Your first plane-spotting session.

You do not need specialist equipment to begin. Pick a safe, permitted place with a clear view and start by identifying one aircraft.

Before you look up

• Stay in public or explicitly permitted areas. Respect airport boundaries and local signs.
• Choose a watching spot in Planecast. You can use the map instead of sharing device location.
• Use Nearby to get familiar with the aircraft around you, then open one that matches your view.

Learn one aircraft at a time

Compare the shape, engine position and size with the aircraft type shown in the app. A high jet and a low propeller plane can look surprisingly different from their map icons.

Aircraft and route data can be incomplete. Leave an uncertain identification uncertain rather than forcing a match.

Keep a small journal

Use Spotted when you identify a plane you have actually seen. Your current journal is kept in this browser, so clearing its saved data can remove your sightings. Today's free beta does not synchronize a journal across devices.

Come back with a goal

Use the wishlist to choose an aircraft you want to see. Next time, compare your watching spot, the light and the available nearby traffic. A predicted pass is a possibility, not a guarantee.

Install it for next time

Open Planecast in a supported browser and use its Add to Home Screen or Install option. Availability and wording depend on your device. Keep the website link if that option is unavailable.