Traditional autumn plane spotting at Domodedovo airport and beginners photo contest, "For the first time—first class!"
From August 31 to September 2, Moscow Domodedovo Airport held a traditional plane spotting for enthusiasts of aviation photography, professionals, regular participants of spotting activities and novice photographers. Over the course of three days, over 150 photographers visited and had an excellent opportunity to capture the aircraft of Domodedovo’s airline partners during takeoff, landing and taxiing on the airfield.
“I am glad that Domodedovo Airport was first to introduce the practice of plane spotting into Russia, following the leading European airports,” said one of the well-known aviation photographers. Inal Khaev. “This is a great opportunity to take beautiful pictures from unusual angles. I am very grateful to Domodedovo Airport for the attention accorded to plane spotters.”
For those who participated in plane spotting for the first time—and there were more than 50 such people—Domodedovo Airport organized a competition for the best picture, called "The first time—first class!" To participate in the photo contest, aviation photography novices must send in pictures of aircraft, the passenger terminal and Domodedovo Airport, showing their first "first class" impressions. Applications for the contest can be sent to spotting@dme.ru by September 30, 2011. Winners and awardees will receive memorable prizes from the airport and will also be invited to the next spotting event.
A partner of the three-day event, UTair Airlines, is holding its own plane spotting contest for the best takeoff and landing shots of the company’s aircraft. The grand prize is a round-trip ticket on any regularly scheduled domestic UTair flight in its network of destinations. Photographers who come in second and third place will receive prizes to remember the event.
Russia's very first official plane spotting was organized at Moscow's Domodedovo airport on May 22, 2007. Since then, the airport has become a permanent platform for plane spotting events that are held four times a year and attract aviation photography amateurs.