Plane Silhouette Quiz

How the plane silhouette quiz works

Each round shows one aircraft from directly above on a radar screen. Choose its name from the options. Every outline is drawn at the same scale, so size is a clue as well as shape. The quiz covers 27 aircraft, from the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 to turboprops such as the ATR 72, plus Concorde and the one-off Antonov An-225.

Levels

On Easy every option looks different, so you can narrow it down by counting engines. Medium adds a look-alike from the same family. Hard gives six options, including two look-alikes, and the aircraft can be flying in any direction. A daily quiz has five aircraft.

How to identify an airliner from above

• Four engines means a jumbo such as the 747 or A380, or an A340.
• Engines at the back point to a regional jet like the CRJ, or an older MD-80.
• Propellers mean a turboprop, such as the ATR 72 or the Dash 8.
• A triangular wing and no tailplane can only be Concorde.
• Check the wingspan against the fuselage length. Long, thin wings point to a modern long-haul twin like the 787.

About the drawings

The outlines are simplified plan views built from each aircraft's published length, wingspan and wing shape. They are approximate and leave out details like winglets.

Frequently asked questions

How many aircraft are in the quiz?

There are 27, covering wide-bodies, narrow-bodies, regional jets, turboprops, Concorde and the Antonov An-225.

Is it hard to tell a 747 from an A380?

From above, the A380 has a much wider wingspan and its upper deck runs the full length of the fuselage, while the 747 has a distinctive hump at the front.

Are the silhouettes to scale?

Yes. All aircraft are drawn at the same scale from their published length and wingspan.

Do I need to know planes already?

No. Easy mode uses very different aircraft, and the tips above will get you started.

How many aircraft per daily quiz?

Five.

Does it cost anything?

No, it is free and needs no sign-up.

More ways to play

There is also a longer Plane Spotter guide with aircraft facts.

This quiz is the Plane Spotter game from GeoKnow. Read the Plane Spotter guide for strategy, or open the Plane Spotter game page. Related quizzes: Airport code quiz, Country outline quiz, Guess the country. Browse all geography games or today's daily geography games.