Want to know what's flying overhead? There's an app for that
Smartphone Apps Can Help Identify Aircraft in the Sky #
Confusion Over ‘Giant Drones’ in New Jersey Skies #
Residents in New Jersey have reported sightings of what they believe to be large drones flying at night. However, government officials have clarified that at least some of these sightings are actually regular commercial flights.
Several smartphone applications are available to help prevent such misidentifications and provide real-time information about aircraft in the sky.
Features of Flight Tracking Apps #
Apps like Flightradar24, Plane Finder, and FlightAware offer users the ability to view real-time information about aircraft in their vicinity. These apps can display:
- Commercial and private flights
- Helicopters
- Some commercial drones
Users can access a map showing air traffic above their location, complete with details such as:
- Aircraft altitude
- Speed
- Destination
- Airline codes or registration numbers for private aircraft
Some apps even allow users to point their phone cameras at aircraft in the sky, day or night, to receive instant information about the craft.
How the Apps Work #
These applications collect data transmitted by most aircraft to ground stations and other aircraft, known as ‘ADS-B’ data. They also utilize satellites and other data sources to provide comprehensive tracking.
On an average day, Flightradar24 can track over 200,000 aircraft worldwide. The popularity of these apps has grown, with some users turning aircraft tracking into a hobby.
Limitations #
While these apps are highly useful, they do have some limitations:
- Small hobby drones may not broadcast their locations
- Some military and high-profile aircraft, like Air Force One, are blocked from public tracking
Users should also be aware that aircraft are often farther away than they appear to the naked eye, so zooming out on the app’s map may be necessary for accurate identification.