Help & Reference - State Aircraft Tracker

Quick Reference ▼

ICAO Hex

Unique 6-character aircraft ID (like a license plate)

Callsign

Flight identifier used for radio communication

Squawk

4-digit transponder code for ATC identification

Registration

Tail number painted on the aircraft (N-number in US)

ADS-B

System that broadcasts aircraft position via GPS

Mode S

Transponder protocol - broadcasts ID but not always position

ATC

Air Traffic Control - ground-based controllers managing aircraft

Aircraft Identification Codes ▼

ICAO 24-bit Address (Hex Code)

Also: Mode S address, ICAO hex, hex code

A globally unique 24-bit identifier assigned to every aircraft. Displayed as 6 hexadecimal characters. This is the most reliable way to identify an aircraft - it never changes and is hardcoded into the transponder. Think of it as the aircraft's permanent "license plate."

Examples

AE1234 (US Military) · 3C4B2A (German) · 780123 (Chinese)

Callsign

Also: Flight ID, radio callsign

The identifier pilots use for radio communication with air traffic control. Unlike ICAO hex, callsigns can change between flights. Commercial flights use airline code + flight number (UAL123). Military often uses tactical callsigns (REACH, DOOM, COBRA) or unit identifiers.

Examples

REACH435 (USAF cargo) · NAVY42 (US Navy) · RCH201 (Air Mobility Command)

Registration (Tail Number)

Also: N-number (US), reg, tail

The alphanumeric code painted on the aircraft's tail/fuselage. Follows country-specific formats. In the US, civilian aircraft use "N" prefix (N12345). Military aircraft often have serial numbers instead (like 92-1234 for a 1992 aircraft, serial 1234).

Examples

N12345 (US civilian) · G-ABCD (UK) · 92-0553 (USAF serial)

Squawk Code

Also: Transponder code, squawk

A 4-digit octal code (0-7 only) set by pilots, usually assigned by ATC. Used for identification on radar. Special codes have specific meanings. Can change many times during a single flight.

Code	Meaning
7500	Hijacking in progress
7600	Radio failure (NORDO)
7700	General emergency (mayday)
1200	VFR flight (US) - visual flight rules, no flight plan
1000	IFR flight (Europe) - instrument flight rules
2000	Oceanic crossing / entering controlled airspace
0000	Military (often) - discrete military operations
4xxx-5xxx	ATC-assigned discrete codes

ICAO Type Code

Also: Aircraft type designator

A 2-4 character code identifying the aircraft model. Standardized by ICAO for flight plans and ATC.

Examples

B738 (Boeing 737-800) · C17 (C-17 Globemaster) · F16 (F-16 Fighting Falcon) · H60 (UH-60 Black Hawk)

How Aircraft Tracking Works ▼

ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast)

Modern surveillance technology where aircraft automatically broadcast their GPS position, altitude, speed, and identification. "Automatic" = no pilot action needed. "Dependent" = relies on onboard GPS. "Broadcast" = transmitted to anyone who can receive it (including hobbyists with $20 receivers).

ADS-B Out: Aircraft transmits its position (what we track)
ADS-B In: Aircraft receives other aircraft's positions (traffic awareness)

Mode S Transponder

The underlying transponder technology. All Mode S transponders broadcast the aircraft's ICAO hex address and can respond to radar interrogations with altitude. However, Mode S alone does NOT include GPS position - that requires ADS-B Out capability.

Why some aircraft show "NO POS": They have Mode S (so we see their ICAO hex and maybe altitude/callsign) but either don't have ADS-B Out, or have it disabled for operational security.

MLAT (Multilateration)

A technique to calculate aircraft position using the time difference of signal arrival at multiple ground receivers. Requires 4+ receivers to "see" the aircraft simultaneously. Used to track aircraft without ADS-B Out. Less accurate than ADS-B and requires good receiver coverage.

Why Military Aircraft Often Lack Position

Many military aircraft intentionally operate with reduced ADS-B capabilities:

• OPSEC: Operational security - don't want adversaries tracking movements
• Mode S only: Broadcast ID for safety but suppress position
• Selective availability: May enable ADS-B only in civilian airspace
• Exemptions: Military often exempt from ADS-B mandates

This is why you might see "93 aircraft detected" but only "36 with position" - the others are saying "I exist" without revealing where.

Aircraft Categories ▼

Category Color Coding

Aircraft are categorized by their operator/mission type and color-coded by priority:

Color	Categories	Description
RED	Dictator Alert, Governments	Head of state aircraft, government VIP transport
PURPLE	Oxcart, Special Forces, Gunship	Spy planes (U-2, RC-135), special ops, AC-130
BLUE	USAF, Navy, Marines, RAF, etc.	Standard military aircraft by branch/nation
CYAN	Unknown	Military aircraft not in our database
GRAY	Police, Historic, Other	Law enforcement, vintage military, other interesting

Unknown Aircraft

Aircraft detected via the military ADS-B feed that aren't in our database. These are confirmed military (the feed only includes military aircraft) but we don't have details about their operator, type, or mission. Often interesting finds worth investigating via their ICAO hex.

Data Sources ▼

📡

ADSB.One API

Real-time ADS-B position data aggregated from a global network of volunteer-operated receivers. We use the /v2/mil endpoint which filters for military aircraft specifically. Updates every few seconds. Free, community-driven data source.

adsb.one →

✈️

Plane Alert Database

Curated database of interesting aircraft ICAO hex codes with operator info, aircraft type, category, and photos. Includes government, military, and special interest aircraft. This is how we know what each aircraft is and who operates it.

GitHub →

🗺️

OpenStreetMap + CARTO

Map tiles from CARTO's dark matter basemap, built on OpenStreetMap data. Provides the dark-themed map background for our terminal aesthetic.

📷

Images & External Links

Aircraft and location images are primarily sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons (public domain or Creative Commons licensed). External links point to Wikipedia articles for detailed information and Google Maps for location coordinates.

Common Military Terms & Callsigns ▼

Common USAF Callsign Prefixes

Callsign	Typical Use
REACH	Air Mobility Command cargo/tanker flights
RCH	Air Mobility Command (short form)
DOOM	B-52 bomber flights
DEATH	B-1 bomber flights
COBRA	Various fighter/attack missions
EVAC	Medical evacuation flights
SAM	Special Air Mission (VIP transport)
EXEC	Executive transport
KNIFE	Special operations
JAKE	E-3 AWACS

Aircraft Type Abbreviations

Prefix	Meaning	Examples
F-	Fighter	F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35
B-	Bomber	B-1, B-2, B-52
C-	Cargo/Transport	C-17, C-130, C-5
KC-	Tanker (Cargo)	KC-135, KC-10, KC-46
E-	Electronic/Special	E-3 AWACS, E-8 JSTARS
RC-	Reconnaissance	RC-135 Rivet Joint
U-	Utility (often recon)	U-2 Dragon Lady
P-	Patrol (Maritime)	P-8 Poseidon
H-/UH-/MH-	Helicopter	UH-60, MH-53, HH-60
V-	VTOL/Tiltrotor	V-22 Osprey

Tips & Tricks ▼

Keyboard Shortcut: Press SPACE on the map to toggle aircraft labels.

Watchlist: Click the star on any aircraft to add it to your watchlist. Your watchlist is saved in your browser and persists between sessions.

Focus on Aircraft: Click any aircraft card in the sidebar to center the map on it.

Trail History: Enable trails and use the slider to see up to 50 historical positions.

Investigating Unknown Aircraft: Copy the ICAO hex and search external databases like ADS-B.nl or ADSBexchange for more details.

// HELP & REFERENCE