quickutilities – Residents in New Jersey are buzzing with speculation over nighttime sightings of what they describe as “giant drones” flying overhead. While the phenomenon has stirred excitement and confusion, government officials clarified that many of these sightings are actually regular commercial flights.
Fortunately, several apps can help users identify what’s flying above them and eliminate the mystery. Popular apps like Flightradar24, Plane Finder, and FlightAware offer real-time tracking of aircraft, allowing users to pinpoint the location, altitude, and type of planes in their vicinity. These apps monitor thousands of commercial flights, private planes, and helicopters across the skies at any given time.
In addition to tracking traditional aircraft, some of these apps also provide insights into unmanned vehicles. For instance, they can identify commercial drones that signal their locations similarly to airplanes. This feature proves especially useful for distinguishing between drones and other aerial vehicles during nighttime sightings.
Flightradar24, a fan favorite, uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology to display detailed flight information. That includes aircraft type, route, and expected landing time. Plane Finder and FlightAware offer similar capabilities with user-friendly interfaces, ensuring anyone can track flights with ease.
Track Planes in Real-Time: Turn Your Smartphone Into an Aviation Radar
With apps like Flightradar24, Plane Finder, and FlightAware—or their respective websites—you can easily transform your smartphone into an aviation tracker. By opening a map of your location, these apps reveal real-time air traffic above you. They provide detailed information about each aircraft. That includes altitude, speed, destination, and even the airline or registration codes for private planes.
Flightradar24 and Plane Finder offer an impressive feature that allows users to point their phone cameras at aircraft in the sky—even at night. The apps then identify the aircraft and share key details, making it feel like a “Shazam” for airplanes.
Flightradar24 is especially popular, tracking over 200,000 aircraft daily. This technology has become a hobby for aviation enthusiasts who enjoy monitoring flights globally. For example, in August 2022, when a U.S. Air Force plane carrying then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan. More than 700,000 people watched the event live through Flightradar24.
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How Flight Tracking Apps Collect and Display Real-Time Aircraft Data
Flight tracking apps like Flightradar24, Plane Finder, and FlightAware gather data transmitted by most aircraft, known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). This information is collected from ground stations, satellites, and other sources to create a comprehensive map of air traffic.
To identify planes using these apps, users may need to zoom out on the map, as aircraft often appear farther away than they seem to the human eye. This adjustment can help clarify which plane is in the airspace you’re observing.
However, not all aircraft are visible on these platforms. Small hobby drones often lack the necessary technology to transmit location data, unlike commercial aircraft. Similarly, some military and high-profile aircraft, including Air Force One, are deliberately blocked from public view for security reasons.
These limitations aside, flight tracking apps remain a powerful tool for understanding and exploring air traffic, giving users access to a wealth of aviation data at their fingertips.
