FLIGHT AWARE

[bonal]

My wife and i were checking out Flight aware this morning and saw the record of a flight we made back in Jan. gave me an idea. so i started looking at some of your flights.  loads of fun and since most of the forums are of a technical nature i thought i would put it out there.  look and see what were all doing with are cool airplanes.

i saw some really impressive speeds for some of you.

[Skybrd]

I understand it's interesting to google a n number and come up with a site like Flight Aware, but something about putting private information so anyone can access your flights doesn't feel right for me. If they did this with our cars and every where we drove was public access, what would people think. I respectfully think the FAA overstepped their bounds to publish radar and private identity to the public. I'm not sure but think the DMV doesn't have a quick web site with addresses if you google a license place number. When I worked for the federal government , there were certain laws to protect privacy. What happened to them in relation to general aviation. Are their any Congressman reading this, how about restricting private flight data to the public. One FAA person I talked to about this said it was all about them getting money. I wouldn't doubt it, money is quite a motivator.

[DonMuncy]

I have mixed emotions about this. First, I, like you, worry about the idea, and especially in relation to driving. However, I also like to keep up with my friends, and sometimes will track someone's flight. I really can't come up with an answer that satisfies both my thoughts.

[bonal]

I know what you mean when we first googled our Cessna I was none to happy all my info came up.  But lets be honest THEY KNOW EVERY THING ABOUT US ALREADY. I see that you dont have to provide your N on this site so dont. I just thought it was something fun and for me I could see how well me and my bird performed that day.

[MooneyBob]

It is very easy for the bad guys to find out that you have a plane ( so they think you are rich), find out your address and then just wait when you fly away. Pretty easy to figure out.

It is not so easy to get this kind of info by googling the license plate. I think it is very disturbing. Also why should everybody ( including my friends, family, business partners and enemies) know what places I am flying too? Since there is usually only one name attached to the N number they know it's you. Not cool. I don't need FAA to record my plane's performance. I can do that myself. I am the PIC in the plane.

[timpercarpio]

I'm pretty sure you can opt out of FlightAware so your flights will not be available to the public.

[tomn]

You can opt out of FAA providing tracking info to Flightaware or anyone else.  I did this a while back since I fly for business after realizing my competitors could easily get an email from flightaware anytime I file a flight plan and then track me.  This has become a big issue for many businesses.  It takes a month or two to go through.  Here's how to do it:

 

 

 

Tail Number Blocking.pdf

[tomn]

Also, I purchased a SPOT personal locator and signed up for the service.  In addition to having emergency satellite locating, it allows you have anyone YOU choose to be able to follow you on a map on a personal web page you set up through the service. Works great.  

[Mooneymite]

Peculiar what flightaware does and does not track.  Generally IFR, yes.  Pop-up IFR quickie clearances, sometimes yes, sometimes no.  VFR Flight following usually depends on where you are.....(usually 'no' around where I fly VFR).  I've had flights where flightaware tracks for awhile, then I drop off.  It may pick me up later, or not.  Generally, the track stops when you cancel, but not always.  Sometimes when center tells me "radar contact lost", flight aware shows my track just fine.

 

Mysterious.

[Marauder]

 

You can opt out of FAA providing tracking info to Flightaware or anyone else.  I did this a while back since I fly for business after realizing my competitors could easily get an email from flightaware anytime I file a flight plan and then track me.  This has become a big issue for many businesses.  It takes a month or two to go through.  Here's how to do it:

 

 

 

 

I did like Tom and blocked my number. For some reason, one flight managed to get on there...

[Rhumbline]

I understand it's interesting to google a n number and come up with a site like Flight Aware, but something about putting private information so anyone can access your flights doesn't feel right for me. If they did this with our cars and every where we drove was public access, what would people think. I respectfully think the FAA overstepped their bounds to publish radar and private identity to the public. I'm not sure but think the DMV doesn't have a quick web site with addresses if you google a license place number. When I worked for the federal government , there were certain laws to protect privacy. What happened to them in relation to general aviation. Are their any Congressman reading this, how about restricting private flight data to the public. One FAA person I talked to about this said it was all about them getting money. I wouldn't doubt it, money is quite a motivator.

