Spotter's Guide to Night Identification
Look here for drawings of the light patterns you will see as aircraft approach your airport in the dark. Civil passenger aircraft only, no GA, bugsmashers or military.
Flight Trackers:
Federal Aviation Administration-- main site
- Aircraft Registry -- so you can figure out EXACTLY what you saw
- Airport Real-Time Status Page -- so you know how delayed it will be
- National Aeronautical Charting Office -- for airport taxi maps