Volume 1 — March 2026 : Reading — 1 min.

Planespotters: driven by aviation

Photograph Daniel Villeneuve
Flight test
Rare visit of an Air Inuit aircraft at St-Hubert Airport. This Dash-8 was carrying out an aeromedical evacuation. The symmetry between the aircraft and the ground crew member, dressed in his traditional yellow jacket, is perfect.
Daniel Villeneuve

Known as plainspotters, these aviation enthusiasts position themselves at the edge of runways, cameras ready to capture the magical moment when planes take off and land. One of them is Daniel Villeneuve—director of photography, avid aircraft enthusiast, and part-time pilot himself, he shares some of his most beautiful shots, taken between sky and earth, with Propelia readers.

It is hard for this Piaggio P180 Avanti to go unnoticed. The Italian manufacturer truly designed a uniquely styled aircraft, as can be seen here, at St-Hubert Airport, against the backdrop of the city of Montreal.
Daniel Villeneuve
It is hard for this Piaggio P180 Avanti to go unnoticed. The Italian manufacturer truly designed a uniquely styled aircraft, as can be seen here, at St-Hubert Airport, against the backdrop of the city of Montreal.
This photo of the control tower at St-Hubert Airport is quite misleading. At first glance, you’d think the picture was taken at the end of a beautiful summer day. In reality, it must have been -15 or -20 degrees! My fingers were like ice sticks!
Daniel Villeneuve
This photo of the control tower at St-Hubert Airport is quite misleading. At first glance, you’d think the picture was taken at the end of a beautiful summer day. In reality, it must have been -15 or -20 degrees! My fingers were like ice sticks!
Every time, flights at dusk are magical to me. Here, you can see a transition from day to night, in full climb towards the west from St-Hubert Airport.
Daniel Villeneuve
Every time, flights at dusk are magical to me. Here, you can see a transition from day to night, in full climb towards the west from St-Hubert Airport.
Rare visit of an Air Inuit aircraft at St-Hubert Airport. This Dash-8 was carrying out an aeromedical evacuation. The symmetry between the aircraft and the ground crew member, dressed in his traditional yellow jacket, is perfect.
Daniel Villeneuve
Rare visit of an Air Inuit aircraft at St-Hubert Airport. This Dash-8 was carrying out an aeromedical evacuation. The symmetry between the aircraft and the ground crew member, dressed in his traditional yellow jacket, is perfect.
On the way to Florida, you can see Charleston, South Carolina. While flying along the coast, you can see these salt marshes with their finely detailed patterns. As small planes fly lower than large commercial carriers, they give us a unique perspective.
Daniel Villeneuve
On the way to Florida, you can see Charleston, South Carolina. While flying along the coast, you can see these salt marshes with their finely detailed patterns. As small planes fly lower than large commercial carriers, they give us a unique perspective.
The Laviolette Bridge in Trois-Rivières, with Lake Saint-Pierre in the distance. When taking a picture, lighting is the secret to success. That is why we favour the early or late hours of the day when flying to take pictures.
Daniel Villeneuve
The Laviolette Bridge in Trois-Rivières, with Lake Saint-Pierre in the distance. When taking a picture, lighting is the secret to success. That is why we favour the early or late hours of the day when flying to take pictures.
Here is the St-Hubert Airport, where I had the pleasure of flying for over 30 years. In the distance, to the right, you can see Mount Saint-Bruno, Mount Saint-Hilaire and Mount Rougemont.
Daniel Villeneuve
Here is the St-Hubert Airport, where I had the pleasure of flying for over 30 years. In the distance, to the right, you can see Mount Saint-Bruno, Mount Saint-Hilaire and Mount Rougemont.
The Richelieu River, looking like a mirror, on the way back to St-Hubert Airport. It is always impressive to see the immense farmland stretching as far as the eye can see.
Daniel Villeneuve
The Richelieu River, looking like a mirror, on the way back to St-Hubert Airport. It is always impressive to see the immense farmland stretching as far as the eye can see.
These aircraft may be over 60 years old, but the Snowbirds still offer a unique spectacle. A clever mix of precision and discipline, resulting in breathtaking aerial feats, as can be seen here in the skies above St-Hubert.
Daniel Villeneuve
These aircraft may be over 60 years old, but the Snowbirds still offer a unique spectacle. A clever mix of precision and discipline, resulting in breathtaking aerial feats, as can be seen here in the skies above St-Hubert.

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Volume 1 — March 2026