The Antonov AN-124-100, a behemoth of a cargo plane, has long captivated aviation enthusiasts worldwide. In Adelaide, it holds a special place in the hearts of plane spotters like Cameron Roberts, who vividly recalls witnessing the Soviet-era giant land at Adelaide Airport in 2023 alongside his younger brother Gregory. “Seriously, it’s like such a cool plane to see,” Cameron enthused, reflecting on their shared passion for plane spotting—a hobby that involves observing and documenting aircraft, often through photography.
Despite its global appeal, the plane spotting community in Adelaide faces increasing challenges. Recent developments at Adelaide Airport, coupled with urban growth around the area, have made it more difficult for enthusiasts to capture unobstructed views of aircraft. “I’m a little bit surprised how popular this is,” Gregory remarked, acknowledging the growing number of local spotters armed with cameras, flight scanners, and radios.
Challenges Facing Adelaide’s Plane Spotting Community
To overcome these obstacles, Cameron and Gregory often resort to creative methods, such as using stepladders or climbing nearby structures like skate park half-pipes and tree stumps. “It’s a bit difficult trying to get photos where there’s all these obstructions,” Cameron admitted. Their determination is shared by many in the community, including 14-year-old Harrison Lawson, who frequently visits the airport to photograph planes from inside the terminal, despite the challenges posed by glare and restricted views.
Most plane spotters in Adelaide congregate in a few public spaces outside the airport, selecting locations based on factors like aircraft size, runway usage, wind direction, and sunlight. The popularity of this pastime was evident in 2008 when a Qantas A380’s first landing in Adelaide caused traffic gridlock as crowds flocked to catch a glimpse.
Calls for a Dedicated Viewing Area
Last month, Adelaide Airport began constructing a new 1,100-space car park, alerting the community to potential disruptions at a popular photography spot. This development has reignited calls for a dedicated plane spotting area, similar to those at Sydney and Perth airports, which offer elevated platforms to reduce obstructions. “We definitely need some sort of official spotting area here at Adelaide,” said Mark Spence, a key figure in the local spotting community who helps run a live stream of tarmac activity that attracts thousands of viewers weekly.
Despite these calls, Adelaide Airport’s executive general manager for corporate, Alicia Bickmore, stated that there are currently no plans for such a facility. However, she welcomed feedback from plane spotters regarding preferred sites for potential future opportunities. “It’s quite unique,” she noted, referring to the existing unrestricted views of the runway available at certain locations.
Diverse Opinions on Infrastructure Needs
While many spotters advocate for a dedicated viewing area, opinions on the matter are not unanimous. Jasmin Christensen, a casual observer who enjoys watching planes with her children, expressed contentment with the current setup. “I kind of like that you don’t have other amenities here because it keeps people away that maybe shouldn’t come here,” she said, suggesting that additional facilities might attract non-enthusiasts.
Nevertheless, the desire for improved infrastructure remains strong among dedicated spotters. “It’s like any hobby: it can live or die by the infrastructure you’ve got around it,” said Darin Roberts, Cameron and Gregory’s father and a fellow plane spotter. “It would be nice if we had a viewing platform; I mean we don’t hold any great hope that it will happen, because I don’t see for the people doing it that it has any financial benefit to them.”
The Future of Plane Spotting in Adelaide
As the plane spotting community in Adelaide continues to grow, the debate over the need for dedicated infrastructure is likely to persist. While some spotters are content with the current arrangements, others see the potential for an enhanced experience that could attract even more enthusiasts to the area. For now, the community remains hopeful that future developments at Adelaide Airport will consider their needs, ensuring that the passion for aviation can continue to thrive.
