Is ther an advantage to using patrolling aircraft?

[screeg]

I never have. I just launch when the threat arises.

[MrPyro]

If you see a lot of events being spawned on the map just outside your radar area, you can send a plane to patrol the area and try to track down the UFO.

I rarely use it either, because I normally have my hands full enough with UFOs in my radar range.

[Dranak]

You can also reveal alien bases that way, if a region is losing funding daily then it has an alien base in it, which can be revealed by flying aircraft over the base. This is less of an issue now that bases are auto-detected after five days.

[Jean-Luc]

I've used events to track and intercept UFOs outside the radar range so I'd say it's worth it. Foxtrots are much better at it due to higher speed and range.

[b_ace]

How do you send out a plane on a patrol? I can't seem to figure it out- I can obviously intercept targets, but how do you send them to a random area?

[Max_Caine]

Click on "Launch Interceptors", then pick the aircraft you want to use, then click the destination on the map you want to go.

[MagnusF]

I never have. I just launch when the threat arises.

In addition to what the others have said, Patrolling is also useful for UFOs that have landed. If the UFO takes off while your dropship is en route, it might decide to try shooting down your dropship.