The FAA’s PIA a Spotters View

by | Aug 9, 2023 | Aviation News, Online Logging, Spotting

Privacy ICAO aircraft address (PIA) program is now fully established, so Mr Elon Musk should be happy. To paraphrase Mr Musk, he didn’t want some lunatic putting a bullet in his head.

What is the PIA program, well it basically allows the owner of an aircraft or it’s operator to request a fake ID for that aircraft while it is inside air space under the juresdiction of the FAA.

To facilitate this, the FAA has effectively created some 50,000 fake identities – yes you read that correctly. These fake identities have to be used in conjunction with a fake call sign, making aircraft identification very difficult – unless you are close enough to use the Mk I eyeball.

As I’ve already said on here, plane spotters don’t actually care who’s on a plane. Possibly the Paperazzi do, but I’m pretty sure that if I spoke to 50 spotters that none of them would even have the slightest care about the passengers – unless a member of family was onboard. Even then a spotter is still likely to be more interested in the aircraft (Unless you’re in a spotters family – then I’m sure they are more interested in you than the plane), or at least taking a passing interest.

Over the past few days I’ve been looking at aircraft operating using this new program, what I can tell you is that from a spotters perspective it is a bit perplexing. But first some of what I’ve found on the FAA site ind in the downloadable database.

A check on my scrapes database indicates that these are all assigned in the reserved file, and they are assigned to the “SBS PRGM OFC” as at 31st July 2023 there are 50,003 registrations reserved to this user. These seem to have been assigned in five groups as described below, there are real allocated registrations in all these ranges.

Date Count N-Number Range Notes
2020/02/27 2484 N1025P to N1901U Group #1
2020/02/28 11391 N101AQ to N9076S Group #2
2020/02/29 27197 N126AQ to N208GB Group #3
2020/03/01 3843 N208GN to N220QF Group #4
2020/08/16 5088 N4146Y to N429TQ Group #5

The fake identities are already in use, with quite a number being issued – well from what I can see on various flight radar type applications. Interestingly, although ADS-B Exchange was purchased by NetJets – they have an active filter that allows you to view aircraft with a PIA. More on this subject to follow, where I’ll show some examples of how the flights are hidden – along with suggestions on what to try to find out the identity of an aircraft.

Too Much Privacy

by | Aug 8, 2023 | Application, Online Logging, Spotting, Spotting News

For aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters in the the world over, there’s nothing quite as impressive as witnessing the classic scene of aircraft tearing across the skies.

However, in recent years, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) implementation of the Privacy ICAO aircraft address (PIA) program has brought about significant implications for plane spotters particularly in the USA.

While the PIA system is designed to enhance aviation safety and security, it has inadvertently impacted the way spotters track aircraft and raised concerns about the exposure of aircraft owners’ identities.

 Plane spotting, once an analog hobby with binoculars and notebooks, has evolved with technology. Today, aviation enthusiasts rely on a vast array of digital tools and websites to track and identify aircraft. Flight tracking apps and websites like FlightRadar24 and PlaneFinder offer real-time data on flight paths, altitude, and aircraft type. These platforms draw from various data sources, including ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) signals transmitted by aircraft.

FAA PIA System and Obfuscated Aircraft Identity

To protect the privacy of certain aircraft owners, the FAA implemented the LADD system in 2016. The LADD system allows aircraft owners to request the temporary blocking of their aircraft’s registration information from publicly available databases and tracking services. Consequently, when a spotter views the aircraft using flight tracking services, the aircraft’s registration number, and the owner’s identity among other things may appear obfuscated or hidden.

Impact on Plane Spotters

The FAA’s PIA system has presented challenges for plane spotters. On the positive side, the PIA system contributes to the protection of personal information for aircraft owners who may have legitimate reasons for maintaining their privacy – the truth is that in the main spotters don’t care who is on the plane, such as security concerns or corporate interests. However, for spotters, it means that certain aircraft they encounter may appear with generic or “blocked” registration data, making it challenging to identify the specific aircraft its owner or operator which is something that spotters would like to know.

Balancing Privacy and Enthusiast Interests

The challenge lies in striking a balance between individual privacy rights and the interests of aviation enthusiasts. Plane spotters have traditionally contributed valuable data to the aviation community, aiding in aircraft identification, safety reporting, and even historical research. With the PIA system in place, some spotters argue that they have lost access to crucial data, making it harder to maintain their hobby or contribute to the aviation community effectively.

