The COMAC C919, China’s first domestically developed large passenger jet, took flight for the first time Friday afternoon in Shanghai. The aircraft completed a 1 hour 18 minute flight that, in a first for any manufacturer, included a publicly available live video feed from the flight deck.

Tracking the C919

The C919 may be tracked with registration B-001A.

First Flight

Departing at 14:01 local time in Shanghai (06:01 UTC) and landing 1 hour, 18 minutes later, the C919 covered 439 kilometers flying to the north of Shanghai-Pudong International Airport.

The track of the C919’s first flight

Altitude and speed graph from the C919’s first flight

Playback and Downloads

Playback

COMAC C919 First Flight KML File

COMAC C919 First Flight CSV File

Photos

The C919 lifts off for the first time

A good look at the underside and CFM LEAP-1C engines of the C919 as it passes overhead

The C919 on final approach, completing its first flight

In Episode 5 we sit down for an extended interview with CNN Aviation Editor Jon Ostrower to talk about the COMAC C919’s first flight and burgeoning Chinese aviation market. We also learn how to track newly built aircraft and send Jason off to Japan.

COMAC C919 First Flight and Chinese Aviation

We sat down with CNN aviation editor Jon Ostrower for an extended discussion of the COMAC C919’s first flight and what the C919 means to the rapidly expanding aviation market.

The C919 on final approach, completing its first flight

Tracking New Aircraft

Following our discussion of the C919, we explain how to track newly built aircraft from Airbus and Boeing to newer entrants like Mitsubishi. For more on using aircraft filters, see our quick tutorial.

Jason Flies to Japan

Jason is headed to Japan, where he’ll meet up with John Walton to discuss Japanese aviation for our next episode.

New Liveries and Flights

We also discuss the first passenger flight to St. Helena, Hawaiian Airlines’ new livery, and the new special livery Iceland Air has painted on one of its 757s.

Let Us Know What You Think

Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast!

The 737 MAX and A320neo family recently received ICAO aircraft type codes, making them easy to track on Flightradar24. Previously, the only way to track these aircraft was via the registration of each aircraft. That made seeing the entire fleet difficult and time consuming. With the new type codes, it is now possible to easily track every aircraft of the type at the same time.

Learn more about using aircraft filters in our new mobile app

The A320neo Family

The A320neo or ‘new engine option’ family of aircraft consists of the A319neo, A320neo, and A321neo. The neo family is a re-engined version of the existing A320 family of aircraft. The A320neo has been in service since 2016 and the first A321neo was recently delivered. The A319neo had its first flight in March 2017 and is currently undergoing testing and certification.

The Airbus A319neo, type code A19N

The Airbus A320neo, type code A20N

The Airbus A321neo, type code A21N

Boeing 737 MAX

The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of 737 produced by Boeing. The MAX family features new engines and airframe improvements—including new split winglets. The first 737 MAX 8 is scheduled for delivery in May 2017 with entry into service shortly thereafter. The 737 MAX 9 is scheduled for entry into service in 2018. The MAX 7 is currently under development.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8, type code B38M

The Boeing 737 MAX 9, type code B39M

Tracking the Aircraft

To track an aircraft type, enter the ICAO type code in the aircraft filter field on the web or in our mobile app. You can see our blog post on using aircraft filters on Flightradar24.com or our quick video tutorial on aircraft filter in our app.

An example aircraft filter for the 737 MAX 9 on Flightradar24.com

An example filter for all three members of the A320neo family in our mobile app.

Featured image © C. v. Grinsven

At the beginning of May, Icelandair unveiled its latest special livery, Vatnajökull, a 757 painted to honor 80 years of aviation in Iceland. Now they’ve given us a look at how such a complex livery is applied.

Painting Vatnajökull

25 artists and assistants spent 2500 work hours applying 195 liters of paint to the aircraft’s 590m² skin, using 12 unique colors. Icelandair put together a video showing the intricate process.

Tracking Vatnajökull

Vatnajökull can be tracked with registration TF-FIR.

