Create: Radars & Immersive Aircraft Compat: Radar Spots Aircraft
Minecraft has evolved far beyond a simple sandbox. For players who love engineering, the game becomes a canvas for complex machinery, steam-powered contraptions, and kinetic energy networks. Two mods that stand out in this space are Create: Radars, which introduces functional scanning stations, and Immersive Aircraft, which brings vintage planes and airships to the skies. What happens when you bridge these two worlds? You get a radar system that actually tracks aircraft. The integration mod known as Create: Radars & Immersive Aircraft Compat: Radar Spots Aircraft makes this possible, adding a new layer of aerial awareness to your builds.
Why This Integration Matters
The core appeal of this add-on is simple: it teaches your ground-based radar to see the sky. Without it, your radar stations are blind to the biplanes and dirigibles flying overhead. With it, every aircraft entering your scanning range appears as a distinct purple marker on the display. This is not just a visual trick; it enables a full tracking system. You can manually lock onto a target or enable auto-lock, allowing the radar to continuously follow a chosen aircraft and feed its coordinates to connected machinery.
The Radar Targeting Filter
The secret sauce is a new item called the Radar Targeting Filter. This filter acts as a bridge between the two mods. When inserted into a radar controller, it teaches the system to recognize entities from Immersive Aircraft. Once active, the radar ignores regular mobs and focuses exclusively on airborne vehicles. The interface gains a new option labeled "Aircraft Targeting," which switches the radar into its specialized mode.
Setting Up Your Air Defense Network
Before you can start tracking planes, you need to have the right foundation. This mod is not standalone; it requires both Create: Radars and Immersive Aircraft to function. Additionally, you will need the base Create mod and its companion library, Flywheel, as they are essential dependencies. The integration mod has been tested on Minecraft 1.19.2 and 1.20.1, so make sure your mod loader, typically Forge, is set up for one of those versions.
Crafting the Filter
The crafting recipe for the Radar Targeting Filter blends components from both parent mods. Expect to use items like processed iron sheets from Create and an aviation compass from Immersive Aircraft. The exact recipe may vary depending on the version you are using, but the concept remains consistent: you are literally teaching your radar a new type of target.
Building the Station
A functional radar station requires at least three blocks: a rotating antenna, a controller, and a display screen. Place the filter into the controller's slot alongside the scanning board. Once you activate the Aircraft Targeting option, the radar will begin scanning for planes. The detection range typically spans from 64 to 128 blocks, depending on the antenna's height and transmitter power. Aircraft within the scan cone show up as purple dots on the display, with their altitude indicated by a separate gauge.
Auto Lock and Coordinate Transfer
The Auto Lock feature is where this mod truly shines. When a target is acquired, you can send a redstone signal to the controller's input. The antenna will then automatically rotate to follow the aircraft, keeping it centered in the beam. This opens up a world of automation possibilities. You can connect the radar to a rotating platform from Create to aim searchlights or other defensive turrets. For players using ComputerCraft, the target coordinates can be exported to a computer network for advanced processing.
Practical Uses in Your World
This integration is a game-changer for tech-focused and PvP servers. Imagine building an airfield where every departing biplane is automatically logged by a dispatch radar. Or set up an aerial patrol system that detects unidentified aircraft and alerts your defenses. In survival mode, it is an excellent tool for keeping track of your own plane during night flights or in foggy weather; the purple marker on the radar screen always shows where you parked your vehicle.
The mod also pairs beautifully with other Create add-ons. For example, you can build an anti-aircraft complex using Create: Big Cannons, with the radar providing target designation. Or create an automated warning system where a siren blares and runway lights flash whenever a target is detected. All of this is possible thanks to the flexible filter and redstone logic that Create is known for.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes aircraft may not appear on the radar even with the filter installed. The most common cause is poor coverage; the antenna must be placed higher than surrounding structures, and mountainous terrain can block the signal. Also, verify that the aircraft is indeed from Immersive Aircraft, as custom flying machines from other mods are not supported. If you use shaders, the radar display might render incorrectly; switching the radar to server tick updates in the Create: Radars config usually fixes this. Finally, be mindful of performance. Tracking a dozen planes simultaneously can strain your server. For larger builds, adjust the radar update frequency in the configuration file.
Final Thoughts
The Create: Radars & Immersive Aircraft Compat: Radar Spots Aircraft mod blurs the line between ground mechanics and air travel. It introduces a meaningful detection system that does more than just draw dots on a screen; it allows you to construct automated targeting complexes. The purple markers, the target filter, and the auto-lock feature all work together to turn separate technologies into a unified ecosystem. If you are a fan of engineering mods and aviation, this add-on deserves a spot in your modpack. To get started, you can download Create: Radars & Immersive Aircraft Compat: Radar Spots Aircraft from your preferred mod repository. Always check the latest version for your loader to ensure compatibility. The installation process is straightforward: place the mod file in your mods folder, ensure all dependencies are present, and launch the game. If you are unsure how to install, most launchers offer a simple drag-and-drop method for mod files. Once everything is loaded, you can begin building your radar station and taking control of the skies. Create: Radars & Immersive Aircraft Compat: Radar Spots Aircraft for Minecraft is a must-try for anyone looking to add a new dimension of gameplay to their world.