How to Identify a Commercial Aircraft
Purchase a book that has three dimensional view drawings and other information to help you identify aircraft., Bring the things you will need: For the hobbyist/serious aircraft spotter: If you like, you can bring a camera so you can show off your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Purchase a book that has three dimensional view drawings and other information to help you identify aircraft.
If you're not sure if spotting is the hobby for you, check out a book at your local library before investing in purchasing one. -
Step 2: Bring the things you will need: For the hobbyist/serious aircraft spotter: If you like
For the casual spottee/person waiting for a flight at the airport:
Since you probably didn't plan on having your flight delayed and you probably don't have a camera in your carry on, you are pretty much confined to observing, which is just fine. , Since a good portion of the times you get a good look at aircraft, they are flying overhead, you may only have a few moments to lock vital information about the aircraft into your brain. , Look for the type of engines.
Decide between the following:
Jets; or Propeller driven Gliders are also a possibility (no engines, no propellers). , These are as follows:
Wing mounted
- Most jets and propeller driven aircraft have their engines wing mounted.
Fuselage mounted
- The engines are attached to the fuselage at the back of the plane.
Nose mounted
- The engines are attached to the fuselage, inside the nose of the aircraft.
This is most common on single engine light aircraft.
Tail mounted
- Not to be confused with fuselage mounted engines, tail mounted engines are actually in the tail.
Combination
- Some aircraft such as the DC-10 and L-1011 have a combination.
They have two-wing mounted engines and one tail mounted. , Look at the position of the wings (if you are looking at an airliner and can't decide if the wings are low or mid, mid is your best bet).
High
- In this configuration the wings are attached to the top of the fuselage.
Mid
- Most commercial airplanes have this orientation.
The wings appear to sprout just above the bottom of the fuselage.
Low
- This is mostly found on small general aviation planes.
The wings are connected to the fuselage at the base of the fuselage. , The tailplane is the horizontal piece that sticks out of the tail.
High
- Connects at the very top of the tail (the part that sticks straight up at the back of the plane).
Mid
- In the middle of the tail.
Low
- At the point where the tail connects to the fuselage. -
Step 3: you can bring a camera so you can show off your discoveries on a website or just to keep and display in your home.
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Step 4: Look for the basic identifying portions of the airplane.
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Step 5: Check the type of engines.
-
Step 6: Look for the number and position of the engines.
-
Step 7: Check the wings.
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Step 8: Check the tailplane.
Detailed Guide
If you're not sure if spotting is the hobby for you, check out a book at your local library before investing in purchasing one.
For the casual spottee/person waiting for a flight at the airport:
Since you probably didn't plan on having your flight delayed and you probably don't have a camera in your carry on, you are pretty much confined to observing, which is just fine. , Since a good portion of the times you get a good look at aircraft, they are flying overhead, you may only have a few moments to lock vital information about the aircraft into your brain. , Look for the type of engines.
Decide between the following:
Jets; or Propeller driven Gliders are also a possibility (no engines, no propellers). , These are as follows:
Wing mounted
- Most jets and propeller driven aircraft have their engines wing mounted.
Fuselage mounted
- The engines are attached to the fuselage at the back of the plane.
Nose mounted
- The engines are attached to the fuselage, inside the nose of the aircraft.
This is most common on single engine light aircraft.
Tail mounted
- Not to be confused with fuselage mounted engines, tail mounted engines are actually in the tail.
Combination
- Some aircraft such as the DC-10 and L-1011 have a combination.
They have two-wing mounted engines and one tail mounted. , Look at the position of the wings (if you are looking at an airliner and can't decide if the wings are low or mid, mid is your best bet).
High
- In this configuration the wings are attached to the top of the fuselage.
Mid
- Most commercial airplanes have this orientation.
The wings appear to sprout just above the bottom of the fuselage.
Low
- This is mostly found on small general aviation planes.
The wings are connected to the fuselage at the base of the fuselage. , The tailplane is the horizontal piece that sticks out of the tail.
High
- Connects at the very top of the tail (the part that sticks straight up at the back of the plane).
Mid
- In the middle of the tail.
Low
- At the point where the tail connects to the fuselage.
About the Author
Nancy Reynolds
Enthusiastic about teaching lifestyle techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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