# 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:** 22
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/421 "2026-09-12T22:28:19Z")
> [@liirogue](#): > > And for completing the airport missions for free travel, do you have to have already traveled there before doing the mission or can you do it ahead of time? You have to travel to the airport to be able to complete the six tasks. Once you’ve traveled there, you can use a Catch Anywhere and that will count, but it’s usually not necessary. Also, if for some reason you don’t compete all the tasks in 30 minutes, just before the time is up, you can jump to a nearby airport for ~10 coins rather than go all the way home. Camp out in the area, then spend ~10 coins to jump back and complete the tasks. One thing that is annoying is that you can’t even see the tasks if you’re not at the airport. If you need to remind yourself what the tasks were, you can use: [https://skydex.info/](https://skydex.info/) * * * IMHO, the 30 minutes for 75 coins is the best buy, even if you don’t use the full time. In 30 minutes, you can earn 175-225 coins and a bunch of items. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/422 "2026-09-13T16:27:03Z")
Very helpful, I appreciate the responses. And yes I saw Skydex linked earlier in this thread and used it to plan my two travels. I’ve been using the 30 minutes for 75 coins a lot this week while in the NYC area. I’m concentrating on catching new destinations, new plane types, or unique tail numbers for Delta/United/AA/SW for those trophies. So I don’t always make a lot but I do at least break even. Also, what is the point of the catch again card? You can catch the same plane after a couple of hours - when would you need to do it more frequently than that? ---
**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:** [September 13, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/423 "2026-09-13T16:29:46Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > I would guess Miami/Houston/Puerto Rico might be good for the Caribbean, Miami MIA is great for Caribbean & LatAm destinations and airlines. Fort Lauderdale FLL too, but less so. Fort Lauderdale Executive FTX & Miami Executive TMB are nearby airports you can probably get to cheaply. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/424 "2026-09-13T17:39:17Z")
> [@liirogue](#): > > Also, what is the point of the catch again card? You can catch the same plane after a couple of hours - when would you need to do it more frequently than that? If I’ve spent the coins to visit Auckland for a half-hour, sometimes the tasks will be something like “catch 2 planes with destination of Christchurch”, or “catch 2 ATR-72 aircraft”. If the clock is ticking down, and I’ve caught one of those planes but not two, I’ll use Catch Again to catch the same plane a second time (assuming it’s still in range) and that completes the task. That’s about the only time I ever use it. Another possibility, as Cave Mike suggests, is to spend 10 coins to go to a nearby airport, wait for another flight to Christchurch (or ATR-72, or whatever), spend 10 coins to go back to Auckland, and catch the plane that completes the task. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/425 "2026-09-13T17:54:49Z")
Oh that makes sense - I hadn’t thought about maybe needing it for a slower airport. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Fort Lauderdale Executive FTX & Miami Executive TMB are nearby airports you can probably get to cheaply. Great recommendation. Looks like I’ve got Miami OPA Executive Airports (OPF) unlocked and it’s right between MIA and FLL. I’ll probably try that starting tomorrow as it will give good access to both those major airports. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/426 "2026-09-13T22:24:30Z")
D’oh! That’s another great choice in the greater Miami metroblob. OPA has less indigenous bizjet traffic than the other two, but that’s probably immaterial to your goals. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/427 "2026-09-13T23:09:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Fort Lauderdale Executive FTX & Miami Executive TMB are nearby airports you can probably get to cheaply. Thanks, Miami Exec was indeed very easy. Fort Lauderdale Exec as well. * * * I didn’t realize ICE operated an airship near Key West. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/428 "2026-09-13T23:36:29Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > I didn’t realize ICE operated an airship near Key West Been there for decades. Belongs to DEA, not ICE. > **[Tethered Aerostat Radar System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tethered_Aerostat_Radar_System)** > > Download coordinates as: The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) is an American low-level airborne ground surveillance system that uses aerostats (moored balloons) as radar platforms. Similar systems include the EL/M-2083 and JLENS. The aerostats used in the TARS system are large fabric envelopes filled with helium that can rise to an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,600 m) while tethered by a single cable. The largest lifts a 1000 kg payload to an operating altitude providing low-level, downward-loo... > **[Cudjoe Key, Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cudjoe_Key,_Florida)** > > Cudjoe Key is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Monroe County, Florida, United States, on an island of the same name in the lower Florida Keys. As of the 2020 census, the CDP had a population of 2,019, up from 1,763 in 2010. The island was called "Littleton Island" in 1772. The name changed to Cudjoe's by 1849, later shortened to Cudjoe. It may have been named for the Joewood or Cudjoe wood tree (Jacquinia keyensis) which grows on the island. John Viele notes that "Cudjo... ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/429 "2026-09-14T01:07:48Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Been there for decades. Belongs to DEA, not ICE. Thanks. You’re right, it’s not ICE. The name was truncated to “U.S. Immig…” and I extrapolated incorrectly. I think it might be part of DHS/CBP nowadays. Here’s a link to someone’s screenshot on Reddit: https://embed.reddit.com/r/SkyCards/comments/1w6obf8/ice_airship_in_key_west/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share There is one currently up in Yuma, AZ. The others aren’t showing on SkyCards right now. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/430 "2026-09-14T13:28:14Z")
