Aviation archaeology, also known as aerospace archaeology or wreck chasing, is a hobby actively practiced throughout the world by both outdoor recreationists and academics in pursuit of finding, documenting, recovering, and preserving sites important in aviation history. For the most part, these sites are aircraft wrecks and crash sites, but also include structures and facilities related to aviation. A hobby is a spare-time recreational pursuit. ... Icarus and Daedalus Humanitys desire to fly probably dates to the first time prehistoric man observed birds, an observation illustrated in the legendary story of Daedalus and Icarus. ...

The hobby dates to post-World War II Europe when, after the conflict, numerous aircraft wrecks studded the countryside. Many times, memorials to those involved in the crashes were put together by individuals, families, landholders, or communities. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... World map showing Europe Europe is one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ...

These wreck sites also became a valuable resource, as the practice of flying vintage aircraft associated with the war grew. Spare parts could be gathered from wrecked aircraft to replace failing equipment in an airworthy example of the same aircraft, hence extending its operational lifespan.

As the hobby grew in size and popularity, laws and regulations were created in some areas to counter problems the hobbyists created, such as trespassing. In the United Kingdom, it is currently illegal to interfere with the crash site of a military aircraft without a government license. In law, trespass can be: the criminal act of going into somebody else’s land or property without permission; it is also a civil law tort that may be a valid cause of action to seek judicial relief and possibly damages through a lawsuit. ...

In the United States, the hobby remains relatively unknown, and enjoys little regulation. However, under the 'Sunken Military Craft Act', it is illegal to disturb the wreck sites of U.S. Naval aircraft and, under NTSB part 830, any aircraft whose accident cause is under investigation. The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is a U.S. government organization responsible for investigation of accidents involving aviation, highway, marine, pipelines and railroads in the United States. ...

References

• (2005) The Wreck Chaser's Bible, 2 vols., Check-Six. ISBN 0976556219, ISBN 0976556227.

See also

• Accidents and incidents in aviation
• Air safety

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Air safety is a broad term encompassing the theory, investigation and categorisation of flight failures, and the prevention of such failures through appropriate regulation, as well as through education and training. ...

External links

• British Aviation Archaeological Council
• The X-Hunters - Wreckchasing at and around Edwards Air Force Base
• Text of the 'Sunken Military Craft Act'
• NTSB 830 - U.S. Accident Preservation Regulations
• National Register Bulletin: Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Historic Aviation Properties
• Over the years, a number of military aircraft have crashed on the Dark Peak area in Derbyshire (UK). There are numerous photographs of the various crash sites on the Dark Peak at High Peak Bob. (The author of the site lives nearby in the Glossop area).