Africa - Planespotter arrested for having radio communication in South Africa

This is not good enough for him at all. He could spent 10 month in jail. He can't have two-way radio from traffic control. He could pay R5,000 fined.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Court-finds-planespotter-guilty-20110805

Good riddance to the planespotters!! He can't allowed to have a communications with the pilots.

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Some authorities don't look kindly on (or understand) planespotters. UK planespotters have found this out in Greece, amongst other places.

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Some authorities don't look kindly on (or understand) planespotters. UK planespotters have found this out in Greece, amongst other places. They've been hassled in the US in recent years also for loitering at airport perimeters and atop parking garages, etc. although they are pretty obviously benign souls who can't organize a bag lunch, let alone an assault on civil aviation.

Interestingly the linked SA article makes reference to planespotting anoraks acting as a security asset, altering authorities now and then to suspicious behavior, which is much wiser than making enemies of these poor people and locking them up.

I had no idea until now that an ATC band receiver is illegal in some countries.

Interestingly the linked SA article makes reference to planespotting anoraks acting as a security asset, altering authorities now and then to suspicious behavior, which is much wiser than making enemies of these poor people and locking them up.Legend has it that the planespotters on the top of LHR T2 were welcomed back as security assets after they were cleared following the events of 10 years ago.

LHR T2 is no more, currently demolished and being redeveloped as East terminal, so I have no idea what the current position is at LHR.

AIUI, in the UK a license is needed for any radio receiver or transmitter, though that is clearly widely ignored for domestic equipment. Not too long ago, we paid for a radio license - £1/5/0 in old money = £1.25 - until it was abolished in 1971. Remember we had no UK commercial stations at the time, so no ads to pay for the service.
http://www.radiolicence.org.uk/

I think the OP was being humorous. ;) I'm pretty sure that comment doesn't represent his real feelings.

Some authorities don't look kindly on (or understand) planespotters. UK planespotters have found this out in Greece, amongst other places.

Do you remember what happened those 2 or 3 planespotters who arrested in BOM or DEL?

Sorry, no. Those Brits in Greece were held in custody for a while. In the end, they were released. I'm not sure whether they were found 'guilty' or the charges were dropped. It was a while ago now.

Sorry, no. Those Brits in Greece were held in custody for a while. In the end, they were released. I'm not sure whether they were found 'guilty' or the charges were dropped. It was a while ago now.

Oh! I must remember what happened the guy who arrested in Greece. He have absolutely no reason why he spent in jail for 3 years. He shouldn't taking a pictures near airport property. I believe that he found not guilty. I am not sure if he could go freed. Whether if he could go back where he came from.

Detaining anyone taking photos of planes is hardly unheard of, though actual prosecution may be. Even taking photos in airports at all was illegal in many countries for years and may still be in some places (and if, as in many cases, there's a military facility adjacent, taking photos is not a good idea). Article mentioned that possession of the radio without a license was illegal even though it could not transmit, apparently whether or not the person is near an airport. The law may well be unreasonable, but it sounds like the airport folks were acting within the law. I don't know the text of the law so don't know if it was written with plane spotters in mind or if it's only enforced against them. I assume the arrested man was a South African.