A critical skill of being a pilot is to be able to recognise other aircraft types for situational awareness, adherence to Air Traffic Control instructions and operating your own machine in accordance with the rules and regulations associated with different categories of aircraft.
Obviously it’d be impossible to detail every type of flying machine and many of you will undoubtedly be very competent with this already, but below you’ll find some handy tips and examples for rapidly recognising and telling aircraft apart. We’ll focus on fixed wing commercial air transport types.
Aircraft Features
Aircraft lighting (beacon and strobes)
Wheels
Engine(s) and mounting
Stretches (doors and wheels)
Apu exhaust outlet
Flight deck window shape
Colour scheme – company aircraft meaning and special liveries
Knowledge of airlines fleets – current, retirements and orders