TPA celebrates planespotters with fourth annual Plane Spotting Tour
On Saturday, Oct. 23rd, a group of 15 aviation fans took to the airfield to participate in Tampa International Airport’s fourth annual Plane Spotting Tour. This is the first time the event has taken place since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
Known as planespotters, these folks observe, photograph and catalog aircraft as a hobby.
The Plane Spotting Tour consisted of taking the group out on the airfield to get up close and personal with aircraft. The tour began with participants being able to observe a Boeing 777-200 carrying the Chicago Bears as well as a Cayman Airways aircraft, which just resumed service earlier this month.
Giselle Boyer-Spaulding, a first-time planespotter at Tampa International Airport had different expectations going into the tour.
“I thought it was going to be a tour of the airport and I thought we would go out on to the airfield just briefly,” she said. Boyer-Spaulding was “pleasantly surprised” when the entirety of the tour was on the airfield and so close to the gleaming aircraft.
Michael Gofberg expected a “comradery of a group of folks who all enjoy the same thing." A sense of comradery could in fact be felt as many on the tour shared a love for aircraft and photographing them.
Participants were chosen by a random drawing through the TPA Planespotter Facebook group, dubbed the Plane Spot. All of the participants in this year’s tour were first-time spotters at the Tampa International Airport. “It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience," stated Boyer-Spaulding, reflecting on the tour.
If you or someone you know would like a chance to participate in a plane spotting tour at Tampa International Airport, join The Plane Spot Facebook group and be on the lookout for further information regarding the next tour.