Flightaware - this looks like Big Brother to me.

JackinMichigan · #1 05-02-2018, 08:31 PM

Out of curiosity I typed in my RV-10's number into google and I discovered Flightaware.com. On that site I can track every flight I've made over the past 4 months, complete with altitude, speed and position for the duration of every flight. I was amazed, but also a little concerned. This just seemed a little too 'Big Brother'-ish for me. I'll assume it's getting all this info from my ADS-B system.

I also looked up my flight club's ancient Cessna 172 and found virtually no data (it doesn't have ADS-B yet).

I don't have anything to hide from anyone, but I also don't want everyone and their brother to know where I've been and what I'm doing. Is there a way to legally turn off whatever's broadcasting this info to the public, or is this just the way of the future from here on?

Mike S · #2 05-02-2018, 08:32 PM

You do know what the "S" in ADSB stands for, dont you?

alcladrv · #3 05-02-2018, 08:34 PM

Check out this link to block your N-number:

https://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/asdi/#how-block

JackinMichigan · #4 05-02-2018, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike S

You do know what the "S" in ADSB stands for, dont you?

I did, but I didn't know this info would be made public and available for several months. I just figured it was a more advanced way to avoid collisions.

Jesse · #5 05-02-2018, 08:47 PM

If you?re 1090ES ever flight is logged by non-government Flightradar24.com. The only way to stay anonymous after complying with ADS-B is to have a UAT Out system that has an anonymous mode when squawking 1200.

160kt · #6 05-02-2018, 08:47 PM

https://flightaware.com/about/faq#blockmytail

Scrabo · #7 05-02-2018, 09:26 PM

ADSB exchange is a bit of a joke, it has shown our little plane leave Phoenix and fly none stop to the west coast of Africa, even with the tip tanks, that’s a bit of a stretch

It being a volunteer website, the “owner” doesn’t like being told the site has issues

rleffler · #8 05-03-2018, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV8JD

A true ADS-B anonymous mode is the only way to stay off these sites, and that only works when squawking 1200.

This only applies to UAT only and not all vendors support this mode.

mturnerb · #9 05-03-2018, 07:17 AM

In today's world, privacy and anonymity are limited to those who are willing to withdraw from most of what we think of as "life". There are cameras everywhere, most of use use mobile phones, social media, and credit cards - it's insanely easy for someone to know pretty much everything about us. My goal in life is to bore them to death...

To me, the value of someone knowing where I am in case of a forced landing or accident and the ability to see traffic and weather far outweighs any need or desire for anonymity.

Some privileges (driving, flying) require a willingness to give up some privacy and most folks accept that. I do like the fact that unlike in the driving world, if I make a mistake (bust airspace or similar) I can file an ASRS report anonymously and have some protection from reprisal.

Shawn25854 · #10 05-03-2018, 07:25 AM

My GDL-82 has the anonymous mode and I use it all the time now.

I had some issues early on with my transponder antenna and my GPS antenna location and poor PAPR reports while I was trying to pass the test for the rebate. So I flew with it in the normal mode to get my reports and make sure my problem was gone. Everything is perfect now and I fly in anonymous mode unless I know I want to pull a PAPR report for a particular flight.

In my opinion signing up to "block" my N number will only raise more concern with those you are asking to block your N number and you'll get put on another list.

I understand that we all have little privacy left these days but I would like to protect what little I have left. Keep 'em guessing I always say.

Where does it end?