Practical information: how do real-time airliner tracking sites work?

2024-04-12 17:00:00

Real-time flight tracking sites, such as Flightradar24, use a combination of technologies to collect and display flight data. Here’s how it generally works:

Receiving ADS-B Data: The primary data source used by these sites is the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system. Aircraft equipped with ADS-B transponders continuously transmit signals that contain information such as aircraft ID, position, speed, altitude and other flight data. These signals are picked up by ground-based receivers, often operated by aviation enthusiasts, businesses or government agencies.

Ground Receiver Network: Flightradar24 and other sites like it have an extensive network of ground receivers installed around the world. These receivers receive ADS-B signals from nearby aircraft and then transmit this data to the site’s servers.

Data processing: Raw ADS-B data received from receivers is processed and combined with other information such as airline flight data and flight schedules to provide a comprehensive and accurate view of the air traffic situation.

Display on an online map: Once the data is processed, it is displayed on an interactive online map, allowing users to track aircraft around the world in real time. Users can often filter flights by airline, aircraft type, airport, or geographic region.

It should be noted that although ADS-B is the primary data source for real-time flight tracking, other sources can also be used to supplement the data, such as traditional radar data, flight plan and airline updates. However, ADS-B has become the de facto standard due to its increasing availability and accuracy.

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