Civilian Aviation

I have now finalised list for the 2017 SPOTM topics, I think (hope) there's a nice wide selection of topics. I have included some topics which were suggested when I did the poll last year and which received a good number of votes without being in the top three.

Here is the list:

January British Airways – any aircraft in British Airways livery

February Taildraggers - Any taildragger / tailwheel aircraft.

March Aircraft registered in Ireland (i.e. EI-***)

April airport vehicles + an aircraft ( ex : pushback, firetrucks welcoming new company.... )

May any Embraer, biz or airliner

June wheels (or floats) off the ground, so in flight rather than on the ground - I changed the title slightly to make to scope clearer

July Points of the compass - north south east or west in the airline or company name

August Aircraft with names connected with dogs e.g. Beagles (and pups) Bulldogs, Huskies, Terriers etc

September Tails – a photo with predominately aircraft tails in it

October Hot air balloons or other lighter than air craft

November Monarch Airlines - photos of any Monarch aircraft of any vintage to remember the recently failed British airline.

December: HS.125 series right up to the Hawker Beech 800

Touch down or lift off – main gear on the runway and nosewheel in the air - this will now be the January 2018 SPOTM subject


I hope you like the calendar, any questions or comments can be posted here and I will do my best to answer them

many thanks

Andy

That's a great list Andy. Work has mainly kept me away from taking part this year but most of those I can (hopefully) find something for.

November HS.125 series right up to the Hawker Beech 800

And 900s and 1000s?

bizfreeq wrote:

November HS.125 series right up to the Hawker Beech 800

And 900s and 1000s?

yes, keep it simple then, any series

the August competition has just been posted and you will see that we have changed the subject to aircraft named after 4 legged animals to give it a wider scope (we decided dogs was too restrictive).
so no birds (wings don't count as legs), fish (I doubt you can find one with 4 legs anyway)) or insects so no mosquitoes with 2 legs pulled off!
also no nicknames such as Jumbos or NATO code names please.

Dogs was bad enough, the only one I've got close to the new theme is a Fox Moth - but that's a moth and not a fox

waghorn41 wrote:Dogs was bad enough, the only one I've got close to the new theme is a Fox Moth - but that's a moth and not a fox

my view is that as that has fox in the name that will be acceptable - as will a tiger moth or a leopard moth, I think as they also have DH.51 moths the moth is just a follow up part (hope i'm right) but those will be okay. as a hornet is an insect I will have to rule out hornet moths which is a shame as I got a good opic of one last weekend

At least wirth this there is more scope than just dogs anyway so should be easier really.

Hope that helps but if in doubt feel free to ask

andy

Just for info, Tiger, Leopard and Fox are actually moth species in their own rights. Looking through the four legged animal types this could possibly be a GA and helicopter-only comp

Nighthawke wrote:Just for info, Tiger, Leopard and Fox are actually moth species in their own rights. Looking through the four legged animal types this could possibly be a GA and helicopter-only comp

I realise that point re the moth species but I am trying to make the subject a bit easier and yes it will probably make it more of a GA / helicopter competition.
I thought it would make a change to have one that isn't primarily airliners and in the summer months there are plenty of opportunities with shows & fly ins or even a visit to the local airfield.

For now I will lock the competition thread before anyone posts in it to give me time to think and for members to give a bit of feedback, firstly would you likeit opened to all kinds of animals including insects and birds? That would give a bit more scope whilst still focussing on GA / helicopter types more (which was my aim with this one) but I will still say no NATO code names otherwise it could become another Russian airliner comp which I would like to avoid to ensure a different type of subject this time.

Your feedback please and I will start it early next week so you have the weekend to think about what you want.

Thanks

andy

My comments weren't meant to be any criticism in any way. I am quite happy with whatever is decided. Personally I have many better GA images than airliner ones. Having looked through the NATO reporting names too, not many airliners are animals anyway - in fact not many types at all certainly not civil anyway.