Vatnajökull, Icelandair’s newest special livery.

Featured Image © Matt Varley

We’re proud to announce that Flightdiary is now myFlightradar24. myFlightradar24 is the perfect place to keep track of your flights and compile detailed statistics about your travels. You can even help fellow travelers by leaving reviews of flights you take and airports you visit.

Flightdiary becomes myFlightradar24

Flightdiary launched in 2010 and quickly became the best way to keep track of your flights. Soon after launch, Flightdiary was acquired by Flightradar24. Today we’re further integrating the two to take advantage of Flightradar24’s massive airline and airport database enabling you to better track your flights around the world. Keep track of all your flights with as little or as much detail as you’d like. You can also help fellow travelers and keep notes for yourself by reviewing the airlines, aircraft, and airports that make up your journey.

What’s New?

We’ve enhanced the integration between the two sites to make adding flights easier and to grow the database, adding over 650 additional airlines and 3300 airports. We’ve also given the site a facelift and added new statistics for all of your flights. Keep track of where you’ve been and how you got there and see detailed statistics of your travels. We’ll also continue to integrate myFlightradar24 into Flightradar24, with reviews and special ways to track myFR24 users on their flights.

See your flight routes and loads of detailed statistics

View your own personal leaderboard to see your most popular airports, airlines, aircraft, and more.

Your personal leaderboard to track your travels

Entering Flights in myFlightradar24

Logging your flights is simple and quick, add every detail or just quickly enter the flight number and date. For flights in the myFlightradar24 database, details like departure and arrival airports and times and airline information will be added automatically. See how easy it is to add a flight in the example slideshow below.

Adding a flight to your myFlightradar24 is quick and easy

Information for Current Flightdiary Users

If you have a Flightradar24 account

If you already have a Flightradar24 account, you’ll use those credentials to access your data on myFlightradar24. Your Flightdiary credentials will no longer be required. All of your existing data has been migrated from Flightdiary to myFlightradar24 so there is no need to reenter your flights.

If you do not have a Flightradar24 account

You’ll continue to use your existing Flightdiary credentials to log in to myFlightradar24. All of your existing data has been migrated from Flightdiary to myFlightradar24 so there is no need to re-enter your flights.

On 21 May, Cathay Pacific hosted its 2017 Community Day, inviting 100 children and their families on board a Boeing 777-300 for a 90 minute flight from Hong Kong. During the flight, the 777 drew a heart before landing. While Cathay’s 777 certainly isn’t the first to draw a heart, to the best of our knowledge, it is the largest aircraft tracked on Flightradar24 to do so.

Hearts over Hong Kong

The flight departed and arrived in Hong Kong, carrying 100 first time fliers who earned a seat on the flight through a writing competition. Accompanying the children and their families we 60 Cathay Pacific crew members, including pilot Captain Hank Cheng. Cheng completed a round-the-world journey last year in the first home-built aircraft to be registered in Hong Kong.

Captain Hank Cheng waves from his home-built Vans RV-8 in Hong Kong

See playback of the 2017 Community Flight on our website or in our new mobile app by searching registration B-HNQ.

In Episode 6 we head to Japan for an interview with John Walton to get an update on the status of the Mitsubishi MRJ regional jet program. We also delve into the peculiarities of Japanese aviation.

Checking in on the MRJ

Jason travels to Japan to meet up with John Walton, Runway Girl Network’s deputy editor, to visit the Mitsubishi MRJ program in Nagoya. We discuss the state of the program and the aircraft’s commercial potential.

A Mitsubishi MRJ 90

How Japanese Aviation Stands Out

Also in our conversation with John, we learn more about how Japanese aviation stands out in terms of aircraft utilization and service.

Ladies and Gentlemen, This is Your Captain, the King, Speaking

Unbeknownst to passengers and the public, Dutch King Willem-Alexander has been piloting KLM short-haul flights for the past 21 years.

Ex-Singapore Airlines A380s now for Sale

Singapore Airlines is retiring 5 early-build A380s as they take new A380s from Airbus. We ponder their fate as they go up for sale.

