Spotters arrested in New Delhi with SBS

[ScACC ATCO]

Folks

For info

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7028626.ece

[TG]

..monitoring flights using high-technology surveillance equipment.

..two men possessed sophisticated tracking equipment.

It couldn't be an SBS-1. The box doesn't look like sophisticated and high-technology

TG

[mhm]

How many times must i say.
If you go abroad with your toys, dont have them on DISPLAY. Remember that laws in foreign country's differ from our own. Read up before you go.

You may loose, camera's, scanners, SBS or Radarbox value £1500 upwards depending on scanner or camera. You may also be detained for a very long period.

Be discreete when using equipment, and you may be able to take them home.
Dont go to sensitive countries, Greece, Iraq,Iran,Afghanistan, this is a short list. There are many more.
If you are a member of an airfield spotter group,take some ID from it to say who you are.

And lastly. Laws in foreigh countries are much different from ours. Sentences are much longer, and just because you are a British Citizen, does not mean the home office can get you out of trouble. (When in Rome do as the Romans do) comes to mind.

[DaveReid]

I'm not a member (as I don't spot) and I have no connection with them, but it strikes me that joining TAESS (The Aviation Enthusiasts Security Scheme) would be 15 quid well spent before venturing on a spotting trip overseas, if only because (quote) A multi-language TAESS booklet is also provide to each TAESS ID holder explaining TAESS and the role you will play, this booklet is a must when travelling Overseas where perhaps our hobby is sometimes not recognised.

The issue here isn't the Indian authorities' undoubted paranoia, which is understandable given recent events, it's their inability to get their heads around the reasons why people would travel thousands of miles to spot aircraft for innocent pleasure.

http://www.taess.org.uk

[EIN6914]

Immensely sensible advice Dave; I think that a lot of people are guilty of not understanding the culture of the country they visit (not with conscious intent I would add), but the world is a smaller place these days. With the increasing accessibility of these countries, comes a greater responsibility for those who visit. We are all aware of those countries such as the US who are well publicised in their level of heigthened security, but its those that you wouldnt expect that present the greatest potential danger. Greece is still a prime example of this.
I recall report recently from one well travelled member who presented reports from China, and I will bet that he was careful and discreet about what he did , when and where.

Moral of the story; take responsibility and understand what is risky, what is viewed as unacceptable etc and ideally where the boundaries exist.

[ATCManch]

No spotting outside whilst in China, and very discreet in the airports whilst waiting for flights.

The SBS stayed in the hotels at all times, although we were still very visable from the main apron at Hongqiao and also from the whole hotel area in Beijing. I do have a great picture of an aircraft on final approach into Beijing and the copilot is looking straight at us pointing cameras and telescopes at him. We waited for the knock on the door but it never came

Dubai next month

[ATCManch]

Just as an add on to this.

Mobile phones are wonderfull things these days, most coming with some sort of dictaphone. We used my Blackberry and walked down the terminal whilst dictating regs into it whilst looking like i was making a phone call, one way to be discreet.

[40482A]

"Spotters arrested in New Delhi with SBS"

Has it been confirmed that it was indeed an SBS?

[DaveReid]

Has it been confirmed that it was indeed an SBS?

Yes.

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/forums/spotting-at-delhi-beware-46384.aspx

If they'd had a RadarBox and forgotten to untick "Share Flight Data" then they could well have been in even more trouble ...

[40482A]

Thanks Dave.

[IANK]

According to this report they were using a AirNav Radarbox

http://www.bangaloreaviation.com/2010/0 ... ed-in.html

[KineticDavid]

I am of the opinion that it does not matter whose equipment the guys were arrested with but rather that they receive the support of all other enthusiasts world wide.

This is a great hobby, worthy of passion and the fact that the guys have, albeit we hope temporarily, lost their freedom is of concern.
I understand that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, local Consular staff, Dan Norris MP and his staff are working hard to ensure an expeditious release and a safe homecoming. It is important to understand that India is on an almost permanent state of high alert with domestic security issues being at an all time high. The security services task is to protect their citizens and when they receive a report of two guys checking into a hotel, armed with gear and requesting a room overlooking the runway, they naturally act first and digest the facts at leisure. I am sure that the judicial system will process the guys, understand that they meant no harm and we can expect their return to the UK.

It is also of note that we owe our security services a significant degree of respect for their understanding of this hobby and their choice to leave it in peace. I have often commented that our interactions with the authorities leave us respectful of their judgement and our veiled warnings that it would be worth noting that the community should not provoke them with do or dare attitudes. I have heard much talk of Multilateration for enthusiasts and I suggest with learned opinion that this will not be tolerated. We sell Mulitlateration equipment into the professional market, that being a market where the customers can demonstrate a security acceptable requirement to track aircraft by passive means without the express intent to provide positional information. I do not believe that enthusiasts will be able to demonstrate such a need rather than a wish.

Again, all of us at Kinetic wish the guys in India all the best and we will support them whatever equipment they were using.

[EIN6914]

Reported further on tv today....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8530062.stm

[Halcones]

More here too
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/23/british-plane-spotters-face-jail-india

[bones]

From the BBC:

Two British plane-spotters have been fined 25,000 rupees each (£365) by an Indian court after admitting illegally monitoring aircraft.