We have already talked about the interesting and useful service Flightradar24 in. Now comes the turn of the mobile application, which is available for iOS, Android and even Windows Phone. There is both a free version with basic functions (in particular, displaying aircraft on the map), and a full Pro version, which is priced at a very modest amount that is adequate for its usefulness.
So what can the application do? Firstly, this is, in fact, a display on the map of currently flying aircraft equipped with an ADS-B transmitter. Based on data from it, current coordinates (including altitude) are available, and, as a result, vertical speed and speed relative to the ground, flight number (and, accordingly, route), as well as board number and transponder code (Squawk). The latter is needed so that it is possible to track, first of all, the emergency codes of the transponders, which the crew sets when an emergency situation occurs on board (for example, during the hijacking of an aircraft). Accordingly, there is a notification function about such situations.
You can also view the “cockpit view” of the aircraft - in fact, this is just a projection of satellite images, the angle of which is selected taking into account the altitude and direction of flight. Since determination of coordinates and transmission of data from transponders can occur (and does occur!) with a delay and error, the picture sometimes begins to “jump”.
However, much more interesting (and this function is only available in the application, and not on the web version of the service) is the “augmented reality” mode, when turned on you can point the camera of your smartphone or tablet at the sky, where, as you see, the plane is flying... and All data about the flight and the plane itself will appear on the screen next to this plane. It seems like a miracle, but in fact everything is simple: your location is known using GPS data. Based on information from the compass and tilt sensors built into the mobile device, it is clear where the camera lens is currently pointing. Next is a simple calculation - and an elementary comparison of the available data.
Secondly, the application has a convenient search for flights, airlines and airports. Of course, it is most focused on spotters (like, in fact, the entire service and application), but thanks to it, an ordinary passenger can keep track of when his plane will actually arrive (relevant when flying from somewhere to the home airport); and those who don’t fly anywhere at all can keep track of when to meet their long-awaited relatives, and at the same time be aware that they have successfully flown to some distant Dominican Republic (after all, a disguised aerophobe is alive in almost all of us!).
For an additional fee, you can enable the “Airport Display” function in the application, which displays the actual (as well as predicted based on real flight data) departure and arrival times of all flights at the airport (you understand that the information on airport websites is far from up-to-date). To indulge yourself, you can also buy, for example, a set of airplane icons, then their silhouettes will vary depending on the type.
Having boarded a plane with our family or friends, we all worry that the plane will land at its intended location without incident. The time waiting for news drags on endlessly, and therefore it is much more convenient to control the progress of the flight online from the screen of your gadget.
For those who know how to track a plane in real time by flight number, this does not become a problem. There are special services that directly track the movements of airliners around the globe in real time, for example:
Real-time flight tracking technology by flight number
Today, a unique ASD-B technology is used to track flights, which allows not only to find out the coordinates of the aircraft on the map, but also to see the altitude gained and the speed at which the airliner is flying. In other words, it is a radar that is used to track the movements of aircraft in the sky, based on the data of which services are created that help track flights online.
One of the most popular and accurate services using ASD-B technology is flightradar24.com. Live flight tracking can also be seen on flightaware.com, planefinder.net and others. Flytradar24 does not work in Russian, but the functionality of the site will be intuitive even for a beginner. Full functionality is available at https://www.flightradar24.com
The user who opens will be able to watch planes fly in real time, and it does not matter which airline operates the flight. Airliners on the map are displayed as yellow moving icons; by clicking on one of them, you can get additional information about the flight:
- Aircraft number;
- Airplane route and coordinates;
- Place of departure and final destination;
- The airline that owns the aircraft;
- Flight time (passed and remaining);
- Altitude gained;
- The speed at which movement occurs.
Additionally, you can even find out the weather conditions of a specific location on the map.
When you click on the aircraft icon to obtain detailed information, it will change its color to red, and the flight route will be displayed as a blue line. The flight map is updated every second, so the icons are constantly changing their location.
How to track a plane by flight number?
Also on flytradar24 it is possible to track a plane online by flight number. To do this, you just need to enter the number in the search box - it is located in the upper right corner of the screen. The site will show all flight options with this number, from which you need to select the one you are interested in and click on the aircraft icon. An interactive map will appear on which you can track the aircraft online at the moment.
The resource can also show the routes of airliners that have already landed. In addition, you can find an aircraft by tail number (aircraft) or by city/airport of departure or arrival.
Mobile phone application
You can also track the plane online through a mobile application - the site has links for owners of IOS devices (cost $3.99) and Android (purchase cost 149 rubles), through which you can buy the flightradar24 application and monitor the movements of the airliner directly from your smartphone or tablet. The interface is quite convenient and will also be understandable even to those who are encountering this technology for the first time.
Real-time flight tracking by flight number is a feature that is incredibly useful today. You don’t have to worry about your loved ones on board the plane, but can calmly watch the flight on an interactive map at any convenient time.
FlightRadar | History and description
In 2007, the Swedish company Travel Network developed a system for tracking aircraft in the air in real time Flightradar24. The radar operates 24 hours a day. The data received by the system is displayed on a map and allows you to see aircraft online all over the world - a map of aircraft flights.
When you select an aircraft on the map, the system displays a list of its data, including:
- type of aircraft and its photograph,
- tail number and airline affiliation,
- place of departure and landing,
- altitude and speed at the moment,
- geographical position in degrees,
- distance traveled from the departure airport and other data.
The system also supports aircraft search by flight number.
