A network of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) receivers gathers aircraft data such as callsign, position and speed.

Plane Finder serves to supplement this data with additional information, including aircraft registration/tail number, departure airport, destination, artwork, and photographs.

The FAA feed covers United States and Canadian airspace, including bordering areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

[citation needed] Plane Finder collects data from a centralised FLARM feed, for monitoring small aircraft and gliders.

[8] The BBC cited Plane Finder in regard to the point at which at British Airways flight turned back to Heathrow Airport to make an emergency landing after smoke was seen coming from its engines.