Sky Watch

UPDATED · ADS-B AND FAA

What is this?

Government aircraft moving at odd hours are the oldest public sign that something is about to happen. We watch a list of military and government aircraft: airborne command posts, executive transports, tankers, surveillance planes and heavy airlifters. We also list the FAA's flight restrictions, with the reason each one gives.

How to read this

Each mark on the map is one watched aircraft in the air. Its shape says its class. Positions are shown as the feed gives them, at least 5 minutes old, and we never guess where a plane is going. The table says whether it is normal for that class to fly at this hour, against a year of history.

A quiet map proves nothing. Military aircraft often fly with no public position, or with it blocked. Only what we see counts. What we do not see is never a sign.

In the air now

24 WATCHED

A quiet map proves nothing.

Every watched aircraft in the air, positions at least 5 minutes old
AIRCRAFTCLASSREGIONBASEAIRBORNE SINCENORMAL FOR THIS HOURBASELINE SCOREREPORTED
58-0027
KC-135R and KC-135T
TankersCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE015D
KC-135R and KC-135T
TankersCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE0471
KC-135R and KC-135T
TankersCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE0472
KC-135R and KC-135T
TankersCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE5E08
KC-46A
TankersCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE5F92
KC-46A
TankersCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE63B8
KC-46A
TankersCONUSnot publicunknown–
169347
P-8 Poseidon
ISRCONUSnot publicunknown–
7CF9CE
P-8 Poseidon
ISRPacificnot publicunknown–
7CF9D4
P-8 Poseidon
ISRPacificnot publicunknown–
AE749F
P-8 Poseidon
ISRCONUSnot publicunknown–
C87F3A
P-8 Poseidon
ISRPacificnot publicunknown–
7CF9C4
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftPacificnot publicunknown–
A41-209
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftPacificnot publicunknown–
AE07D6
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE07D7
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE0801
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE10BB
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftPacificnot publicunknown–
AE1177
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE1236
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE123F
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftEuropenot publicunknown–
AE144C
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE145A
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftCONUSnot publicunknown–
AE145E
C-17 Globemaster III
Strategic airliftPacificnot publicunknown–

Aircraft data from adsb.lol, under the ODbL. ADS-B is graded B2 (usually reliable, probably true): coverage has gaps. Flight restrictions come from the FAA, graded A2 (completely reliable, probably true). Land from Natural Earth.

Flight restrictions

67 LISTED · 45 CAN LIGHT A SIGN

Most restrictions are routine: a VIP visit, a stadium, an air show, a fire. Those are listed and never light a sign. Only security and national defense restrictions count, and only a new one over Washington, DC, or a state capital lights one.

FAA NOTAMs are not read yet: the feed needs keys we do not have. Signs that read NOTAMs are not watched.

Navigational warnings to ships (NGA) are not read yet: the feed sent a maintenance page when we set it up. Signs that read them are not watched.

