# New User - Very Basic Question **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [December 24, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402 "2007-12-24T18:44:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KvnDiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b487fb/32.png) [@KvnDiam](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/KvnDiam)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/1 "2007-12-24T18:44:54Z")
So, I look up in the sky and there is a 4-engine aircraft well above 30,000 ft. making this beautiful crisp contrail. I live near a major airport (LAX) but it was obviously overflying SoCal and heading somewhere else. So, I go to FlightAware thinking I could zoom in on SoCal and look for any high-altitude 4-engine jets moving in that general direction. And I’m presented with these options: 1. don’t zoom at all. 2. zoom in on LAX traffic, but only get arrivals & departures for LAX, not overflights. 3. try and find the flight by selecting its aircraft-type (747 or 340, I presume). The question is - is there a way zoom in on a specific area of the U.S. (like right over my own house) and see all traffic overhead - even if I don’t know the origin/destination or the a/c type? Be kind … I am a n00b. I’ve been on FlightAware for exactly 22 minutes - ever. KvnDiam ---
**Author:** ![damiross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@damiross](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/damiross)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/2 "2007-12-24T18:49:10Z")
Best thing to do is puruse the questions/answers link at the top right. That will answer many of your questions. You may also wish to look through the forum postings. Zoomable maps are in the works. ---
**Author:** ![lancasterperch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/lancasterperch/32/109770_2.png) [@lancasterperch](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/lancasterperch)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/3 "2007-12-24T18:54:53Z")
On local LAX map, blue airplane icons are arr/dep. Green icons are planes overflying your specific area. You should also click on the map on the top right of the initial LAX screen. This will open up a new window an you may better find the plane you are looking for. If there is a lot of local traffic, FA will not display all plane identifiers ( eg. ACA28 A340 / 350 560. Let the screen refresh a few times an you will see your flight as long as it is not blocked or military. Hope this helps a little. …and as **Dami** said. ---
**Author:** ![KvnDiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b487fb/32.png) [@KvnDiam](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/KvnDiam)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2007, 7:23pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/4 "2007-12-24T19:23:42Z")
> [@lancasterperch](#): > > … Hope this helps a little … Indeed it does help. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![wazzu90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bc79bd/32.png) [@wazzu90](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/wazzu90)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/5 "2007-12-24T20:35:00Z")
Also try looking up the nearby airports. Sometimes I can find a plane 100nm from me on my map but not on the map for the airport right under the plane. ---
**Author:** ![robbreid](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/robbreid/32/116488_2.png) [@robbreid](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/robbreid)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2007, 8:43pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/6 "2007-12-24T20:43:50Z")
Here are some sites that may be of interest to you; [LAX Live Tracking](http://www4.passur.com/lax.html) and [Home Page ,](http://www.passur.com/sites.htm) [Live ATC site,](http://www.liveatc.net/feedindex.php) [Flight Info](http://www.antonakis.co.uk/acars.php?page=request), very complex site, click thru the links at top for more info. ---
**Author:** ![pthomas745](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/pthomas745/32/126086_2.png) [@pthomas745](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/pthomas745)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/7 "2007-12-25T15:17:11Z")
But, hey, congratulations. You got Damirossed only 27 minutes in. ---
**Author:** ![flygirljc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flygirljc](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/flygirljc)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 7:31am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/new-user-very-basic-question/4402/8 "2007-12-27T07:31:42Z")
AND - I thought you were Brad Pitt (_nice pic_)!!! 😛