The database is updated every few seconds, and the positions of all aircraft on the map are updated. The collected data is stored in the system’s memory for 28 days, allowing you to track not only current flights, but also those that have already completed. This Flytradar24 has become very popular in our time. People use it for certain tasks - to track a flight, or they are simply interested in watching planes online on the radar.
How Flytradar works
Almost all recent generation aircraft use a method of receiving flight information from the aircraft using an ADS-B transponder. This allows you to track the movement of cargo and passenger aircraft in different parts of the globe. However, the system does not track aircraft that are not equipped with this transmitter.
Currently, no more than 60% of aircraft in the world (less than 30% in the USA, but more than 70% in Europe) are equipped with this device, but their number is constantly increasing.
What is the coverage area of the Fly Radar system?
Aircraft Map - The Flytradar system uses more than 500 transceiver stations that communicate with the ADS-B transponder. They collect information from all aircraft in the air equipped with ADS-B transponders and transmit it to the system's central server, which, after processing the data, displays the position of these aircraft on a map in real time.
Of course, aircraft without ADS-B transponders, or those outside the coverage area of the station network, are not displayed on the service map. More than 90% of Europe is covered by a network of stations; coverage is also present in North and South America, Australia, Japan and some other regions of the Earth.
Displayed aircraft types on Flyradar
Listed below are all aircraft types displayed by the system (having an ADS-B transponder):
- All Airbus (Airbus A300 – A380)
- BAe ATP
- BAe Avro RJ70-85-100
- The most popular modifications of Boeings (Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, 787)
- Newest Embraer E190
- Fokker 70 – 100
- Gulfstream V, Gulfstream G500/550
- McDonnell Douglas MD10–MD11
- Sukhoi SuperJet 100
- The latest models Ilov and Tu (IL-96 and Tu-204)
Aircraft types not displayed on Flightradar24 (not having an ADS-B sensor)
- An-225 "Mriya"
- ATR-42 – 72
- Boeing 707, 717, 727, 737-200, 747-100, 747-200, 747SP
- CASA all models
- Bombardier all models
- Dornier 328
- Embraer legacy models
- Jetstream 32
- Fokker 50
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9, MD-8x, MD-9x
- Saab 340 – 2000
- Airplanes of Presidents (“Air Force One”)
- Outdated aircraft models
- The vast majority of military aircraft of all countries
There are also a huge number of exceptions. Some aircraft from various companies or popular private Cessna aircraft are visible on Flyradar, while some Boeing and Airbus aircraft that are not equipped with ADS-B transmitters are not visible on the service's map. The online aircraft map is one of the most interesting inventions that is being improved every day - stay tuned for changes.
Flytradar's wide coverage ensures that the service operates successfully throughout Europe and the United States of America. The functionality of the tracker was appreciated by clients from Ukraine, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, South Africa, and in Asian countries it generally occupies a leading position among similar services.
Flytradar24 covers almost every country in the world, tracking 960 airlines and 32,505 aircraft. The service also provides detailed information on the operation of 8,675 airports located in 190 countries. Flytradar monitors their condition, weather conditions in the region, and keeps records of the number of departing and arriving aircraft. Those airports that are under radar control are marked in blue.
The quality of coverage is determined not only by the number of installed ADS-B receivers, but by their technical characteristics and antenna placement. One ground station is capable of receiving aircraft signals within a radius of 200 to 400 km.
The visibility of air transport depends not only on the capabilities of the receiving station, but also on other factors, such as the type of aircraft and transponder. Indicators such as flight altitude and terrain are also important - it is obvious that on the plain the equipment will show the best results.
If you fly regularly, you simply need to know the schedule of your planes so as not to miss your flight. For this purpose, there are a number of convenient aircraft tracking applications that will provide you with an invaluable service. So which ones are the best?
FlightBoard
FlightBoard was designed to match the design of the beautiful information board located at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. And this is the application that should be installed on every traveler's smartphone. FlightBoard displays data that you would receive in any airport terminal. You can view a variety of flights, track departures and arrivals of aircraft, and track other useful information. If you know the flight number or airport code, you can get even more detailed information about scheduled flights in the blink of an eye.
LoungeBuddy
LoungeBuddy helps you get information about the 500 largest airports around the world. By entering your credit card and flight details, you can see which services and lounges are available for free or for a one-time fee, and you can filter lounges if you need specific amenities. Of course, like other apps, you will also be able to track general information about the flights you are interested in.
App in the Air
App in the Air is a great companion for those who wait impatiently, or perhaps dreadfully, at the airport for their flight. The application shows interesting and useful information regarding the airport you are about to arrive at, and gives some tips and tricks. For example, where are the outlets, free Wi-Fi, cafes or specific stores. You can vote for each tip so that in the future it will not be eliminated, but will help other travelers. Once you get to the airport, you can view the status of your flight, maps of most airports, and chat with passengers on your flight who have already cleared the security checkpoint. And the more you travel, the more achievements will appear on your profile. While in the air, you will be able to track the location of your aircraft in real time. However, to get some additional features you will need to make an in-app purchase.
Flightradar24 Pro
Flightradar24 Pro provides the most complete and detailed information about various flights around the world in real time. Just launch the app and you'll see hundreds of planes around the world, including those flying right above you. Click on any of them and you will be shown detailed information about the route, altitude, speed, and exact location of the aircraft.
MiFlight
In order to make good use of your time, you need to know how much you have left. MiFlight uses a huge number of sources that will tell you how long it will take you to get through security checkpoints. This is especially convenient during the holidays when airports are crowded. Simply launch MiFlight, select your airport and terminal, and you will immediately receive the information you need. The app currently supports about 50 airports and provides access to their terminal maps. Information about the largest of them is constantly updated within a few hours.
