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Flightradar24 – how it works

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Re: Flightradar24 – how it works

#41

Post by treahauet »

cm2187 wrote: post #31

And what do they do above oceans? Interpolate? Or are there fallback sources of flights positions?

This article suggests that positions are estimated when the aircraft isn’t in a coverage area. https://thepointsguy.com/2017/09/how-flight-tracking-sites-w...

It’s also worth noting that FlightAware has partnered with Aireon (owned by Iridium according to Wikipedia) to put ADSB receivers on satelites that were launched with Iridum’s NEXT satelite constellation in low-earth orbit. Sounds like that data is not yet included in the free data FlightAware provides on its website, but is available commercially. https://flightaware.com/commercial/aireon

Re: Flightradar24 – how it works

#43

Post by dzhiurgis »

kaybe wrote: post #26
RivieraKid wrote: post #22

Not a big fan of "data monopolies" like Flightradar24. It's as if OpenStreetMaps was a private company that capitalizes on being first into the space and having a community of contributors willing to supply data to a private company for free. I hope an open data project such as https://www.adsbexchange.com/ wins in the long-term.

Is there an open version for ship data as well?

It seems possible to make AIS receiver using RTL-SDR + RPI. I am about to make it, there's a couple of guides online.

Re: Flightradar24 – how it works

#44

Post by Rebelgecko »

RivieraKid wrote: post #22

Not a big fan of "data monopolies" like Flightradar24. It's as if OpenStreetMaps was a private company that capitalizes on being first into the space and having a community of contributors willing to supply data to a private company for free. I hope an open data project such as https://www.adsbexchange.com/ wins in the long-term.

There's also https://opensky-network.org/

Their API is actually a bit more open than adsbexchange's

Re: Flightradar24 – how it works

#46

Post by RivieraKid »

spookthesunset wrote: post #32
RivieraKid wrote: post #22

Not a big fan of "data monopolies" like Flightradar24. It's as if OpenStreetMaps was a private company that capitalizes on being first into the space and having a community of contributors willing to supply data to a private company for free. I hope an open data project such as https://www.adsbexchange.com/ wins in the long-term.

Flightradar24 is probably one of the better flight trackers out there. It is well supported and has a polished easy to use interface. They are only a “data monopoly” because they are good at what they do.

Not sure if you mean easy to use interface for contributors or for users. I can only judge the second, and the website is "meh"... it's kind of slow and the UI and design is underwhelming.

In any case, being good at what they do definitely helps, but network effects is also a factor. They have the best data coverage, therefore new contributors will mainly chose them over a hypothetical competitor with a slightly better support and user interface.

This discourages new competitors to even try entering the market, which has the usual downsides of a monopoly market such as less innovation.

Re: Flightradar24 – how it works

#48

Post by pjc50 »

samstave wrote: post #17

You know what would be a fun experiment with this: Would be to specifially watch all the planes that fly in and out of a large notable event; such as the superbowl, or davos, g-20 summit etc - and see where all thise private jets come from to get to that event...

.. or a small war. https://yorksranter.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/ex-viktor-bout-...

Re: Flightradar24 – how it works

#49

Post by chancecarey »

dzhiurgis wrote: post #43
kaybe wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there an open version for ship data as well?

It seems possible to make AIS receiver using RTL-SDR + RPI. I am about to make it, there's a couple of guides online.

AIS isn’t long range though. You’d need an incredible amount of base stations for any sort of decent coverage of frequented areas.
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