# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/161 "2026-07-03T18:24:56Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > For someone who has already the most common US aircraft, any other recommendations on airports to visit to acquire new models? Anchorage can be good, both for new aircraft ( [Canadian models are common](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/144) ) and new airports via flyovers. If you don’t have it yet, finding a flight going to Anchorage can be tricky. ---
**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 3, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/162 "2026-07-03T19:19:10Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > I researched what were the busiest airports in the world in terms of international flights, and IST/Istanbul was way up there. Today I visited at noon EDT and indeed it was a cornucopia of exotic destinations and new fleets. I missed completing its six tasks by just one aircraft. If you think it’s worth it, you can go back before the end of the week, complete that one task, and have free travel there until the week is out. I think the “end of the week” is Sunday night, so I usually try to complete a few airports on Monday and Tuesday so I visit them for multiple days. I think it’s also a good idea to complete airports in different time zones around the world, so no matter what time you play one of my free-to-visit airports will be busy. Found an Albatross and a Corsair near Houston today. ---
**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 4, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/163 "2026-07-04T00:11:03Z")
Some rare birds around Dallas right now. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/164 "2026-07-04T18:36:23Z")
Several military – and military variants of civilian – aircraft around DC today. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/165 "2026-07-04T19:29:29Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > military variants of civilian Air Force 767s, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/166 "2026-07-04T21:59:15Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > aircraft around DC today. > [@Freedom 250 - The Great American State Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/695): > > - 1:14 PM - NASA F-5 Flyover > - 1:24 PM - NASA Fleet Review > - 1:44 PM - USCG Helo Flyover > - 1:54 PM - USCG Fixed Wing Flyover > - 2:09 PM - Golden Knights, Leap Frogs > - 2:29 PM - Army Helo Flyover > - 2:44 PM - USAF Fleet Review - Wave 1 - Heavies > - 2:54 PM - USAF Fleet Review - Wave 2 - AFSOC > - 3:04 PM - USAF Fleet Review - Wave 3 - Fighters > - 3:29 PM - Executive Rotary Wing Airlift > - 3:39 PM - USMC Fleet Review - Wave 1 - Rotary > - 3:49 PM - USMC Fleet Review - Wave 2 - Fixed Wing > - 3:59 PM - USN Fleet Review - Wave 1 - Rotary > - 4:09 PM - USN Fleet Review - Wave 2 - Fixed Wing > - 4:19 PM - USN Fleet Review - Wave 3 - Fighters > - 4:21 PM - USN F-18F Demonstration > - 4:59 PM - USN Blue Angels > - 5:26 PM - USMC MV-22 Osprey Demonstration > - 5:44 PM - USAF Fleet Review – Fighters > - 6:02 PM - USAF Tri-Bomber Formation > - 6:05 PM - USN F-35C Demonstration > - 6:25 PM - USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration > - 7:03 PM - Air Force One Flyover > - 7:07 PM - USAF Thunderbirds Delta Break > - 7:17 PM - HUGE 1 Flyover Led by the Newly Renovated Air Force One > - 7:38 PM - U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover > - 7:39 PM - F-22 Raptor Demo > - 7:53 PM - F-22 Raptor in Afterburner > - 7:59 PM - B-1 Flyover > - 8:07 PM - B-1’s in Afterburner > - 8:11 PM - HUGE ONE Fly Over Review > - 8:22 PM - Golden Knights Twilight Jump > - 10:36 PM - B-1 Afterburner Night Pass   ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/167 "2026-07-04T22:08:49Z")
Couple of B-1 Lancers in the area, one south of the Annapolis airport and another appears to be circling near Patuxent. ---
**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 4, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/168 "2026-07-04T22:31:50Z")
B-29 Superfortress “Fifi” (q.v.) is flying over West Point at this very moment. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/169 "2026-07-06T15:44:55Z")
I’ve had a productive 12 hours. After the 2000 EDT reset last night I picked up SEA Seattle, and this morning I got CDG Paris. Both airports’ challenged were easily obtained in 20 minutes. ---
**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 6, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/170 "2026-07-06T18:05:18Z")
Yesterday’s daily mission included catching an aircraft from Lockheed Martin. I searched on flightaware a few times, and there was nothing. About two hours after the reset, there was a big, fat C-5 right over Boston. Today, I’m trying to get an airport far enough north to catch a flight above the arctic circle. I started from Montreal, and from there I caught a plane going to Kuujjuaq. Pickings are scarce from there. For sentimental reasons, I’d like to get Qikiqtarjuaq while I’m at it. Only four more for the Scarce Master trophy. ---
