The shift to smarter technologies is making air travel safer, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly. Combine the unique benefits of ADS-B and Spidertracks to ensure you stay compliant, and continue to fly safely every day.
Virtual FDR™ provides you with access to invaluable flight data and insights — wirelessly and automatically, without complex installation.
ADS-B works by having an aircraft's transponder regularly broadcast its position, speed, and identification information to ATC, as well as other aircraft that have the ability to receive ADS-B data.
A decentralised network of public ground-based receivers enables the collection of ADS-B data.
These receivers need to be 'on' in order for accurate location information to be transmitted.
See the table below to learn about how Spidertracks and ADS-B technologies work differently.
Satellite-based with Iridium® satellite network
Stay connected to your aircraft regardless of altitude, location or airspace
No black spots or loss of coverage, global connectivity
Consistent broadcast of key flight information and aircraft tracking - no action from the pilot required
No ground structure = no problem, aircraft connectivity is via satellite
Share flight tracks with customers, team members and loved ones - unlimited accounts, no additional costs
Private and secure network, with bank-grade encryption
You own your flight data
Set permissions for different users
Unlimited two-way communication directly with pilots and crew
Real-time notifications, including take-off, landing, excessive ROC / ROD
Built-in emergency framework without the need for pilot interaction
FR24 AFF feed allows for ATC and other FR24 users to see tracking paths
Ground-based
Aircraft Must be within range of sight
Limited range (approx. 150 nautical miles)
Limited coverage offshore / remote areas
Limited coverage at low altitude ( < 1000ft )
No structure = no tracking
Flights are visibile to other aircraft and ATC
Decentralised public network - your data is public and freely available
No data ownership - your information is available for use by other flight services
Transmits every second
Receivers need to be on in order for information to be transmitted
Broadcast an aircraft's position to other aircraft that are also equipped with ADS-B
No communication directly with pilots
Subject to non-performing equipment (NPE)
The introduction of ADS-B combined with the unique benefits of Spidertracks, ensures a compliant, safer, and more efficient operation.
For total peace of mind, with no black spots or loss of coverage, we recommend using both ADS-B and Spidertracks in parallel so you can have compete situational awareness, accurate flight tracking, and ensure you and your team get home safely every day.
We wanted to make sure we were tracking our aircraft well. We thought ADS-B [Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast] would be the magic bullet. Still, we ran into some big issues pretty quickly during training where we didn't see the aircraft. Immediately, we liked Spidertracks for the simplicity of the user interface and how easy it is to get the information we want.
- Richard Cannon, Southern Utah University, USA
