Gleb Sarantsev, a 13-year-old from Volzhsky, Russia, has found a passion for plane spotting, capturing stunning images of aircraft. His interest began during a bout with rotavirus while in Adler, leading to the creation of a popular Telegram channel showcasing his work.

Gleb’s plane spotting journey started with simply observing aircraft at Adler airport. He then progressed to using binoculars and his phone to get a closer view of the planes. His parents supported his newfound interest by purchasing a high-quality camera, allowing him to capture detailed images of aircraft at high altitudes.

Gleb’s mother, Maria, mentioned that their lives now revolve around the Flightradar schedule, as they frequently visit the airport to photograph specific aircraft. Although they sometimes encounter questions from law enforcement and security personnel, Maria’s presence usually resolves any concerns, and sometimes, they even receive assistance from security forces in capturing rare shots.

The primary location for Gleb’s photography is his grandmother’s balcony, which provides a convenient and stable vantage point. His early subjects included the An-22 “Antei,” and he has since photographed various aircraft, including the Tu-214, Il-78, Il-76 MD, and MD-90. He tracks aircraft using Flightradar, though he notes that not all flights are visible on the site.

Always prepared, Gleb carries his camera with him in case the opportunity for a good shot arises. He notes that capturing the right moment can be challenging, especially at night or in cloudy weather.

During holidays, Gleb plans to travel to St. Petersburg to meet other plane spotters and share experiences. His mother mentioned that he connected with other young spotters through his Telegram channel and is eager to learn from them. Although there isn’t a strong spotting community in Volgograd, Gleb receives advice and support from a former spotter.

While Gleb’s hobby does impact his studies to some extent, his parents fully support his passion, believing it is a worthwhile activity. In addition to plane spotting, Gleb also plays football for the Rotor youth club.

When asked about potentially pursuing a career in aviation, Gleb remained undecided, citing the need for strong skills in physics and mathematics. However, he is certain that he will continue with his hobby.