A new flight tracking app by NATS, Britain’s air traffic controller, has real radar data and a unique three dimensional view to give an amazing view of aircraft over the UK.
Most existing flight tracking apps use ADS-B technology. While this is an excellent flight tracking technology, not all aircraft are equipped with ADS-B, so coverage can be limited.
Airspace Explorer uses real radar data to track aircraft in the UK. That’s the same data that air traffic controllers use to safely guide the 6,500 aircraft that fly through the skies each day. Not only is it accurate it also offers excellent coverage and refreshes at a fast rate.
The free app also provides a 3D view that gives a true sense of the relative altitudes of aircraft and the shape and size of the areas of controlled airspace in the UK.
It’s a useful tool for students pilots. See how the UK’s airpsace structured and view flight paths in and out of airports to gain a sense of the approach and departure routes.
Matthew Mills, NATS Head of Digital Communications, said, “Airspace Explorer is based on an internal app we have at NATS, and while it’s similar to other flight tracking apps out there, we’ve included some unique and exciting features that we hope will give users an insight into the airspace as we see it.”
Airspace Explorer is available to download for iPad for free on the UK Apple App Store. A version for iPhone is currently in development, with one for other platforms under consideration.
