# My current obsession: SkyCards! Anyone else play? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 11, 2026, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818 "2026-06-11T07:05:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/201 "2026-07-14T14:38:34Z")
I did eventually get an airport in West Virginia. It took surprisingly long, though, since I had radar coverage that extended well over the state. I seem to be developing certain goals for each week. Last week I finished them with a couple days to spare, so I started catching every un-caught plane I could find around a couple hub airports. There are trophies for catching planes from American, Delta, United, and Southwest. They’re going to take a while, but I made progress. I noticed there aren’t trophies for JetBlue or Alaska, despite them being very common. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/202 "2026-07-14T18:31:33Z")
Another interesting Govt. flight today - Screen capped this Janet flight descending into the middle of “nowhere”. About 10 secs after this screenshot, they turned off their ADSB and dissapeared. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/8qANhSJ.png?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/yNzWa5N) ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/203 "2026-07-14T18:50:39Z")
Where it disappeared: https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.242053,-115.8076584&z=13&output=embed&dg=ntvb Groom Lake, otherwise known as Area 51. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/204 "2026-07-14T19:08:45Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Groom Lake, otherwise known as Area 51. Yes, of course. I just thought it was a little silly to keep up the pretense at this point 😃 . ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/205 "2026-07-14T20:04:29Z")
I got wooshed! Probably by an unmarked 737! ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/206 "2026-07-15T13:53:07Z")
Trying to wrap up my American All-Star trophy. Still need Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, and Vermont. I thought sitting at a hub would do it, but apparently no one flies to these places from Atlanta LOL (although I did get quite a few southern states). I will try EWR or DEN next. I’m also only four provinces away from getting the Dragon trophy (all 31 Chinese provinces). ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/207 "2026-07-15T16:06:54Z")
There’s a Lockheed L-12 Electra Junior just southeast of Wichita Falls this morning. Might be a good choice for this week’s battles as it is fast (196 kt), rare (12.19), and old (1936). [![](https://u.cubeupload.com/psiekier/LockheedL12ElectraJu.png) ](https://u.cubeupload.com/psiekier/LockheedL12ElectraJu.png) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/208 "2026-07-15T17:11:48Z")
Damn, that leap from level 29 to 30 is a killer. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/209 "2026-07-15T18:28:47Z")
Isn’t it, though? That’s where I am, too. Thirty used to be the level cap in an older version of the game, so that’s why the later levels are such big jumps. Still makes me give the side-eye to people who show to battle at the 10-coin level with planes like this. [![](https://u.cubeupload.com/psiekier/ultraspiritSE14mXP.png) ](https://u.cubeupload.com/psiekier/ultraspiritSE14mXP.png) The first Spirit SE-1 took to the air in July, 2025 - about a year ago. Even if you started this game when it came out in 2024, there’s no way you could capture the SE-1 then. It hadn’t been invented yet. I’m wondering what the trick here is, then. I’ve been playing for about a month, and my SE-1 has 87K XP. This guy has been farming this specific plane roughly 46 times harder than I have. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/210 "2026-07-15T18:33:49Z")
Maybe it’s actually his plane LOL. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/211 "2026-07-15T18:47:01Z")
> [@psiekier](#): > > That’s where I am, too. That doesn’t narrow it down much. I wonder what happens when a new plane takes its first flight. Is is super-high rarity and then decreases as more flights are made? I got some good points catching a 777 variant near Seattle; I think Boeing is flight testing a version that isn’t certificated yet. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/212 "2026-07-15T19:02:53Z")
I don’t have any cyber cards yet. Only one platinum, but a few others getting close. I still need a Brazil flight today. I’d like to get it from one of the airports I already have. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/213 "2026-07-17T00:44:46Z")
I unlocked KOSH and have free travel to Madison for the rest of the week. FAA Special Flight Procedures started today. Bring on Oshkosh! ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/214 "2026-07-17T01:47:14Z")
> [@psiekier](#): > > I’m wondering what the trick here is, then. I’ve been playing for about a month, and my SE-1 has 87K XP. This guy has been farming this specific plane roughly 46 times harder than I have. I don’t know about this guy in particular, but in one of the discussions that got deleted off the discord, somebody pointed out that there are apps that let you spoof your GPS location and thus move around for free. There are also apps that let you spoof the actual ADS-B data coming in and just create whatever flights you happen to want ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/215 "2026-07-17T01:55:45Z")
Cheating is universally the province of losing losers who lose by pretending to win. LOSERS!!! ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/216 "2026-07-17T18:10:42Z")
And so it begins! Looking forward to picking up lots of rare types. [![](https://i.imgur.com/MMF1Onk.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/MMF1Onk.png) ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/217 "2026-07-17T19:14:14Z")
Short list of aircraft added to my deck that I had no idea existed prior to 30 minutes ago: Porto Risen [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Swiss_Excellence_Risen.jpg/3840px-Swiss_Excellence_Risen.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Swiss_Excellence_Risen.jpg/3840px-Swiss_Excellence_Risen.jpg) Fuji KM-2 [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Fuji_Heavy_Industries_KM-2%2C_in_Kota_Town.jpg/1920px-Fuji_Heavy_Industries_KM-2%2C_in_Kota_Town.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Fuji_Heavy_Industries_KM-2%2C_in_Kota_Town.jpg/1920px-Fuji_Heavy_Industries_KM-2%2C_in_Kota_Town.jpg) Team Rocket F1 [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Darryl_Hudec_F1_Rocket.jpg/1920px-Darryl_Hudec_F1_Rocket.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Darryl_Hudec_F1_Rocket.jpg/1920px-Darryl_Hudec_F1_Rocket.jpg) CP-301 Smaragd [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Binder_Aviatik_CP-301S_Smaragd_(G-DENS)_at_Cotswold_Airport_England_18Jun2016_arp.jpg/1920px-Binder_Aviatik_CP-301S_Smaragd_(G-DENS)_at_Cotswold_Airport_England_18Jun2016_arp.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Binder_Aviatik_CP-301S_Smaragd_(G-DENS)_at_Cotswold_Airport_England_18Jun2016_arp.jpg/1920px-Binder_Aviatik_CP-301S_Smaragd_(G-DENS)_at_Cotswold_Airport_England_18Jun2016_arp.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/218 "2026-07-17T19:50:08Z")
I’m watching it now. I’m scared just looking at it. I completed the tasks for Appleton, so I have Osh Kosh covered for the erst of the weekend. I discovered something interesting yesterday. For about a week, I’ve needed only two aircraft for the Scarce Master trophy. I’ve been checking a page at flightaware that claims to have all airborne aircraft, with the number, and a link to show them on a map. I’d do a ctrl-f text search looking for the ID of those two aircraft, and neither one was showing up. I just figured they were scarce enough that none were flying when I was searching. Well, yesterday I was catching planes in Istanbul, and found one of the two totally by accident. I caught it, of course, and then tried that flightaware page again. It still didn’t have a record of any of that type. I found another one not long after. Maybe flightaware is less aware than it claims to be. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/219 "2026-07-17T19:54:28Z")
That is interesting… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/220 "2026-07-17T20:17:46Z")
The plane was an Aquila A 210 (code A210). I found one near Istanbul. When I figured out that flightaware wasn’t showing it, I checked the other plane I need, a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter. SkyCards shows it’s most common over Switzerland, so I started looking there in the hopes of finding one. In the process, I found another A 210. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818.md?page=12)