Private Flight Tracker

When flying private, the ability to track a private plane will vary depending on location and routing of the flight, the type of private flight filed by the pilots, and whether or not the aircraft tail number is blocked from tracking by the owner/operator of the plane.

There are additional variables that will play into the accuracy level of the tracking, which is mainly based on which technology is available in the geographical area of the trip.

While we have no control over technology in certain locations, weather, or airport delays, the Air Charter Advisors will make the best efforts to inform your loved ones, business associates, and ground transportation providers when you are expected to have any delays or expected to arrive early.

How are Private Planes Tracked?

There are dozens of government and private sources of data including the air traffic control and the private networks of ADS-B and Mode S receivers that track ADS-B or aircraft equipped with Mode S that will help us to keep you up to date of aircraft movements and positioning.

Please note that most of these Private Flight Tracking technologies are within the USA – many other countries throughout the globe do not currently allow these types of networks and therefore tracking aircraft outside the USA is a much more difficult task, and in many cases not possible.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast which in aviation is known as “ADS-B” is essentially airplanes that are furnished with a technology to emit their location. Mode S equipped airplanes can be followed via multilateration (MLAT) when the signal is received by three or more receivers. These signal receivers are positioned at airports around the world and act as a network to connect the dots.

How to Track a Private Flight

One of our future goals will be to develop Private Flight Tracker which will allow our clients to locate charter planes as they fly. In the meantime, if you are interested in locating a private jet, visit FlightAware and follow the instructions below with the aircraft tail number.

Tracking a Private Plane

1. Go to » FlightAware.com (no login required)
2. Enter the tail number of an aircraft, and click “TRACK FLIGHT”
3. You can now follow the aircraft on the map, with its flight data located on the the right

Automatic Updates

You can also set up automatic notifications to be sent directly to your inbox or cell for departures, arrivals, delays, cancellations, and diversions. Automatic notifications require creating an account, and is a free service offered by FlightAware.

1. Create an account or login at » FlightAware.com
2. After logging in, enter the tail number and click “TRACK FLIGHT”
3. Aircraft routing will appear on the map with flight data on the the right
4. Create an automatic notification by clicking “Get notified of the flight’s activity”
5. Steps 1 & 2 are generated automatically. You can manually change settings in “advanced” detailing triggers for origin, destination, aircraft type, and minutes before arrival
6. In Step 3, click the box to the left of your email address. Mobile email (cellphone text) is optional and listed under “Friend’s email” (setup of mobile email maybe necessary)
7. In Step 3, click the drop down arrow on the right side and select “Meeting the Flight” for the types of alerts (On the Flight, Operating the Flight, and Advanced Options)
8. Click the “Setup Alert” button in the lower right corner, and confirm your notification are correctly set

Please do note that not all planes can be tracked, and in many cases the data provided is not accurate and may have a delay of up to 15 minutes.

Additional Ways to Track Private Flights

In addition to FlightAware, several notable flight tracking platforms provide comprehensive and real-time aviation data, including Flightradar24, AirNav Radar, and ADSB Exchange – all three of these platforms allows users to zoom into an airport to see planes taxing, in addition to aircraft in flight.

FlightRadar

Flightradar24 is a digital platform—accessible both via its website and mobile app—that offers live tracking for thousands of private & commercial aircraft around the globe. It displays key flight details such as trajectories, speeds, altitudes, and estimated arrival times. The service compiles data from a variety of sources including ADS-B, MLAT, satellite feeds, and radar systems, while also incorporating scheduled flight and status updates from airlines and airports. This integrated approach enables users to experience a comprehensive and interactive view of real-time air traffic.

AirNav Radar

AirNav Radar, formerly known as RadarBox, is an advanced flight tracking platform that provides real-time data on both commercial and general aviation flights by aggregating live information on airport activity, weather conditions, and aviation news to deliver a comprehensive view of air traffic; its notable features include an Airport View for monitoring current flight traffic and weather at specific airports, a Runways in Use function that indicates which runways are active for takeoffs and landings, a Playback feature that allows users to review historical flight and air traffic data, and a Data Stream API offering real-time metrics such as flight numbers, call signs, speeds, and altitudes, making it a valuable tool for air traffic controllers, plane spotters, small airlines, and major air navigation service providers.

ADS-B Exchange

ADSB Exchange, something referred to as ADSBx, is a flight tracking platform managed by a community of volunteers that gathers and presents live aircraft data transmitted via the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system. It utilizes a worldwide network of volunteer-operated receivers to collect information from commercial, private, and occasionally military aircraft, providing a transparent and comprehensive view of air traffic that serves aviation enthusiasts, researchers, and professionals.

Blocked from Tracking

Aircraft registration is public information in the USA, making it easy to find a locate and track a US-registered plane by it’s tail number, and find out who owns it.

For this reason, many HNWI and corporations choose to register their aircraft offshore in locations like Aruba (P4), Bermuda (VP or VQ), Cayman Islands (VP), Isle of Man (M) and San Marino (T7).

Even if it’s registered in the United States, you might not be able to track the plane if the operators or owner of the aircraft disables tracking for privacy purposes. There’s also new European data regulations that prohibit flight following on certain aircraft.

If you are unsure how to track a particular flight, or find yourself having trouble tracking an airplane, don’t hesitate to contact us – we are here to help!