New ICAO Type Codes Make Tracking 737 MAX and A320neo Easier

With a recent update to its list of aircraft type codes, ICAO makes it easy to track the A320neo and 737 MAX families. We talk about the new codes and how to use them.

Let Us Know What You Think

Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast!

Singapore Airlines inaugurated service to Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport today, beginning the first regular Airbus A350 flights to the airport. We were on hand for the flight’s arrival and received a short tour of the aircraft before it departed.

Singapore-Moscow-Stockholm

Singapore operates to Stockholm via Moscow as flight SQ362, with the return operating the reverse routing as SQ361.

SQ362 from Moscow to Stockholm

Arrival

The flight touched down in Stockholm at 06:45 UTC and was then greeted with a traditional water salute as it taxied to the gate.

SQ362 receives a traditional water canon salute on arrival

On Board

We were able to take a quick tour of aircraft before it departed back to Moscow and on to Singapore.

In May, we activated nearly 100 new Flightradar24 ADS-B receivers, helping us track over 4.9 million flights. Those receivers also helped us track the most flights in a single day so far this year with 182,790 flights on 26 May.

Two of the new receivers activated are helping with flights transiting the high north latitudes over the Atlantic Ocean and Canada. Installed in Svalbard and near Pond Inlet, Canada, these receivers are already helping track additional flights. Other important receivers include a new receiver in Kabul, Afghanistan; Pokhara, Nepal; and a cluster of receivers in Washington state. Those will help us better track all flights in the Pacific Northwest, but especially test flights operating in the area from the likes of Boeing and Mitsubishi.

The Map

Here’s the full map of all receivers activated during May (click to expand).

New Flightradar24 receivers activated during the month of May (click to enlarge)

We are always looking for new receiver hosts. Especially if you or someone you know lives in a remote location, please apply to host a receiver. All of our receiver hosts get a free Flightradar24 Business Subscription, which can be used on the web or within our new mobile app. If you’re interested, please apply today. If you’d you like more information about our application process, you can read more about it in our blog post.

Use Your Own Hardware

If you prefer to use your own hardware and have a Raspberry Pi you can now help us increase ADS-B and MLAT coverage as well. Please see our Raspberry Pi page for more information and to begin sharing data today.

Following the severing of diplomatic relations with Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are banning flights to and from Qatar. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are also banning overflights by aircraft registered in Qatar. Bahrain is severely restricting overflight access to Qatari aircraft.

See where Qatar Airways flies from Doha

Bahrain

Bahrain is banning flights between Qatar and Bahrain. Qatar also lies within the Bahrain FIR, and Bahrain is restricting the routes available to aircraft registered in the state of Qatar. Aircraft registered in Qatar entering the Bahrain FIR bound for Qatar must enter at MIDSI and follow route UR659 to Qatar. Aircraft departing Qatar must use route UT430 and exit Bahrain FIR at RAGAS.

Routes available to Qatari aircraft through Bahrain FIR, beginning 6 June (click to enlarge)

From Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to the Kingdom of Bahrain from 00:00 UTC June 6^th(03:00 Doha time, June 6^th) until further notice.

Flights QR1106, QR1107, QR1108 and QR1109 to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain on June 5^th will operate as planned and remain unaffected.

Relevant Bahrain NOTAMs

OBBB   BAHRAIN FIR
A0208/17 – FOR FLIGHTS AFFECTED BY NOTAM A0205/17 THE FOLLOWING AWYS ARE AVBL: 1-UT430 OUTBOUND VIA RAGAS 2-UR659 INBOUND VIA MIDSI. 06 JUN 00:00 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 12:00 2017
A0205/17 – ALL FLT REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF QATAR ARE NOT AUTHORISED TO OVERFLY BAHRAIN AIRSPACE. 06 JUN 00:00 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 11:22 2017
A0204/17 – NO FLIGHT WILL BE ALLOWED FROM KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN TO STATE OF QATAR AND FROM STATE OF QATAR TO KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN. 06 JUN 00:00 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 11:17 2017

Saudi Arabia

Qatar Airways has suspended all of their flights to destinations in Saudi Arabia with immediate effect. Beginning at 0000 UTC 6 June Qatari flights will not be permitted to overfly Saudi Arabia airspace. Many of Qatar Airways’ flights to southern Europe and Africa pass through Saudi Arabia. Flights to Europe will most likely be rerouted through Iran and Turkey. Flights to Africa may route via Iran and Oman and then south.

