Back to Flight Tracking
You may know FlightAware as "that flight tracking app" that you use to track your mom's flight when she's coming into town (which we love to do) but we are so much more! Our aviation data is used everywhere from Google flight statuses, airport notification boards, airline systems managing gate flows, individual pilots sharing their flights, to the millions of travelers and their friends and families checking out our web and mobile apps to get info on their flight. We even power the real-time, global traffic in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 so that while you’re using the sim, you can see planes near you in real life - cool right? Oh, and ever see a plane flying overhead and wonder where it's headed... we can tell you that too.
So, wondering where we get all of this data? Well, a huge part of it comes from people just like YOU! FlightAware's data merges sources such as commercial airline schedules, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP – like the FAA in the US) info from over 45 countries, VHF datalink, worldwide weather, and ADS-B data both from the earth and orbiting satellites. At the core of our data is our own ADS-B network – right now 33,000 active receivers (and counting) – managed by a network of aviation enthusiasts (we heart you) across the globe who capture what’s happening in the skies above them and transmit the data directly to us. Planes are required to broadcast this data, we cast the net that captures it, then we synthesize the information on our site and in our products.The fun part about these receivers is that you can make them yourself, PLUS the recent launch of PiAware 7 lets you configure your device with Bluetooth®, making it easier than ever before to get started. Grab a PiAware Kit or build one yourself, hook it up to the internet and start exploring your airspace.
For folks who live in areas where we need more coverage (and can pass an application process), we’ll literally send you a pre-made one in a box – for free.
You’ll become part of a network of ADS-B hobbyists across the globe and start seeing the skies in a totally different way. So, are you ready to join the world's largest flight tracking network? Follow these easy steps to get started:
Order a complete PiAware Kit from the FlightAware ADS-B Store. Or, gather the hardware required and build your PiAware.
Assemble your PiAware. Watch this quick one minute video: .....................................................
Set it up at any internet-enabled location (home, office, etc.) You can now connect your receiver to WiFi using the FlightAware iOS or Android app, or a supported web browser with a Bluetooth® connection.
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Mobile iOS Setup: Install PiAware 7 on your device and power it on. Open up the FlightAware iOS app and go to the settings in the top right corner. Select the ADS-B option and then select "Set up a New ADS-B receiver". Follow the prompts to complete your setup.
Web Browser/Android Device Setup: Install PiAware 7 on your device and power it on. Go to https://flightaware.com/adsb/piaware/build/configure and follow the prompts to get set up.
Enter your PiAware's local IP address in a web browser and monitor and track flights on demand! Check out your ADS-B Stats Page here.
BONUS: Free stuff! PiAware users get a complimentary FlightAware Enterprise Account. This includes things like extended flight history, unlimited flight alerts, full-screen maps without ads, and more!
Welcome to the FlightAware ADS-B Community, and happy flight tracking!
FlightAware invites you to join the ADS-B network. You'll become part of a community of aviation hobbyists across the globe and start seeing the skies in a totally different way.
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