Aircraft Targeting Issue

[treadasaurusrex]

In a recent shared play, we encountered an interpretation question relative to whether or not units in clear terrain adjacent to an assault hex containing leaders of both sides would be considered "spotted" for purposes of targeting air strikes.

Rule 15.11 states that: "Aircraft may potentially attack any hexes on the board as they have unlimited range. However, they are prohibited from attacking unspotted enemy pieces located in limiting terrain and all hidden units (see Optional Rules)."

One of us has always interpreted this as meaning that only enemy units that are spotted by a friendly leader may be attacked by aircraft, along the lines of the existing spotting rules for OBA bombardments. The other player, interprets this rules as meaning that it is the attacking aircraft that is doing the spotting, not a friendly leader on the map board. Hence a unit in CLEAR terrain may be attacked by aircraft without needing to be spotted by a friendly leader.

What do you all think about this case?