**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 6, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/171 "2026-07-06T18:10:21Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Curious of the value of the Ford Trimotor – wikipedia says 8 are airworthy, but the EAA one flies quite a bit. There must be a bunch that only fly during Airventure The Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, OH, offers regular Ford Tri-Motor flights for $99. That probably knocks the rarity down a bit. Which reminds me I need to get out there and catch a flight, it’s only an hour from me. ---
**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 6, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/172 "2026-07-06T18:19:56Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Today, I’m trying to get an airport far enough north to catch a flight above the arctic circle. I started from Montreal, and from there I caught a plane going to Kuujjuaq. Yes, I managed to leapfrog my way up to Pangnirtung. From there, the radar reaches far enough north to cross the arctic circle. ---
**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 6, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/173 "2026-07-06T18:22:16Z")
I had a few catch anywheres, so i just used one to snag a Finnair flight over Greenland. Lazy, I know, but I got a free airport travel reward out of it! ---
**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 6, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/174 "2026-07-06T18:37:14Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > I had a few catch anywheres, so i just used one to snag a Finnair flight over Greenland. I thought of that, but there were a couple other things I could get at the same time. There’s a particular model of Dash-8 that services those northern Canada airports, and there’s a trophy for getting 10 airports north of the arctic circle. ---
**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 6, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/175 "2026-07-06T23:39:42Z")
They have recalculated the rarity, haven’t they. My current top 5: Bristol 149 Blenheim - 14.06 Osprey GP-4 - 13.85 Rans S-16 Shekari - 13.31 Boeing 737 MAX 7 - 13.03 Avipro Bearhawk Companion - 12.96 ---
**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 7, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/176 "2026-07-07T18:36:35Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > For sentimental reasons, I’d like to get Qikiqtarjuaq while I’m at it. Got it. I am unreasonably pleased. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/177 "2026-07-07T19:14:01Z")
I saw a list of Warbirds at EAA Oshkosh, but it is an image. Here is some I note: A bunch of B-25s A Hu-16 Albatross A Catalina 🤩 A few Mustangs “Doc” (the other airworthy B-29) Mig 29 P-38 Brian ---
**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 9, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/178 "2026-07-09T20:01:24Z")
Holy Fudd, I just caught a Beech Starship. I thought Beechcraft bought them all back and destroyed them. Heading east from Victorville, CA, if anyone wants it. Got the Polar Bear trophy today. Still 2 Scarce planes I don’t have. I’ve been checking flightaware off-and-on, and haven’t seen either of them. ---
**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 9, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/179 "2026-07-09T20:14:57Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Holy Fudd, I just caught a Beech Starship. I thought Beechcraft bought them all back and destroyed them. Heading east from Victorville, CA, if anyone wants it. There are supposedly five left intact and in private hands, with four still airworthy. > **[The Last Beechcraft Starships - Vintage Aviation News](https://vintageaviationnews.com/vintage-aviation/the-last-beechcraft-starships.html)** > > Aerospace Quality Research & Development keeps the last four airworthy Beechcraft Starships flying. Designed by Burt Rutan, the Starship introduced composite construction, a canard configuration, and a pusher turboprop design. AQRD recently hosted an... ---
**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 9, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818/180 "2026-07-09T20:22:36Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > There are supposedly five left intact and in private hands, with four still airworthy. After I caught it, I checked the page for it within the game. It said I’ve caught 1 out of 3. While I was hanging out near L.A., I was hoping to catch a plane landing at Edwards AFB. I saw a few planes with that as their origin, but none with that destination. Yesterday, I finally got a plane heading to Renton airport, near Seattle. That’s where I took my first lessons and my first solo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-current-obsession-skycards-anyone-else-play/1030818.md?page=10)