Addressing Concerns and Encouraging Transparency

To address these concerns, the FAA and aviation industry stakeholders should consider promoting transparency and open communication. Aircraft owners who choose to utilize the PIA system could be encouraged to voluntarily share their aircraft information with trusted aviation communities and platforms to ensure that plane spotters can continue their passion responsibly and safely.

Conclusion

The FAA’s PIA system has undoubtedly brought about significant implications for plane spotters in the United States. While privacy and security concerns are essential to address, it is crucial to find a middle ground that respects the rights of aircraft owners while also allowing aviation enthusiasts to continue their hobby and contribute positively to the aviation community. By fostering open dialogue and transparency, we can work towards finding a balanced approach that benefits both parties and promotes the safety and enjoyment of aviation enthusiasts across the nation. After all there is a certain amount of information that we as spotters don’t care about, in the main spotters just actually want to know about the aircraft – see us standing by an airport fence and you’ll realise that we don’t care about the who – only the what!

Exploring Aircraft Tracking Sites and Communities

by | May 23, 2023 | Aviation News, Online Logging, Spotting

Plane spotting, the art of observing and identifying aircraft, has captivated aviation enthusiasts for decades. With the advent of the internet, plane spotters now have access to an array of online resources that enhance their hobby.

In this blog post, we will delve into the world of plane spotting, highlighting various aircraft tracking sites and aviation enthusiast web forums that can elevate your experience to new heights. So what’s available and how does it help the spotter?

It is all down to what your interests are, how you use the resource – with the forums, there is an element of “The more you contribute, the more valuable the resource becomes.”

 

FlightRadar24:

FlightRadar24 is one of the most popular aircraft tracking sites available today. It provides real-time tracking of flights worldwide, offering a comprehensive range of data, including aircraft type, registration, altitude, speed, and route. With FlightRadar24’s interactive map interface, you can explore flight paths, monitor arrivals and departures, and even receive alerts for specific aircraft or airports. This site also allows you to access historical data, enabling you to delve into the past and track the journey of a particular aircraft.

ADS-B Exchange:

For plane spotters seeking an open-source and community-driven platform, ADS-B Exchange is an excellent choice. It harnesses data from volunteers who host ADS-B receivers, allowing you to access real-time flight tracking information. With its extensive coverage, ADS-B Exchange provides an alternative perspective, offering additional data points for aircraft tracking. The platform’s map interface is user-friendly, enabling you to zoom in on specific regions or airports and uncover intriguing details about each flight.

Planespotters.net:

Planespotters.net serves as an aviation enthusiast’s paradise. It combines an extensive aircraft database with a lively community of passionate spotters. This site allows you to search for specific aircraft, airlines, or registrations, providing comprehensive information such as age, ownership history, and photographs. Additionally, Planespotters.net features a vibrant forum where enthusiasts can share their experiences, exchange tips and techniques, and engage in discussions about aircraft spotting.

JetPhotos:

JetPhotos is a remarkable platform for aviation photographers and plane spotters alike. It hosts an extensive collection of high-quality aircraft images contributed by enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you’re searching for a specific aircraft type, airline, or livery, JetPhotos offers a wealth of visually captivating images. Moreover, the site provides valuable metadata and detailed descriptions for each photo, including location and photographer information, offering insights into the world of plane spotting.

Airliners.net:

Airliners.net has been a go-to resource for aviation enthusiasts since 1997. It boasts an enormous database of aircraft photos, including historical shots, rare liveries, and unique aircraft configurations. The site’s forum serves as a hub for passionate aviation enthusiasts to discuss various topics, share trip reports, and exchange knowledge about plane spotting techniques. Airliners.net’s comprehensive coverage, coupled with its vibrant community, makes it a must-visit destination for every plane spotting enthusiast.

The digital era has revolutionized plane spotting, granting enthusiasts access to an extensive range of aircraft tracking sites and aviation enthusiast communities. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned spotter, these online resources will enhance your passion for aviation, allowing you to track flights in real-time, explore comprehensive aircraft databases, view captivating photographs, and engage with fellow enthusiasts worldwide. So grab your binoculars, set up your tracking tools, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of plane spotting. Happy spotting!

Prestwick and the C17

by | Jul 11, 2022 | Airport News, Aviation News, Database, Online Logging, Spotting, Spotting Locations

Prestwick, long used as the jumping off point or arrival point for transports crossing the Pond. The main recognition started during the second world war, when it’s excellent fog free record was pointed out by Captain Duncan Macintosh. During the war years, there were huge numbers of Lend Lease aircraft transiting through Prestwick.

