Viewing Air Traffic Control on PC

DaveHemmerman

Hi i just wondered if there was any software or programs out that let you track planes (i guess not in real time but perhaps 5 mins behind real time) as there seem to be more and more flying over my house so would be interested to see where they are travelling from and too. Also is it possible to listen to aircraft on a radio scanner thing? Oh and is it legal, i dont wanna get in trouble!

Any help would be great

Thanks

Conor_3

Listening is but the ATC system is a closed system.

minirolo2004

I can answer the scanner part -

The full text can be found at the following site (OFCOM) in PDF format.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archi...fo/ra169r7.pdf

"Anyone who intends to listen to radio transmissions should be aware of the following:

A licence is not required for a radio receiver as long as it is not capable of transmission as well (The Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Receivers) (Exemption) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 123). The exception to this is that it is an offence to listen to unlicensed broadcasters (pirates) without a licence. Licences are not issued for this purpose.

Although it is not illegal to sell, buy or own a scanning or other receiver in the UK, it must only be used to listen to transmissions meant for GENERAL RECEPTION. The services that you can listen to include Amateur and Citizens' Band transmissions, licensed broadcast radio, and weather and navigation broadcasts.

It is an offence to listen to any other radio services unless you are authorised by a designated person to do so."



This is a direct interpretation of that rule from OFCOM

"In short you can use a scanner to listen to anything broadcast for general reception, radio amateurs, CB, weather and navigation broadcasts. Unless you are a police officer or work in the emergency services you are not allowed to listen to their communications.

You can only listen to other services if you have the permission of the sender. The air show is a good example where the control tower frequencies are publicised and that would be considered permission."


HTH

DaveHemmerman

Thanks for that basically all i want to do is sit in my garden and listen to the aircraft or sit and view the routes on the laptop. Planes have always interested me so thought it could be a nice little hobby.

minirolo2004

Where are you at Dave? I'm involved in an ATC type job - if you ever want to visit just PM me . I'm in the RAF and would be happy to host you

DaveHemmerman

Im in Hull East Yorkshire, think the reason more flights seem to be coming this way is due to Doncaster (Robin Hood) aiport think they are flying over the Netherlands from Europe and across the North Sea then turning down the Humber and back round to land at Doncaster.

I just fascinates me really how they move from one zone to another.

minirolo2004

Yup and the airspace gets busier and busier! I control regularly in the Vale of York area and often have to negotiate with the civvies for plans of action.

I'll see if I can find some routes and stuff for you which are available for public use.

moonrakerz

This may be of interest to you, although it only covers Heathrow.

http://lhr.webtrak-lochard.com/template/index.html

I note that it says that the pictures are delayed by 24 hrs "for security reasons" - yet the similar sites in the US show live ATC movements !

COVKID

What you need is someone who is up to speed with Microsoft Flight Simulator to sit down with you and show you how it all comes together.I found it very fascinating but very addictive.Do you know anyone with this installed?

DaveHemmerman

No sorry i dont know anyone with Microsfot Flight Sim, i have found http://www.openatc.com/ which runs through Google Earth, just trying to get me head round it. It does not show many flights over UK, but its only 5 mins behind real time. I checked this by following a flight into Manchester airport and also had the arrivals page up on the Man airport site and it was approx 5 mins behind. They must be hundereds if not more flying over the UK everyday, would be nice to see where they are coming from and where they go too.

skintmostofthetime

Just a thought - if Dave Hemmerman was a terrorist - you'd be giving him lots of help !!