The desire to capture perfect photos of the giants of the skies is top of most plane spotters’ wish lists. It’s an achievable dream given that many airports have convenient locations for taking top-quality aircraft photographs. But if you’re a plane spotter in a low-level air traffic area, it can be difficult. What’s the solution? 

A plane spotter and aviation enthusiast, Girmantas Gurbauskas has spent five years working in the aviation industry and 10 years spotting planes. He says that tracking jets in less busy areas teaches patience and precision when taking pictures. Based in Vilnius, this Lithuanian aircraft admirer admits that while Vilnius International Airport (VNO) isn’t as bustling as other Western Europe hubs, it still has its charms. 

“In general, plane spotters are aviation enthusiasts who not only observe planes but learn a lot about particular aircraft types and airlines as well,” Gurbauskas says. 

“I’ve been plane spotting since my days at school. I always wanted to relate my professional life to aviation, so I chose to study Air Traffic Control studies at the local Lithuanian university. I remember that my passion for planes first ignited when I took my very first transatlantic flight when I was visiting relatives abroad. Since then, I guess it wasn’t a single day when I didn’t ride my bike to Vilnius Airport to spot planes taking off and landing.” 

Girmantas Gurbauskas

As a schoolboy, his hobby proved to be a challenge….