Pat Whelan from north Dublin, who works for Lufthansa, has spent nearly 40 years plane spotting and says many spotters work in the industry, "eating, breathing and sleeping" aviation. Many like to film their findings, becoming accomplished photographers over the years.

Most aviationists become globe-trotters, having visited most countries in our search to enrich our log books," he says.

Whelan says the Champions League final held in Manchester in May attracted not only 90,000 Italian football fans, but also about 10,000 aviation enthusiasts keen to view the arriving aircraft.

"The downside to the hobby is the many close encounters with security at airports even here in Ireland with many reports of enthusiasts having been detained, however briefly," he says.

But, he says, some airport and police authorities in Britain have approached aviation societies to help combat crime and terrorist attacks, in the belief that spotters exchange information and are likely to report any suspicious activity.

Aer Rianta, which manages the State's airports, says the spotters don't cause any problems here.

"They've been there for years and there's a particular spot at the perimeter near runway 10/28 where they get a very good view because of the embankment," says a spokeswoman for the airport management authority.

The Aviation Society of Ireland: www.iol.ie/~asire/

Aviation Authority: www.iaa.ie ( includes a list of all Irish-registered planes)

www.aerrianta.ie

www.irishaviation.net

Irish Spotters e-mail list: The e-mail group allows aviation enthusiasts exchange information. To join, send a blank email to: irish-spotters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com