Example Qatar Airways flights passing through Saudi Arabian airspace

Relevant Saudi Arabia NOTAM

OEJD   JEDDAH
A0596/17 – ALL NON-SAUDI OR NON-QATARI REGISTERED ACFT INTENDING TO USE SAUDI AIRSPACE TO/FM QATAR AIRPORTS SHALL COORDINATE WITH GENERAL AUTHORITY OF CIVIL AVIATION (GACA) WI ONE WEEK FM TODAY TO OBTAIN ALL GACA REQUIREMENTS FM THE FLW CONTACT TEL: +966115253336 EMAIL: ‘SPECIAL(AT)GACA.GOV.SA’. 06 JUN 00:01 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 11:41 2017
A0593/17 – ALL FLT REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF QATAR ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO OVERFLY SAUDI ARABIAN AIRSPACE. 06 JUN 00:01 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 09:37 2017
A0592/17 – ALL FLIGHTS REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF QATAR ARE NOT AUTH TO LAND AT SAUDI ARABIAN AIRPORTS. 05 JUN 04:35 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 04:42 2017

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates will ban Qatari flights from landing and departing UAE airports or using UAE airspace beginning 0000 UTC 6 June. Emirates’ last flight to Doha will be EK847, departing 02:30 local time on 6 June. The return flight will operate as EK848 at 03:50 local time. Etihad’s last flight to Doha will be EY391, departing Abu Dhabi at 21:35 local time 5 June. EY398 will return from Doha at 22:50 local time 5 June.

From Qatar Airways:

Flights QR1020, QR1021, QR1054, QR1055, QR1034, QR1035, QR 1036, QR1037, QR1018, QR1019, QR1014 and QR1015 to and from the UAE on June 5^th will operate as planned and remain unaffected.

Example flights between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates

Relevant UAE NOTAM

OMAE   UAE FIR
A0812/17 – ALL ACFT REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF QATAR ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO OVERFLY EMIRATES FIR,DEPART OR LAND AT UAE AERODROMES. OPERATORS NOT REGISTERED IN UAE INTENDING TO USE EMIRATES FIR FROM OR TO THE STATE OF QATAR REQUIRE PRIOR APPROVAL FROM GCAA AVIATION SECURITY AFFAIRS ON THE FLW CONTACT: TEL: 00971 50 642 4911 EMAIL: AVSEC-DI(A)GCAA.GOV.AE. 06 JUN 00:00 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 08:37 2017

Egypt

Egypt will ban Qatari flights to and from Egyptian destinations as well as overflights of aircraft registered in Qatar. As most Qatar Airways flights overflying Egypt also traverse Saudi Arabia, this ban will have a more practical effect on Qatar’s flights to Cairo, Alexandria, and Egypt. Egypt’s ban goes into effect at 04:00 UTC on 6 June.

The Cairo FIR boundaries (in red)

From Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to Egypt from 04:00 UTC June 6^th (07:00 Doha time, June 6^th) until further notice.

Flights QR1302 and QR1318 from Egypt on June 5^th will operate as planned and remain unaffected.

Relevant Egyptian NOTAM

HECC   CAIRO ACC
A0202/17 – ALL ACFT REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF QATAR ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO OVERFLY CAIRO FIR,DEPART OR LAND AT EGYPTIAN AERODROMES. OPERATORS NOT REGISTERED IN A.R.E INTENDING TO USE CAIRO FIR FROM OR TO THE STATE OF QATAR REQUIRE PRIOR APPROVAL FROM ECAA ON THE FLW CONTACT : TEL : +202 22678535 +202 24175605 AFTN : HECAYAYX. 06 JUN 04:00 2017 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 05 JUN 12:11 2017

Effects on En Route Traffic through the Tehran FIR

Iranian air traffic control authorities have issued routing instructions for flights to and from Qatar transiting Iranian airspace.

