Identifies aircraft overhead in real-time using ADS-B data, free and web-based.
Product memo
Tinfoil Pigeons provides a free, no-account web tool for identifying aircraft overhead. It leverages ADS-B broadcasts to display real-time flight data on a retro radar scope. Users can search by postcode or use their location to see flights, then tap blips for details like aircraft type, airline, and route, even for military or private flights. This approach removes friction for plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts.
For who
Anyone curious about aircraft overhead
Solves what
Identifies aircraft flying overhead in real-time using ADS-B data.
- Live radar scope
- Aircraft identification
- Global search
In their own words
A live radar of the aircraft above you.
Enter a postcode, town, or city — anywhere in the world — or use your location, and see the aircraft overhead right now. Tap one to find out what it is.
TAP ANY BLIP TO SEE WHAT IT IS.
Commercial cues
Model
free only
Free tier
Yes
Trial
No
Pricing Strategy
The tool is completely free, offered as a public utility for plane spotters and aviation hobbyists.
- • No-cost access removes all friction for users and encourages broad adoption.
- • A retro aesthetic appeals directly to a niche hobbyist audience.
- • Free tier lowers testing friction.
Operator context
Operating setup
Team
Indie / lean
LLM classification
Founded
Jun 2026
Platform
Web app
Audience
General
Tech stack
Builder Strategy
- Strategy Type
- Niche Specialist
- Stage
- Bootstrapped Lean
- Effort
- Solo Buildable
About Tinfoil Pigeons Expand
Tinfoil Pigeons offers a free web tool for anyone curious about aircraft overhead. It identifies planes in real-time by leveraging ADS-B data, displaying flight information on a retro radar interface.
Users can perform a global postcode search or a location-based search to see live aircraft radar. Tapping any blip reveals details like aircraft type, airline, and route.
This as a no-cost, no-account utility makes Tinfoil Pigeons an accessible resource for plane-spotting and general aviation interest.