There’s a flight headed to Suriname a bit northeast, maybe a couple of hours out: > **[PH-BVV · Boeing 777-300ER](https://skycards.app/flight/B77W/1101470264)** > > 🇳🇱  AMS · Amsterdam    →    🇸🇷  PBM · Paramaribo ---
**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:** [September 14, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/431 "2026-09-14T14:56:10Z")
They get hoisted up and down sorta at random. IME the Cudjoe Key one seems up more than down. You can easily see it from miles away as you travel the highway through the Keys. It appears on aircraft EGPWS displays as a 15,000 tall narrow mountain. Which is kinda surprising to find in Florida / the ocean the first couple times you see it on your screen. “Huh? That can’t be right?!?” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/432 "2026-09-14T15:08:05Z")
We had a tethered aerostat at Cape Canaveral when I worked there. Beyond the danger a hovering aircraft would present, the thousands-feet long presents an invisible obstacle that is especially dangerous. In the Cape’s case this was mitigated by having a general restricted flight area immediately above, though I don’t know how high that restriction went. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/433 "2026-09-14T15:16:29Z")
Here’s what it looks like, BTW: [![](https://cdn2.picryl.com/photo/2014/07/23/cudjoe-keys-florida-tethered-aerostat-radar-system-tars-15178455522-7aa34c-1024.jpg) ](https://cdn2.picryl.com/photo/2014/07/23/cudjoe-keys-florida-tethered-aerostat-radar-system-tars-15178455522-7aa34c-1024.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/434 "2026-09-14T17:14:59Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > OPA has less indigenous bizjet traffic than the other two, but that’s probably immaterial to your goals. I appreciate the recommendation though - I just haven’t unlocked TMB, but it got me looking around and seeing where I could pick that wasn’t MIA itself. > [@CaveMike](#): > > There’s a flight headed to Suriname a bit northeast, maybe a couple of hours out: Thank you! I love this new ability to link directly to flights - I was able to click the link this morning in my email notifications and snag the flight. I also happened to randomly check the Falklands and grab a flight just about to land at Mt Pleasant. So 2 S. American countries added to my list and I haven’t even traveled to another airport yet! ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/435 "2026-09-15T21:35:18Z")
I managed to get the **LLama** trophy this evening, and I didn’t have to use a Catch Anywhere to get Suriname (thanks to FlightAware I caught a flight from nearby Georgetown which I already had). ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/436 "2026-09-16T12:48:15Z")
Might be too late, but there’s a plane landing at Gibraltar now. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/437 "2026-09-17T14:21:22Z")
OPF airport has been a great choice - the range from there covers MIA, Ft Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach airports. I only need Montserrat and Saint Pierre and Miquelon (which I didn’t even know existed) for the Eagle trophy, and then Bolivia and French Guiana for the Llama trophy. I might do some island hopping since they’re so close to Miami and pick up some new plane models I haven’t come across before, and hopefully knock out everything except Saint Pierre. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/438 "2026-09-17T15:09:37Z")
Sorry for the double-post, but I forgot to ask this earlier. Does anyone know if planes are generally kept flying the same route (say MIA-ATL) day after day, or is it regularly switched up? I suppose this could vary by airline as well. Tagging @LSLGuy in case he has time to chime in. In the pursuit of snagging enough unique tail numbers for the Delta/AA/United/SW trophies, I’m wondering if it’s my only opportunity to catch that MIA-ATL plane while I’m in the area, or am I likely to randomly find it flying across country from my “home” location? ---
**Author:** ![blue\_infinity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_infinity/32/2817_2.png) [@blue\_infinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blue_infinity)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/439 "2026-09-17T15:18:17Z")
If you go to the flightrader entry for [Atlanta](https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/atl/departures) airport, and then click on a specific aircraft [registration](https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n349dx), you’ll see where that plane has been going. The one linked above seems to fly from Atlanta to all over the US and then back. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/440 "2026-09-17T16:00:26Z")
I just picked up an X-59 at Edwards AFB, NNE of Los Angeles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818.md?page=23)