Routes available to aircraft to/from Qatar transiting the Tehran FIR (click to enlarge)

Relevant NOTAMS

OIIX   TEHERAN (ACC/FIC/FIR)
A1863/17 – DUE TO REGIONAL CRISES IN BAHRAIN AND QATAR THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC
ORIENTATION SCHEME  WILL BE AVBL:
1-TRAFFIC FM QATAR TO ANKARA FIR VIA TEHRAN THE LEVEL AND ROUTE
SCHEME IS:
FL150 UP TO FL190 PROVIDED THAT 20NM SEPARATION
RAGAS-UT430-LAGSA -UL223-TESVA/ALRAM
2-TRAFFIC FM QATAR TO MUSCAT AND KARACHI FIRS, THE LEVEL AND ROUTE
SCHEME IS:
FL150 UP TO  FL190 PROVIDED THAT 20NM SEPARATION AND EXPECT
FURTHER CLIMB AFTER KIS
RAGAS-M561-ASVIB (KARACHI FIR)
RAGAS-M561-KHM-NEW FIR (MUSCAT FIR)-BUBAS

3- TRAFFIC EXITING TEHRAN FIR FROM ANKARA TO QATAR FIR , THE LEVEL
AND ROUTE SCHEME IS:
BTN FL240 UP TO FL300 PROVIDED THAT 20NM  SEPARATION
ALRAM- UT36-MIDSI
4-TRAFFIC EXITING TEHRAN FIR FM MUSCAT AND KARACHI FIR
TO QATAR FIR , THE LEVEL AND ROUTE SCHEME IS:
BTN FL240  UP TO FL260 PROVIDED THAT 10NM SEPARATION
N312/A453-MIDSI. 06 JUN 00:00 2017 UNTIL 06 JUL 23:59 2017 ESTIMATED. CREATED:
05 JUN 16:15 2017
A1864/17 – OTS FOR TRAFFIC FM ANKARA TO UAE EXCEPT OMAA:
BONAM-L319-RADID-M317-KUPTO-G666-ORSAR. 06 JUN 00:00 2017 UNTIL 06 JUL 23:59
2017 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 05 JUN 16:12 2017

Updates

This post will be updated as new information becomes available.

In episode 7, we discuss the flight ban affecting Qatar and how it is reshaping air traffic in the region. We also attempt to understand the IT problems that forced British Airways to cancel a full day of flights at London-Heathrow.

Qatar Flight Ban

Following the severing of diplomatic relations with Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates banned all flights to and from Qatar and overflights by Qatar-registered aircraft. Restrictions put in place by Bahrain leave Qatar Airways with one route in and one route out of Doha. We discuss the particulars and what effects the ban is having on air traffic in the region.

For more on the Qatar flight ban, see our in-depth blog post

British Airways’ IT Meltdown

We try to understand the British Airways IT meltdown that stranded thousands of passengers and created headaches for the better part of a week.

Quick Bits of Good News

We leave bans and meltdowns behind for a few small pieces of good news as well.

✈️ The first Airbus A321neo (N921VA) entered service with Virgin America.

✈️ We set a single-day tracking record on 26 May, tracking 182,790 flights.

✈️ Stratolaunch rolls out

✈️ Follow Virgin Galactic’s White Knight Two and VSS Unity.

Upcoming in a Special Episode 8

We’ll have an in-depth discussion of Air Traffic Control privatization in our next episode with guests who know much more than Jason and Ian. Tune in then!

Let Us Know What You Think

Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

If you haven’t watched the video of the Boeing 787-10 and 737 MAX 9 flying together yet, take two minutes and watch it below. Then we’ll take a look at the tracking data.

