How I Accidentally Fell in Love with Plane Spotting
So, here’s the story of how I got into plane spotting—completely by accident. About three years ago, I saw a tweet that said something like, “If you’re not watching Big Jet TV, you’re not living.” Naturally, I had to check it out. I found Big Jet TV on YouTube and was instantly hooked. I’d never imagined watching planes could be so thrilling—giant A380s coming in sideways, struggling to land in strong winds, sometimes going around for another try. And people were streaming it live! Suddenly, airports weren’t just places to catch flights—they were full-on stages of drama.
A few years later on a quiet night I stumbled upon SydSquad, a similar stream but right here at Sydney Airport. I tuned in and was amazed. The commentary was professional, the community was welcoming, and I started learning about runway directions, plane movements, and how airports actually operate. It was like a whole new world opened up.
Armed with this knowledge, I finally went to Sydney Airport myself. Using the streams as a guide, I explored the hotspots. My favorite? The northern end near the Hotdog Stand, where planes practically fly over your head as they land. There’s also The Beach for southern takeoffs and Sheps’ Mound for a bird’s-eye view of the runways. Watching it in person was next-level—the mix of scale, speed, and precision is mesmerizing.
Plane spotting even became a mini-workout. The airport is just a 5K run from work, so sometimes I dash down after finishing, catch an A380, watch DHL jets, and get a 10K round trip in. It’s the perfect combo of exercise and entertainment.
Watching an A380 land on 16R
Best of all, it turned into a family hobby. The kids love Flightradar24 and planes, so we spend time together at the Hotdog Stand or Sheps’ Mound, talking about planes, travel dreams, and future trips. It’s a simple activity that somehow makes for some of the most fun family moments.
The takeaway? Plane spotting has changed how I see airports and planes forever. I’ve gained respect for the skill and logistics involved, and discovered a welcoming community of enthusiasts. It’s not just about planes—it’s curiosity, connection, and perspective. Once you start noticing the magic behind the scenes, you’ll never look at an airport the same way again.