airport Watch program; so when I'm aware of any further updates from them, I will do my best to keep you informed.

[chris d]

http://www.news.com.au/national/airp...-1225835159656

The exact media report I predicted months ago has now been published. When reports like this come out, what is the general public to think when they see people loitering suspiciously around airports for hours? Let alone in otherwise secure areas.

I've lost count of the times people have asked is it legal for me to take photos at the airport, etc.

I suspect that photography as we know and enjoy now might be a short-lived thing.