how to tell direction of plane

[gabyjan2291]

is there anyway to tell the direction a plane is going by his id number (as with rr). i live about half way between atl and jax and listen to their weather related course changes. they have good weather radar and i would really like to know if the "cell" is heading my way.

 

[b7spectra]

Nope. The flight numbers just happen to be what they are.

 

[ErikB]

You can take those flight numbers, tail numbers, etc. to http://www.flightaware.com/ and it will show you the planes position, alt, speed, departure airport, and arriving airport.

 

[AndrewC75]

They are also given heading instructions from ATC from time to time.

"Delta 794, turn right to 090" means turn due east.

If they're already flying a heading of 090, they might request a deviation of 20 degrees right for weather, which would put them at 110, or east south east:

Aircracft: "Delta 794, reqest deviation 20 degrees right for weather"

ATC: "Delta 794, deviation approved, 20 degrees right turn to 110".


Or, you could just use a ground-based weather radar from any of a number of sources. My favorite is http://www.wunderground.com

 

[rdale]

Weather radar images don't show planes or their direction of travel...

 

[DPD1]

Once you learn the sectors and associated freqs, you can start to understand what way they are going (or route they are taking) by listening to which freqs they switch to next. It's pretty predictable after a while, since they obviously try to stick to a set method of controlling as much as possible.

Dave
http://www.DPDProductions.com
- Custom Scanner, MURS, GMRS, & Ham Antennas -

 

[AndrewC75]

Weather radar images don't show planes or their direction of travel...

True, but the original poster said:

i live about half way between atl and jax and listen to their weather related course changes. they have good weather radar and i would really like to know if the "cell" is heading my way.

 

[n6766j]

Altitudes

is there anyway to tell the direction a plane is going by his id number (as with rr). i live about half way between atl and jax and listen to their weather related course changes. they have good weather radar and i would really like to know if the "cell" is heading my way.

Certain cruising altitude are assigned for aircraft flying in a particular direction. For aircraft under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and heading North through East to South that altitude is Odd thousands plus 500 feet (e.g. 5500 or 7500). For aircraft flying South through West to North the altitudes are Even Thousands plus 500 feet (e.g. 8500 or 10500)

For Instrument Flight Rules cruising altitudes, the same rule applies without the 500 foot addition. You can see that aircraft flying in opposite directions will (ideally) always be separated by 1000 feet vertically when on the same type of flight plan. Until recently there was a 2000 foot vertical separation criteria for aircraft flying above 29000 feet. That restriction is now only 1000 feet for aircraft properly equipped.

 

[gabyjan2291]

n6766j,thanks so much, your info helps a lot in trying figure out which the planes and their are going,wish i had have looked yesterday. we were under tornado watch and listening to when report of a tornado touching down in omega.
found out today where omega is (10.miles to southwest ) no we werent hit,but it made me really nervous.
a/c were hunting better rides, going around, and i think circling ? bad day yesterday was

 

[bluesman905]

Great site.....thanks for the link.

They are also given heading instructions from ATC from time to time.

"Delta 794, turn right to 090" means turn due east.

If they're already flying a heading of 090, they might request a deviation of 20 degrees right for weather, which would put them at 110, or east south east:

Aircracft: "Delta 794, reqest deviation 20 degrees right for weather"

ATC: "Delta 794, deviation approved, 20 degrees right turn to 110".


Or, you could just use a ground-based weather radar from any of a number of sources. My favorite is http://www.wunderground.com

 

[MacombMonitor]

is there anyway to tell the direction a plane is going by his id number (as with rr). i live about half way between atl and jax and listen to their weather related course changes. they have good weather radar and i would really like to know if the "cell" is heading my way.

It's been my observation, planes always fly in a forward direction!

 

[blinddog50]

is there anyway to tell the direction a plane is going by his id number (as with rr). i live about half way between atl and jax and listen to their weather related course changes. they have good weather radar and i would really like to know if the "cell" is heading my way.

Try going to www.ATCmonitor.com

In the area you live in it might be especially helpful.

 

[gabyjan2291]

malombmonitor i almost fell out of my chair when i read your reply. now ive got this picture of these big jets flying backwards.

blinddog50 oh thank you for the link its great!