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Flight Path Detectives

Learn how flight routes are planned and why different types of airspace matter.

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You’ll need

  • Device with access to the internet
  • Pens or pencils
  • A4 paper
  • Printed maps (optional)

Before you begin 

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.  
  • Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help. 

Planning and setting up this activity

  • You will need Internet access and devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for live flight tracking and map exploration.
  • If you don’t have devices or internet access for everyone, you could print resources beforehand.
  • Some websites used for flight tracking and maps may display advertisements. Be aware of this when using them, especially with young people, and consider using ad blockers or pre-printing materials to avoid distractions.

What is a flight path?

A flight path is the route an aeroplane follows in the sky when flying from one place to another. Even though maps might show it as a thin line, a flight path is actually like a wide invisible corridor in the air, where planes are expected to fly.

Planes don't always fly in exactly the same spot. They might be higher or lower, or a little to the left or right, depending on things like:

  • The type of plane
  • How heavy it is
  • The weather
  • The instructions they get from air traffic control (the people who help keep planes safe in the sky)

Sometimes, a plane may need to change its flight path to stay safe—for example, to avoid bad weather like storms or strong winds.

Why Are Flight Paths Chosen Carefully?

Flight paths are carefully planned for safety and efficiency. This means making sure planes:

  • Stay a safe distance from each other
  • Use fuel wisely and don’t waste time
  • Avoid flying too close to busy cities or important buildings
  • Don’t create too much noise for people on the ground

In some places, there are rules about where planes can or can't fly. For example, they may need to stay away from:

  • Schools, hospitals, or quiet neighbourhoods
  • Areas where wildlife could be disturbed
  • Busy airports, to avoid other aircraft

When and Why Do Flight Paths Change?

Sometimes, flight paths need to be changed. This might happen when:

  • There are more planes flying and we need new paths to keep things safe
  • Pilots or air traffic controllers suggest better ways to fly
  • New technology lets planes fly more accurately or use less fuel
  • People living near airports ask for changes to reduce noise
  • There are changes to the airport itself, like a new runway

Any changes must still follow safety rules and be checked by the people who manage air travel in the UK, like the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

 

Airspace & Flight Path Tools

  • An interactive map of the UK showing airspace restrictions (Use prohibited and restricted) - this can be printed. 
  • This can be printed for group discussion or offline reference.

Tracking Websites (Live / Digital Use)

  • These websites are ideal for real-time exploration during the session or for at home/research tasks:
    • Flightaware - Allows you to select a location and view current active flights or past flight routes. You can track ascent, descent, speed, altitude, distance, latitude, longitude, and course direction using the detailed flight log.
    • Flightradar24 - Provides live flight tracking with real-time updates. Displays climbs, descents, turns, speed, aircraft type, and altitude.

For Printing & Offline Use

  • These resources are more suitable for preparing printed materials in advance:
    • Flightpaths: Useful for printing complete flight paths. Shows some restricted airspace areas and the distance travelled.

Internet Safety

  • Note: Some flight tracking websites may display advertisements. When using these with young people, consider using ad blockers or pre-printing relevant materials to minimise distractions.

 

Running this activity 

  1. The person leading the activity should begin by explaining the three main types of airspace and why they are important for pilots:
    • Controlled airspace: Areas managed by air traffic control (ATC) to keep aircraft safely separated. Pilots receive instructions from controllers here.
    • Uncontrolled airspace: Areas where pilots fly under standard rules and communicate directly with other pilots.
    • Special use airspace: Designated zones with restrictions, such as military training areas or no-fly zones.
  2. Explain that pilots and air traffic controllers work together to fly along flight paths that keep aircraft safe, avoid restricted areas, and minimise the impact for people on the ground.

Time to Explore! 

  1. The person leading the activity should split everyone into small groups.
  2. Each group should: 
    • Load up or gather their equipment, whether it is a map, flight tracking app or website. They should spend some time looking and using it. 
    • Once ready they should locate an airport, they could use a major one or one which is by their location. 
    • Find an aircraft flight path which flies to or from that airport.

Your mission: Investigate the flight!

  1. Each group should explore their chosen flight path and try to answer the following:
    1. What type of aircraft is it? (Passenger, cargo, private, etc.)
    2. Where is the plane coming from and where is it going?
    3. Is it a short-haul or long-haul flight?
    4. What’s the purpose of the flight? (Carrying people, delivering packages, etc.)
    5. Where does the plane climb, descend, or change direction? Look out for these especially near cities, restricted areas, or when preparing to land.
    6. Does the plane avoid flying over towns or cities? Why might that be?
    7. Does it fly through controlled airspace the whole way, or cross into uncontrolled or special-use areas?
    8. Can weather, wind, or other factors change its route?
    9. Is the flight path straight or does it take detours? Could it be trying to save fuel, avoid delays, or follow ATC instructions?
    10. How do air traffic control rules shape where the plane can fly?
  2. Once everyone has the hang of it, you could challenge the groups to find the longest or shortest flight path. 

 

Reflection

This activity was all about understanding how flights navigate through different types of airspace safely and efficiently. Some participants might have seen flight tracking apps for the first time, while others may already be familiar with them. Who else might use flight tracking or airspace maps regularly? People might think of pilots or air traffic controllers. How do these people use this information to keep the skies safe?

During the activity, groups had to think carefully about why flights follow certain routes and what factors affect these paths. How did it feel when you figured out why a flight took a particular route? When else could it be helpful to think about problems from different perspectives like this?

This activity also needed teamwork and communication. Did working in a group help you understand the flight paths better, or did it make things more challenging? How did your group make sure everyone’s ideas were heard? Did you notice different people bringing different strengths to the discussion? 

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Online safety

Supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our online safety or bullying guidance. The NSPCC offers more advice and guidance, too. If you want to know more about specific social networks and games, Childnet has information and safety tips for apps. You can also report anything that’s worried you online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. As always, if you’ve got concerns about a young person’s welfare, including their online experiences, follow the Yellow Card to make a report.

  • To make it easier track the same flight as a group, noting down the key details or turning, take-off, landings and controlled airspace. 
  • To make it harder, you could compare a live flight with the weather conditions it had for its take-off and landing. 

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Air Activities Stage 5

Why not try some of other Air based activities such as Moonlit morse?