Every flight restriction, the ones that can light a sign first
NOTAMTYPEWHERE AND WHENREASONRECEIPT
6/6066SECURITYLibby AAF, AZ, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5770SECURITYHOMESTEAD, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5772SECURITYHOMESTEAD, FL, Saturday, November 7, 2026 through Saturday, November 7, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5946SECURITYBATON ROUGE, LA, Saturday, November 7, 2026 through Saturday, November 7, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5999SECURITYSanta Rosa Island, FL, Monday, November 9, 2026 through Tuesday, November 10, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5574SECURITYPalm Beach, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5589SECURITYCape Canaveral, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5087SECURITYHOMESTEAD, FL, Sunday, November 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4688SECURITYSanta Rosa Island, FL, Tuesday, November 3, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4313SECURITYMAYPORT, FL, Monday, November 2, 2026 through Saturday, November 7, 2026 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4116SECURITYGRAND FORKS AFB, ND, Sunday, November 1, 2026 through Sunday, March 14, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2670SECURITYCEIBA, PR, Saturday, October 31, 2026 through Saturday, March 13, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2478SECURITYSAN ANGELO, TX, Sunday, November 1, 2026 through Sunday, March 14, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2481SECURITYClear, AK, Sunday, November 1, 2026 through Sunday, March 14, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2547SECURITYBeale AFB, CA, Sunday, November 1, 2026 through Sunday, March 14, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/0100SECURITYPalm Beach, FL, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 through Wednesday, October 20, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/9954SECURITYU.S. MEXICO BORDER, AZ, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 through Tuesday, October 19, 2027 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/9956SECURITYU.S MEXICO BORDER, TX, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 through Tuesday, October 19, 2027 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/9978SECURITYU.S. MEXICO BORDER, TX, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 through Tuesday, October 19, 2027 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5945SECURITYKey West, FLSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/0708SECURITYGoodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4812SECURITYEl Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2652SECURITYCoyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2656SECURITYCoyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2657SECURITYCalexico, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2520SECURITYS. FINEGAYAN, GUSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/3366SECURITYUSA, Thursday, April 16, 2026 through Sunday, April 16, 2028 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4143SECURITYANDERSEN AFB, GU, Monday, March 9, 2026 through Tuesday, March 9, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/0543SECURITYMCGREGOR, TXSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
5/3678SECURITYBrownsville, TX, Thursday, January 1, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
5/3679SECURITYBrownsville, TX, Thursday, January 1, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
5/3402SECURITYUSA, Thursday, November 6, 2025 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
5/6379SECURITYUSA, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 through Friday, October 29, 2027 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
5/7224SECURITYWASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
5/6914SECURITYSouth Padre Island, TX, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 LocalSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
5/6874SECURITYUSA, Saturday, March 1, 2025 through Wednesday, March 31, 2027 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
4/9383SECURITYWASHINGTON, DC., USASecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
4/9433SECURITYUSA, Tuesday, September 3, 2024 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
4/2565SECURITYUSA, Monday, June 24, 2024 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
4/1789SECURITYUSA, Friday, June 21, 2024 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
2/8783SECURITYUSA, Monday, February 28, 2022 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
0/0367SECURITYUSA, Wednesday, January 15, 2020 UTCSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/8818SECURITYSpecial Notice, USASecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
4/3634SECURITYDISNEY WORLD THEME PARK, ORLANDO, FLSecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
4/3635SECURITYDISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CASecurity. Can light a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/6047HAZARDSHAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, HI, Thursday, November 5, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5390VIPCape Canaveral, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 LocalA VIP movement. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5393VIPCape Canaveral, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 LocalA VIP movement. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5410VIPWest Palm Beach, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 LocalA VIP movement. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5538HAZARDSPAGOSA SPRINGS, CO, Wednesday, November 4, 2026 through Tuesday, November 10, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5052HAZARDS5NM NE FOUNTAIN, FL, Monday, November 9, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/5156HAZARDS10NM SE BERLIN, NH, Tuesday, November 3, 2026 through Wednesday, November 11, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4331UAS PUBLIC GATHERINGTampa, FL, Saturday, November 7, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 UTCA drone ban over a public gathering. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4332UAS PUBLIC GATHERINGOrlando, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Monday, November 9, 2026 UTCA drone ban over a public gathering. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4333UAS PUBLIC GATHERINGRaleigh, NC, Saturday, November 7, 2026 UTCA drone ban over a public gathering. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4390AIR SHOWS/SPORTSSafford, AZ, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Saturday, November 7, 2026 UTCAn air show or a sports event. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4140AIR SHOWS/SPORTSPunta Gorda, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 UTCAn air show or a sports event. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4028AIR SHOWS/SPORTSPensacola, FL, Thursday, November 5, 2026 through Saturday, November 7, 2026 UTCAn air show or a sports event. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4077AIR SHOWS/SPORTSTitusville, FL, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 UTCAn air show or a sports event. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4084AIR SHOWS/SPORTSSan Marcos, TX, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, November 8, 2026 UTCAn air show or a sports event. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/4099AIR SHOWS/SPORTSSomerset, KY, Friday, November 6, 2026 through Saturday, November 7, 2026 UTCAn air show or a sports event. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/3889HAZARDSBAYOU GAUCHE, LA, Thursday, October 29, 2026 through Saturday, November 7, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/1666HAZARDSBROWNSVILLE, TX, Friday, October 23, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/1671HAZARDSBROWNSVILLE, TX, Friday, October 23, 2026 through Friday, November 6, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
6/2698HAZARDSVIEQUES, PR, Monday, January 19, 2026 through Friday, December 18, 2026 UTCA hazard such as a fire, a launch or a flood. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
1/5060SPECIALUSA, Wednesday, September 29, 2021 UTCA special notice. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶
9/2934VIPDALLAS, TXA VIP movement. Listed, never a sign.RECEIPT ▶

Tankers, last 7 days

AGAINST NORMAL
Airborne tankers over the last 7 days, a typical count for each hour (the middle of its snapshots). The busiest hour had 11 tankers. No normal to compare with yet: the baseline is still warming up.
HOURTANKERS UPNORMALRECEIPT
8warming upRECEIPT ▶
11warming upRECEIPT ▶
6warming upRECEIPT ▶
4warming upRECEIPT ▶
3warming upRECEIPT ▶
5warming upRECEIPT ▶
7warming upRECEIPT ▶
7warming upRECEIPT ▶
7warming upRECEIPT ▶
9warming upRECEIPT ▶
9warming upRECEIPT ▶
3warming upRECEIPT ▶
5warming upRECEIPT ▶
4warming upRECEIPT ▶
3warming upRECEIPT ▶
3warming upRECEIPT ▶
3warming upRECEIPT ▶
4warming upRECEIPT ▶
2warming upRECEIPT ▶
1warming upRECEIPT ▶
3warming upRECEIPT ▶
5warming upRECEIPT ▶
9warming upRECEIPT ▶
7warming upRECEIPT ▶

Counted from every adsb.lol snapshot, every 5 minutes, across the five regions. Normal is the middle of the last 52 weeks for that hour of the week. Times show in your own time zone.