Like the others, I agree a DSLR is the best option for any kind of aviation photography. The shutter lag on the non SLR types makes aircraft snapping a real chore unless you snap static types.
In terms of focal length, I find the more glass you can put in front, the better. I use a 300mm (35mm format) zoom lens. On the Canon 10d this equates to around 460mm because of the size of the imaging chip.
The benefits of an SLR system are endless, compared to the point and shoot equivalents. This is mainly down to the flexibility offered in terms of creative control and lens interchangeability, yes you can crop, I do but you need a reasonably high pixel count to get away with it, especially when it comes to printing.
I know DSLR’s are perceived as being expensive, that will all change as more and more models come out. I’m paying mine off over a year and don’t regret it for one minute. The money I’ve saved in film and processing more than makes up for the repayments.
As others have suggested, have a look at the broader range of “affordable” DSLR’s out there now, the Canon 300D is an excellent example at around £800. Buy a case or cushion case for it and always use the strap.
If you can’t afford to go down that route then certainly look for a less expensive non SLR model with the highest pixel count and optical zoom you can find, but generally I find these to be unsatisfactory for most aviation shooting situations.
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