Stansted - Frequently Asked Questions

What information is shown?
Information on arriving or departing traffic from Stansted Airport. This includes the flight number, aircraft type, its height and track.

Where do you get the data information from?
The data that is shown is taken from the NATS radar in which is fed into the airport’s noise and track keeping (NTK) system. Flight data is processed for public display and is intended to show the general location and flow of flights only.

Can you provide information on aircraft that didn’t land at or depart from Stansted Airport?
No. WebTrak can only show Stansted flights. You may see an orange aircraft icon, which is an overflight - this is a flight captured by radar that isn’t a Stansted flight - this happens, very occasionally. For instance, it could be an arrival to Luton Airport or perhaps a departure from Heathrow Airport.

What are the green and red aircraft icons?
The red aircraft are arrivals (flights arriving into Stansted Airport) and the green aircraft are departures (flights leaving Stansted Airport.)

How up to date is the information shown?
WebTrak is not able to be viewed in ‘real time’. To maintain aviation security and to ensure accurate data has been processed, there is a minimum 24-hour to 48 hour delay to the flights you can view. This is enforced by the Department for Transport in the UK.

I have a question about a specific aircraft - who do I contact?
If you have any questions or feedback regarding our aircraft operations then please contact our Noise Communications team on 0800 243 788 or email at stanstednoiseline@baa.com.

What is the definition of height?
An aircraft’s altitude is always quoted as being above mean sea level. In WebTrak heights are shown above ground level, therefore in order to obtain the correct height for Stansted aircraft, 350 feet Must be added to all heights as this is the industry recognised height above sea level for the Stansted area.

Why do some aircraft appear to fly so much lower than others?
It is quite normal for aircraft to operate at a range of heights. It is important to stress that aircraft vary considerably in size and larger aircraft do often appear to be operating lower than others. WebTrak will give a very good idea of how high aircraft are in any particular area.

I have noticed that some aircraft just appear or disappear on the WebTrak display, why is this?
WebTrak shows aircraft that are flying below 15,000 feet. As a result the display will first show aircraft when they descend below this altitude, this can happen anywhere on the display and so some aircraft can suddenly appear, this is quite normal. Where aircraft are climbing, WebTrak will no longer display its track once they climb above 15,000 feet.

How do I know if the aircraft that I have seen was on the right flight path and flying at the correct height?
Air traffic control are in constant contact with all aircraft that operate, and they define their route and heights. WebTrak does not show Noise Preferential Routes (flight paths), therefore, if you feel an aircraft is flying where it should not be, please log your complaint online or contact the Noise Communications team on 0800 243 788.

How can I find out specific details of how Stansted Airport’s flights operate?
Please call the Noise Communications team on 0800 243 788 or send an email enquiry via stanstednoiseline@baa.com.