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01-13-2010, 02:37 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
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Anybody Ever "Googled" Their N Number?
...You might be shocked at the info that is readily available.
Just out of curiosity, I was looking for pictures of my airplane from before I owned it, and found that and more. I also found pictures of my airplane with me flying/near it! Apparently, some people make quite a hobby out of photographing every airplane in existence and posting it on the web. That's not too bad, but what gets the paranoid side of me going is the little box next to the picture with the FAA registration info right next to it. So there's me, my airplane, and my address all over the web without my prior knowledge. I know it's "public" info, but still... not cool. I wonder if the photographer would like me to post pictures of his daughter/wife standing by their car at the supermarket and also give the address?
But wait, there's more. If you have used flight following recently, the departure and landing location, time, date, speed and ground track are displayed on another site for the whole web to see. I know some of you like that sort of thing with your SPOT devices, but I'm one who considers that a substantial invasion of privacy. This is not to mention how easily this info could be used against you by someone so inclined. Heck, I don't even use my N number when calling on the radio unless it's an ATC facility just because of local people "harvesting" registration numbers and registering bogus complaints at a nearby airport.
Perhaps I'm just not as comfortable with the information age as I should be, but am I the only one who thinks too much information is a bad thing? Google your N number before you respond.
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
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Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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01-13-2010, 02:43 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 149
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Just a data point:
I can promise you that your insurance company will google your N number within minutes of receiving a claim for damages. So, I'd be careful about using it in blogs, screen names, etc.
I know this because AIG showed up in my webserver logs a few years back after having filed a small claim. They had found my (now deleted) blog via an N number search from google. These folks look for anything they can use against you...luckily in my case there was nothing to find.
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01-13-2010, 02:49 PM
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 531
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Yep.
Here's me flying home from Dallas, with all kinds of detail: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N.../KDWH/tracklog
And a picture: http://flightaware.com/photos/view/2...t/votes/page/1
And the FAA record (I'm not the owner): http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinqu...umbertxt=397JA
And with other databases that are free or close to it, I can probably tell you how old your daughter's son is, and who is the leinholder on his car...from your N number. (If you actually have a daughter with a son, that is just a coincidence! I made that up...) Or, say...if your medical was current.
Not arguing either way. It's just all very easy data to get, so I don't worry about it much. If you are on sites like Facebook and such...then, well...I really wouldn't worry about it, as you are publishing much more. (Pet peeve: read your myspace/facebook pages before applying for a job people!)
Note that I think you can have flightaware (well the source, really) block an N number: http://flightaware.com/about/faq.rvt#blockmytail
I also have all my public addresses under a UPS Store box, which is also my permanent address. (Its not really for privacy...I just got tired of changing my address all the time...while my box has been same for almost 10 years...and they will even forward on request. Yes, the FAA has my home address, but they publish the mailing address.)
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-Rick Greer, VAF #2492
Last edited by DCat22 : 01-13-2010 at 03:57 PM.
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01-13-2010, 02:52 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmbaute
Just a data point:
I can promise you that your insurance company will google your N number within minutes of receiving a claim for damages. So, I'd be careful about using it in blogs, screen names, etc.
I know this because AIG showed up in my webserver logs a few years back after having filed a small claim. They had found my (now deleted) blog via an N number search from google. These folks look for anything they can use against you...luckily in my case there was nothing to find.
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Insurance Companies are in business to make money. They are not in business to pay claims. Claims are just part of the cost of doing business. The higher the claim, the lower the profits.
__________________
Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6 Flying
3,400+ hours
Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012
To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
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01-13-2010, 04:17 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder
...Perhaps I'm just not as comfortable with the information age as I should be, but am I the only one who thinks too much information is a bad thing? Google your N number before you respond.
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Yep - I completely agree. People are so quick to turn over their personal information to the Central Authority (Feds, Google, grocery store, etc, etc.) but they never stop to think what if the information is used against them some day.
Maybe the new Homeland Healthcare Administration will seek out those who have excessively large carbon footprints (own multiple mobile vehicles) and who engage in risky behavior (flying), so they can pay a *more fair* share for their new *voluntary* health insurance.
Yea, I guess we're just conspiracy nuts. The Government really does have our best interests in mind with everything they do!
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Bryan
Houston
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01-13-2010, 04:54 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Posts: 770
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Where the culpability lies
I don't want to enter a political debate here, but there are three distinct categories of info-gathering entities being discussed in this thread, and we have to clearly distinguish between them and their behaviors/culpabilities:
1. Facebook, Twitter, the supermarket, insurance companies, this forum: Entities to which individuals like ourselves may voluntarily provide our private information, knowing that it will then no longer be private. It may very well be wise to not provide private information to these entities, but if you do it is purely voluntary. None of these hold a gun to your head.
2. Google, airplane spotters, etc. (insurance companies also utilize this category): These simply gather, organize, and utilize information that is already publicly available through other sources. Some of us may not like it, and that's fine, but no foul here either. Don't blame the messenger.
3. Government: Coerces you into submitting your private information under threat of violence (i.e. be taken to jail, have your property siezed, etc. if you don't comply). Then it turns around and uses your information however it sees fit, including as in this case making it available to the general public, without your consent. Foul!
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01-13-2010, 05:22 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: C09 - Morris
Posts: 579
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__________________
(This post by: Christopher Checca EAA Lifetime Member #799388)
Allen Checca (father)
Christopher Checca (son)
RV-6A - N468AC
ENGINE: Lycoming 180 HP O-360-A1A
PROPELLER: Senisentch 72FM859-1-85
WEIGHT: Empty Aircraft 1152 lbs
BASED: KC09 - Morris, IL.
Flying since June 6, 2005
N468AC Web Site
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01-13-2010, 06:08 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
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Too much paranoia
There is virtually no way to avoid your information getting out. You can do the Lifelock thing for Identity theft, but as long as you have a car registered, own a home, have a utility bill, register an airplane, it is too late.
In the Phoenix area, we have multitudes of Speed Enforcement cameras. No matter what your thoughts, if you don't speed you don't have to worry. They have slowed traffic and dramatically reduced the accident rates on the affected freeways. Injury accidents are down even more. On a very positive side, the speed cameras captured the image of a multiple murder suspect that was soon taken into custody. All cars are logged in somewhere.
Finally, just because your paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't really watching you!!! Life is too short. Don't sweat the stuff you can't do anything about.
__________________
Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
www.JDair.com
RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
RV-7 N717AZ Flying, in paint
EMS Bell 407,
Eurocopter 350 A-Star Driver
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01-13-2010, 06:13 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 98
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I just googled mine. holy @#&%*!!
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01-13-2010, 06:41 PM
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fugio ergo sum
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Carlsbad, NM
Posts: 1,912
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Mostly expected
I have done this a few times and it is generally the public stuff that I know is out there. The surprising one to me was a photo of me sitting in my airplane at some unknown place, buckling in. Wow!
Edit: Now that I look at the photo some more I think it might be the tiny Texas hamlet of Denver City. Now who in Denver City is sending this stuff to FlightAware?
Edit2: Denver City seems like a nice little oilfield town but it is neither Denver nor a city.
__________________
Larry Pardue
Carlsbad, NM
RV-6 N441LP Flying
Last edited by n5lp : 01-13-2010 at 07:03 PM.
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