The world is full of unique hobbies and interests.

Back in the day, magazines, local meetups and conventions were the best way to get acquainted with the other people who were into something special. However, the development of the internet and social media has allowed people all over the world to bond over their passions. Everything seems to have a Subreddit, Discord or online forum these days, and ease of access means that people can start to develop their hobbies even earlier.

Meet Oliver Semple. He’s 16 years old, attends Aspen High School and knows every airplane that flies in and out of Aspen.

Semple grew up in Aspen and his father, Lorenzo, is the owner of a mobile ski-wear rental company and is an opinion columnist for this newspaper. The Semple household is located right along one of the more common flight paths out of Aspen. Oliver said that this proximity to the airport is what got him into the hobby of plane spotting.

“I’ve always loved looking up at the strange planes that came into this relatively small airport,” Semple said. “I’ve always loved what aviation is, how planes fly, what goes into planes and how they work.”

A hobby for aviation-nerds