 

Agreed.  I relish my obscurity, anonymity and privacy.  Regardless of the innocence of intent, it always seems to lead to misuse and abuse.

 

I know what you mean when we first googled our Cessna I was none to happy all my info came up.  But lets be honest THEY KNOW EVERY THING ABOUT US ALREADY. I see that you dont have to provide your N on this site so dont. I just thought it was something fun and for me I could see how well me and my bird performed that day.

 

Indeed.  Appallingly, "They" do know too much already.  Consider the freedom of flight; it may well represent the zenith of our freedoms.  When anyone can determine when, where, how fast, how high, etc you've been exercising your freedom, well, that freedom has eroded and you're now subject to that same anyone's scrutiny.   

[MARZ]

Stay clear of controlled airspace and turn off the transponder - problem solved.

[carusoam]

I used this to pick up a friend as he landed at the airport, this week. Of course, he pm'd his tail number to me first.

It was convenient and exact. I like to know when I'm in the right place at the right time.

It has some benefits as well as challenges.

Have you ever seen a salesman snooping through the guest register at the front desk of your company?

If you're a sales guy, you've done this yourself...

If you're a good sales guy...

you assume your competitor was there already...

the next visitor after you, will be the guy that is expecting to get the order...

There is always going to be competition...

You're the guy with a Mooney. That makes all the difference....

Of course, my best customer flew his own Citation.

Best regards,

-a-

[Bryanmooney]

I think the publication of the tracking to the public is ridicelous. That said I like using flightaware and get a kick out of friends tracking me. The day I fill out a form to have my flights blocked because my business is so big or the general public would care is a day I genuinely look forward to, its means im doing something right.

[tomn]

I've had a customer tell me recently that he checked to see what time I would arrive for a meeting since he knew I was flying my plane. He said he was surprised when it came up blocked. I had not given him my tail number and he has never seen my plane and is not very familiar with general aviation. He had taken the time to surf around and find my information on his own and this guy is a good customer that I think highly of. I am not worried about my competitors or customers but I certainly don't need to make it harder on myself unnecessarily. Just remeber that anyone can get an email alert sent to them automatically any time you file a flight plan without you knowing by simply having an account on Flightaware.

Tom

[tomn]

This got my curiosity up. I have never checked but did so just now. I googled my name with the words "airplane registration" added and it came up on the second listing on the first page. Way too easy...

[Skybrd]

You can opt out of FAA providing tracking info to Flightaware or anyone else.  I did this a while back since I fly for business after realizing my competitors could easily get an email from flightaware anytime I file a flight plan and then track me.  This has become a big issue for many businesses.  It takes a month or two to go through.  Here's how to do it:

Thanks Tom. The web site helped, personally, I still think "they should get permission first" for releasing flight information. Lots of people want their flights shown on the internet and they could sign up. Many people don't want it. I have noticed certain Banks do the same and release private information to who ever. They tell you that you can request to be oped out but most people don't know that. It's backward and in my option devious.

[Bob_Belville]

If you all are looking for privacy in 2014 I have a nice lot in Mayberry NC or Lake Wobegon MN to sell you. (My family checks the progress of my flights, they've learned that if I "disappear" it means I've cancelled instruments not lost control on CAVU day.) 

[cujet]

It is very easy for the bad guys to find out that you have a plane ( so they think you are rich), find out your address and then just wait when you fly away. Pretty easy to figure out.

It is not so easy to get this kind of info by googling the license plate. I think it is very disturbing. Also why should everybody ( including my friends, family, business partners and enemies) know what places I am flying too? Since there is usually only one name attached to the N number they know it's you. Not cool. I don't need FAA to record my plane's performance. I can do that myself. I am the PIC in the plane.

 

The upcoming ADSB requirements will track your specific movements anytime you fly, VFR or not. They are specifically tied to your aircraft, your exact position, speed and predicted course (our WAAS GPS accuracy is hovering around 7 feet! ) AND "PM" ADSB requirements are coming (hacker free, can't be turned off, "protected mode" ) . 