Will wait to see what others think but as I said I'm personally happy with any decision.

Nighthawke wrote:My comments weren't meant to be any criticism in any way. I am quite happy with whatever is decided. Personally I have many better GA images than airliner ones. Having looked through the NATO reporting names too, not many airliners are animals anyway - in fact not many types at all certainly not civil anyway.

Will wait to see what others think but as I said I'm personally happy with any decision.

Thanks Nighthawke,
I didn't take it as criticism but it highlighted the current anomalies in the title (and that was good that it did). I would rather make sure that the scope is precise from the start for everyone's benefit (especially mine to make my life easier ) I 'm just keen to avoid every month's competition being dominated by airliners - not because I don't like them but a bit of variety is nice and might encourage those who aren't near a busy airport to have a go.

as you said - lets see what others think or even better say!

A few thoughts.
I am happy to go with whatever the topic. I might not have a great picture for it, but to me it's sharing and having a bit of fun.
We did have a dedicated GA topic back in Sept 2016 - Vans, and I don't believe that received criticism.
Original idea - dogs - would have meant mainly Beagle / SA Pup, Bulldog, Husky, Airedale etc.
Four legged - now makes me think -
Grumman AA-1 Lynx,, AA-5 Cheetah & Tiger, GA-7 Cougar
Yak - any version
DHC - Chipmunk, Beaver, Caribou, Buffalo, Otter, Twin Otter
SA-341G Gazelle
and there will be others.

Pete.

LondonEye wrote:A few thoughts.
Original idea - dogs - would have meant mainly Beagle / SA Pup, Bulldog, Husky, Airedale etc.
Pete.

thanks Pete - Thats why I wanted to expand it a bit, we (the mods) decided the original was too restrictive

LondonEye wrote: Four legged - now makes me think -
Grumman AA-1 Lynx,, AA-5 Cheetah & Tiger, GA-7 Cougar
Yak - any version
DHC - Chipmunk, Beaver, Caribou, Buffalo, Otter, Twin Otter
SA-341G Gazelle
and there will be others.

Pete.

Thanks for that a good guide - I hadn't thought of Yaks!
Does a twin squirrel count or would that have 8 legs?

Mike will like a Beaver or two, he has a thing about them (and Beagle Pups).

thanks Pete.

I think leaving it at 4 legged would add a bit of a challenge rather than open it up and make it easier. I also think that on the moth side, the tiger etc is in referrence to the moth not the associated animal so should therefore not be allowed, again as it is perhaps taking the challenge out of the comp. Just my view and will be more than happy to go with the flow.

Dogs was a bit restrictive, although I had a couple of photos in mind that I could've used. I think 4-legged animals is fine. Can we include mythical beasts - Dragon, Pegasus? I've got nothing against airliners, but I don't think it's a problem if this subject limits opportunities for pics of them as they seem to dominate POTM anyway.

Cheers,
Oz

TheMightyOz wrote:Dogs was a bit restrictive, although I had a couple of photos in mind that I could've used. I think 4-legged animals is fine. Can we include mythical beasts - Dragon, Pegasus? I've got nothing against airliners, but I don't think it's a problem if this subject limits opportunities for pics of them as they seem to dominate POTM anyway.

Cheers,
Oz

Dragons aren't mythical, you've obviously never met my mother-in-law.

4 legged animals sounds fine to me.

andygolfer wrote:the August competition has just been posted and you will see that we have changed the subject to aircraft named after 4 legged animals to give it a wider scope (we decided dogs was too restrictive).
so no birds (wings don't count as legs), fish (I doubt you can find one with 4 legs anyway)) or insects so no mosquitoes with 2 legs pulled off!
also no nicknames such as Jumbos or NATO code names please.

All very clear to me, I'm ready to post.

So, in brief, the competition is open now?

Not yet, Wallie.

Wallie wrote:So, in brief, the competition is open now?

I will wait until after the weekend to see what other comments appear as I originally said - but no more mother in law jokes please Mr Branford!