Still used as a stopover location for trans-atlantic traffic, now experiencing a revival for military traffic especially given the situation in Ukraine. It is unlikely to see the kinds of volumes of visitors it attracted in the 1960’s and 70’s, but there has been more traffic about that is obvious.

Conveniently placed, Prestwick has over the years seen it’s fair share of traffic – both East and West bound. The table below is the C17 traffic for the past few years and is an extract from my Prestwick historical log going back to 2016, there have been a lot through over that time. As to searching the table, by default any search string will be automatically search any field, however there is a drop down at the right side of the search box – this can be used to filter searches.

 

The C-17 at Prestwick

Smart Phone Spotting.

by | Jun 30, 2022 | Application, Camera, Equipment Reviews., Online Logging, Optical Enhancement, Software Reviews, Spotting

In this post, where I talk about a smartphone – you can substitue deviced like the iPhone, iPad or and Android tablet. Most people will have one of these devices that they can use, so lets get to what you can do with them in the spotting world.

The primary use for a smartphone is communication, but they are capable of so much more. Sit in a cafe or on public transport and you will see people using them to consume digital media in some format, or they will be creating content of some sort.

So how does this relate to plane spotting, well there are a number of ways of using such a device to assist if you have Mobile Data or WiFi access.. Using free App’s like flightradar24 gives access to aircraft ID’s on a continuos basis, an aircraft flying overhead can be in most cases positively identified and would allow you to capture quite a lot of information.

Typically this App will show things like the registration of the aircraft, owner or operator, flight origin and destination. There are a number of dynamic physical reports, altitude, course, speed along with elapsed time and remaining time for the flight. All available for free. There are a number of other Apps that do the same thing, the main difference between them all is the display – and again most of them can be downloaded free.

Recording Information.

As I’ve already said, a pencil and notebook is all that you need to get started. But with a smartphone there are many more options, simply download one of the free Apps, I use Google Keep this allows you to quickly add notes, voice memo’s, check lists and pictures – they are all kept in one App. This makes accessing the information very easy, but you should note that there are many Apps that have similar functionallity. As most of them are free to try I’d suggest that you try a few.

Using the Camera.

In general the cameras on these devices are good quality, I have used mine to take some very good shots over the years – but generally when I’m very close to the aircraft. The photograph above was taken on a smartphone camera, around six years ago. So if you can be within a few meters of an aircraft, the results will be more than adequate using your phone camera.

Some cameras come with multiple sensors and lens configuration, these provide optical zoom sometimes allowing you to zoom into your area of interest. I have found the digital zoom on a number of phone cameras to produce images that to me were not good enough, you may have more luck – experiment.

Addon Smartphone Lenses.

I have not experimented with the addon lenses for phone cameras , I actually still use a dedicated camera for my photography most of the time. But I have seen some excellent results, although in most cases a tripod was used – don’t let this deter you if you feel that that is the way to go.

Online Logs.

It is possible to log directly into some of the online logging apps, however a word of caution here – even the paid for sites tend to severely restrict what you can download from the site once you get home. But effectively you can use your smartphone to log directly into one of these, which does mean that you have your personal log available wherever you have mobile data or WiFi.

Anyway, Happy Spotting!

Prestwick – 2021 Log

by | Jun 28, 2022 | Airport News, Aviation News, Book Reviews, Online Logging, Spotting

So the testing of the tables and the search facility continues, this data set now comprises a full year of visitors to Prestwick. The based aircraft are not incorporated in the log, mainly due to the fact that each one would add 365 rows to the table – and a search would likely return 365 rows of data.

In order that the table is displayed properly it is at the bottom of the post, where it should be out the way of the rest of the post. The next test will be to break the year down into individual months, I’m going to experiment with various layouts and content to see what works best.

Some additional search and filtering tips, there is now a dropdown at the right hand side if the search bar. This allows the fields searched to be toggled on or off, this will allow more controlled searching and should make life a little easier.

It is possible to order the data by any of the column headings, simply click on the heading to order by alphanumeric ascending or decending – this will work on search results if required.

The data comes from a number of public sources, I have automated some of the data collection and hope to improve it over time.

Additionally I have started on the automation of the building of the logs but there is still some manual intervention required, it is still a manual proces to put it in the database – but eventually I may be able to automate some of the steps.

Visitor Log Prestwick (EGPK) 2021