Tracking the Photo Flight

The combined tracks of the 787-10 and 737 MAX 9 on 6 June

Boeing took its two newest jets, the 787-10 and 737 MAX 9, over Washington State on 6 and 7 June for some beautiful air-to-air photography ahead of the Paris Air Show. The pair headed to the mountains east of Seattle for close formation flying. The dramatic departure footage included in the video was captured as each aircraft departed Moses Lake. We’ve included the KML files from the 6 June flight below so you can explore the flights in detail.

KML Files and Data

Download the KML files from the 6 June flights here.

Track the 737 MAX 9 here.

Track the 787-10 here.

On 19 June, we were fortunate enough to join the pilots of Norwegian flight DY4221 (NAX21U) on the flight deck for the four hour flight from Stockholm-Arlanda to Málaga. When we weren’t busy staring out the window or staying out of the way, we took a few photos and some video.

Departure

We received our departure clearance and headed for Runway 01L, ready to depart via the NOSLI 4 C Standard Instrument Departure (SID) up to 5000 feet.

Our departure clearance, off Runway 01L, via the NOSLI4C departure

Flightradar24 In Flight

Cruising over Germany, we took the opportunity to check Flightradar24. The in-set screenshots and the photo were taken less than a minute apart.

Checking Flightradar24 in flight over Germany

South of Freiburg we made a gentle right turn to put us on a course over Basel.

A right turn towards Switzerland

After passing Geneva, Lyon, and Toulouse, we made a slight left to cross the Pyrenees.

Turning south to cross the Pyrenees

Preparing to cross the Pyrenees at 37,000 feet

One last look at the instruments as we descend through 14,000 feet approaching Málaga.

Descending into Málaga

Flightradat24 Data

See playback of DY4221.

Playback of DY4221

ADS-B-supported surveillance offers the most promise for the widest variety of safety, environmental, and operational performance solutions and we continue to work with a variety of industry leading partners to develop global coverage solutions. We’re excited to announce today two new initiatives that add to our efforts to track any aircraft, anytime, anywhere.

Flightradar24 Partner with NAVBLUE to Launch N-tracking

Announced at the Paris Air Show, we’re strengthening our existing two-year partnership with NAVBLUE, an Airbus company, to launch N-tracking, a global aircraft surveillance solution. Leveraging our world-leading terrestrial ADS-B network and secure ACARS for remote and oceanic flights, operators will be able to monitor their fleets worldwide. The solution is coupled with an event alert system that detects and highlights any route deviations from the initial flight plan in line with ICAO recommendations. In addition a Collaborative Decision Making Information system provides updates in real-time thanks to Flightradar24 ADS-B data and ACARS messages. It allows dispatchers to better manage airport congestion, delays and turn-around.

“This is another great milestone in the evolution of our partnership with Airbus, and I am excited to work together with Airbus and its partners on the future of global flight tracking” said Philip Plantholt, VP Strategy & Business Development at Flightradar24.

NAVBLUE offerings and the overall industry will benefit in the near future from collaboration with Airbus, Spire, and Flightradar24. This collaboration aims at creating a surveillance digital eco-system fusing space and ground data to provide global, near real time data to track every aircraft, anywhere, anytime.

“At an increasing pace, airlines around the world are looking for more and more comprehensive digital services solutions that is at the heart of our partnership enriched by Airbus Defence and Space, Flightradar24, and Spire” said Mike Hulley, President and CEO at NAVBLUE.

From left, Philippe Mhun, Airbus; Evert Dudok, Airbus Defence & Space; Laurent Martinez, Airbus; Philip Plantholt, Flightradar24; Theresa Condor, Spire; Carina Schnitzenbaumer, Airbus Defence & Space; Fabrice Villaume, NAVBLUE

SAGAS – Satellite Augmented Global Aircraft Surveillance

In keeping with our ultimate goal of global ADS-B coverage, we have joined with Airbus Defence & Space, NATS UK, ESSP and GOMSpace to explore the viability of a holistic framework of multi-source ADS-B applications. The consortium has been selected by the European Space Agency to develop ADS-B integrated services reflecting the needs of users and stakeholders for ESA IAP.

