This week on Plane and Simple, we chat with Nitin Sarin, an aviation enthusiast whose passion became his profession as an Aviation lawyer.

• Being a true collector: If collecting were a sport, Nitin would be in line for Olympic gold. He shares more about his legendary collection including rare 1:400 scale models he used to secretly buy on eBay to unique memorabilia like Concorde fan blades and crockery from a repossessed corporate jet.

• Legend of the famous Flight Log: Nitin also reveals the origins of his famous handwritten flight log, which he has meticulously maintained for the past 19 years. What was once a source of suspicion has now become an icebreaker: he hands it to the crew upon boarding and often gets invited to the flight deck—or has the captain come out to greet him.

• "Cracking the Code" of Airliners.net: For many Avgeeks, getting a photo accepted on Airliners.net was a rite of passage. Nitin talks about the emotional rollercoaster of the process—from the elation of an acceptance to the “extreme disappointment” of a rejection after an 11-day wait. We also go deeper into the stories behind his photos, including an eerie shot of a Turkish Airlines crash in the Netherlands.

• The "Golden Age" of Plane Spotting in India: Nitin recalls vivid memories of spotting in Mumbai at the legendary Jari Mari location. He describes the thrill of seeing now-classic aircraft like the PIA 747-200/300 and the Iran Air 747SP. He even hosted the renowned aviation blogger Sam Chui, who was horrified by the spot but blown away by the views. This time, less than 20 years ago, represents a completely different and now-vanished era of Indian aviation.

• Journey into Aviation Law: Nitin talks about what led him to pursue a Master’s in Air and Space Law in the Netherlands, a choice partly motivated by his childhood love for KLM’s iconic blue livery and the proximity to Schiphol Airport.

• First-Hand Experience with Airline Repossessions: Drawing on his professional life, he provides an insider’s view of repossessing aircraft in India—describing it as the “wild, wild west.” He also details the chaos during the Go First insolvency, when parts like sidesticks—the “steering wheel of an aircraft”—were being stripped from planes, requiring him to obtain a court order to stop it.

This episode is a celebration of the obsessions we share as Avgeeks and a reminder that our passion for these stunning birds can last a lifetime.

Nitin's Airlines.net profile: https://www.airliners.net/user/deaphen/profile/photos