Project description:
Analysing logs of ADSB data
In addition to receiving over fifty different government air traffic control and private datalink sources, FlightAware operates a worldwide network of ADS-B and Mode S receivers that track ADS-B or Mode S equipped aircraft flying around the globe. ADS-B equipped aircraft emit their exact position and Mode S aircraft can be tracked via multilateration (MLAT) when the signal is received by three or more receivers. FlightAware owns and operates these receivers at hundreds of airports around the world in conjunction with airport operators.

Aircraft know their location based on GPS or similar technology and their altitude based on a pressure altimeter. Aircraft with an ADS-B transponder broadcast their identification and this three dimensional position (latitude, longitude, altitude) on 1090MHz or 978MHz, which can be received by a radio within line of sight of the aircraft (a maximum of 300mi / 480km at cruise). Receivers around the world send this data over a real-time connection to FlightAware, which aggregates the data and provides flight tracking data and interfaces. Approximately 70% of airliners around the world and 10% of private jets currently have ADS-B, whereas nearly 100% have Mode S.