 

There was an FAA comment period on this. The FAA openly asked a question about privacy concerns. ADSB is a powerful system, and, unfortunately, it's necessary for next gen navigational requirements. I'd argue the positive separation benefit of ADSB is worth the privacy cost. Knowing that altitude and positional errors "may" be mandatory, computer generated violations in the future. (we are trending that way now) (consider blocking an altitude range when under positive control) 

[N9453V]

There's a lot of misinformation regarding flight tracking on this discussion thread and I'd like to try to clear some of that up. For those who don't know me personally, I previously worked for FlightAware and still help them out on various projects.

 

Even without services like FlightAware, there's a significant amount of publicly available information about an aircraft's movements and their owners/operators. Please consider the following:

1. Aircraft Registration and Leasing information is a matter of public record.
2. Pilot Certifications are a matter of public record.
3. Aircraft Communications are broadcast over unencrypted VHF frequencies that can legally monitored by anyone who wishes to do so in the US.
4. Aircraft can be legally photographed while on public property without permission and private property with permission of the owner of the property.

Most FlightAware tracking data is obtained from the FAA using ASDI (Aircraft Situation Display to Industry), however, they are also now obtaining data using a private network of ADS-B receivers. Anytime you fly IFR and sometimes when you fly VFR (if you receive flight following and the controller creates a flight plan in the national airspace system to facilitate a handoff), your information is including in the ASDI.

 

If you would like your aircraft blocked from display on FlightAware and other flight tracking services, the FAA makes it fairly easy (previously it had to be done through the NBAA's BARR program). You can does this for free simply by writing or emailing the FAA (http://www.fly.faa.gov/ASDI/asdi.html). There are two levels of blocking:

1. Industry level. At this level, your tracking data is still sent to ASDI subscribers like FlightAware, but their LOA with the FAA prohibits them from disclosing your tracking information to anyone who you don't authorize. FlightAware allows you to access your tracking information and designate access to others but requires a copy of the aircraft registration certificate and understandably charges a fee for this.
2. FAA Source level. At this level, your tracking data is NOT sent to ASDI subscribers, but the FAA and US government agencies still have access to it.

With ADS-B, however, this option for privacy goes away, since anyone who buys an inexpensive receiver can read your 24-bit ICAO identifier, ident (tail number or call sign), type, and altitude/position/groundspeed information when you fly in range of their antenna. A NextGen ARC report from 2008 recommended that the FAA treat 24-bit ICAO identifiers as private information, but right now they are still publicly available on the FAA website.

 

If you really want privacy, first of all don't register the plane in your own name or using your home address. Incorporating an LLC or S-corp or C-corp takes a few hours and only costs a few hundred dollars, then have all correspondence sent to a Post Office box. In terms of flying, Fltplan.com for an annual fee will allow you to use a call sign instead of your tail number on IFR flights.

 

-Andrew

[OR75]

And there is the option of turning OFF the Transponder outside the Mode C veil area.

 

Does anyone know if you can turn OFF the ADS-B out when you are GDL-88 equipped or one of those other ADS-B out systems like Navworks and Freeflight ? (without turning off the GPS)

 

I am not sure that will improve Safety

[Yetti]

Flight aware is interesting when you click on the M20 and can see all the Mooneys flying for the day.   You can also know where the Texas Governor is flying the king air today

[ArtVandelay]

And there is the option of turning OFF the Transponder outside the Mode C veil area.

Does anyone know if you can turn OFF the ADS-B out when you are GDL-88 equipped or one of those other ADS-B out systems like Navworks and Freeflight ? (without turning off the GPS)

I am not sure that will improve Safety

Two possible solutions come to mind...

Put the GDL 39 on its own circuit breaker, the GPS might flag it if it doesn't see it, but it should continue to work

You won't get traffic, etc if you can get the manual, there might be a software switch to turn ADSB out, ATC might ask you to turn it off if it gives erroneous data?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Skybrd]

You can opt out of FAA providing tracking info to Flightaware or anyone else.  I did this a while back since I fly for business after realizing my competitors could easily get an email from flightaware anytime I file a flight plan and then track me.  This has become a big issue for many businesses.  It takes a month or two to go through.  Here's how to do it:

Tom, I used the web site you suggested and opted out. It partially worked but flight aware is still showing owners name and where he lives. Those scum bags must have some attitude about this process. Their site responds on a n number inquiry that the owner doesn't want flight information shown and then it shows their name and what town they live in.

[Hank]

Try putting your N number into Google--full registration info, transponder code, full name & address, etc.