Tracking tool a joy for planespotters

[gkoutlis]

Spotted this article on thewest.com.au


http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa ... espotters/


Very interesting

G

[yorky]

I would of imagined that access to this program is limited to authorised I'm-not-going-to-blow-you-up airport employees only? Or is that just my imagination? Obviously Airservices Aus provide the free one on the website but delayed for similar reason.

[w0mbat]

We have been running this on and off for the last year.

Works OK around Perth (radar), but outside of that counts on ADS-B data. The kingairs are not fitted out and the NG's need a software upgrade for it.

[gkoutlis]

Question is now, how do Plane Spotters get it working on their PC?

G

[w0mbat]

Get one of these.......
http://www.kinetic-avionics.com/index.php
We have one of these as well, as we were looking at setting up our own ADSB receiver network.

Works great around Perth as you see just about everything (S-mode or ADSB)
Bit pricey, about $1K with the accessories.

[numloxx]

Howdy all,

We use Flight Explorer at Cobham, and a number of other airlines here use it, Skywest and Skippers Aviation included.
It's a fantastic tool, if you're prepared to pay for it ($300-450/month). This of course is for the Professional version. There are also 2 other versions available for the general public. The Private and the Pilot versions. Each with different features.

The only drawback is.... those 2 versions do not currently allow access to Australia data feeds. And I think the Private version is limited to 10hrs/month (Don't quote me on this though).

I have been speaking to the developers of FE and they realise that there is a very strong demand for this type of software in the Plane Spotting Community.

The Professional version is limited to purchase by airlines and aviation related companies only I think.

Hope this helps answer a few questions.

Carsten

Wombat, who do you work for?

[Tyranus]

RFDS

[w0mbat]

Hi Numloxx,

Yes, I work for RFDS.

One of the benefits of being a NFP and charity, is that we get looked after by all manner of suppliers. All of which we are very grateful for.
Just so people know we are not just throwing money away that is very generously donated, there are a lot of companies out there that donate their software to charities.

--Steve

[numloxx]

Hey that's really great to hear.

And yes It's a wicked program. I had a trial of it for work for a few months, and the first time I used it, I watched the world' traffic for hours in awe.