Integrating multiple sources of ADS-B data improves overall coverage and reliability and enables a much broader portfolio of possible services. The consortium offers a breadth and depth of experience in airborne and space products, air navigation services, ADS-B data provision, nanosatellite technology, and satellite operations and service management uniquely suited to deliver exemplary multisource ADS-B-based integrated application services.

In episode 8, we recap some of the major announcements from the Paris Air Show, like the launch of the 737 MAX 10, this year’s big seller, Boeing’s tease of a ‘New Market Airplane’, and Airbus’ new A380plus winglets.

A brief apology, as we had earlier planned to discuss ATC privatization, but as everyone we wanted to bring on the show was already in Paris, this was not possible. We will discuss the issue in a future episode.

Paris Air Show Highlights

The 737 MAX 10 was launched and quickly purchased. Boeing’s NMA or what may become the 797 was teased by the company. Airbus added winglets to the A380 to complete the A380plus. Airbus also developed ejectable data and voice recorders for inclusion on the A350 and other aircraft beginning in a few years. And we briefly cover Flightradar24’s partnership with NAVBLUE on N-tracking, a new global coverage solution.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on Airbus’ A380plus winglets. Email us or drop us a note on twitter or Facebook.

The new winglet option for the A380plus

In our discussion of Paris Air Show flying displays, we mentioned a special transponder mode. Here’s what that switch looks like on a Boeing 737-800.

A transponder on a 737-800 showing the Altitude Reporting Off mode.

Boeing Takes the 737 MAX 9 and 787-10 Out for Spin

Prior to the Paris Air Show, Boeing took its 737 MAX 9 and 787-10 up over Washington to shoot some amazing air-to-air video. Watch the video and see the data behind the flight.

Weather Balloon Buzzed by a Delta A319 at 37,000 feet

A weather balloon above Newark, New York (near Rochester) got a close look at Delta flight 159 on its way from Boston to Detroit. Watch the video below.

Let Us Know What You Think

Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

This week, a few members of the Flightradar24 team took some time during their visit to Scotland for an avgeek beach day at Barra. Flights at Barra are unique as they land and take off on the beach. Naturally, operations occur during low tide. Check out some of the photos and video from their day trip.

Departure and Arrival

Barra Airport

Flights land on the beach, then taxi towards the terminal, disembarking passengers on the sand.

With no paved runway, flights arrive and depart from the beach at Barra

Arrival

Passengers disembark on the beach and walk to the terminal.

G-HIAL parked on the beach at Barra after landing

Baggage Collection

The baggage reclamation process is generally expeditious.

The compact baggage reclaim at Barra

Control Tower

The control tower at Barra hosts a Flightradar24 ADS-B receiver.

The control tower at Barra, which hosts a Flightradar24 ADS-B receiver

Back to Glasgow

An in-flight photo with the flight crew and the FR24 crew.

FR24’s Slava and Olga with Capt. Abernethy and FO Van-Dijk | Photo thanks to FO Van-Dijk

Looking down on Glasgow Airport

A busy Glasgow Airport

With the new Passngr app, a cooperation of German airports lead by Munich airport, users can now track flights arriving and departing Munich, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf airports in real-time. Thanks to the Flightradar24 SDK, users can follow flights from directly inside the Passngr app, now available for Android and iOS, and see a flight’s actual path. Flightradar24 provides real-time data and an intuitive map interface to follow flights to or from all three airports, with more airports to launch the Passngr app soon.

Flightradar24 inside Passngr, with integrated design specifically for the app

From the arrival or departure boards, users can tap on a live flight to find its exact position of the flight and information about the aircraft and its speed and altitude.

Passngr’s implementation of the Flightradar24 SDK is the first by an airport cooperative, and follows inclusion of the SDK by major airlines, like easyJet, in their mobile apps.

Want to add real-time flight tracking to your app?

Are you an airline, airport, or app developer looking to add real-time flight tracking to your mobile app? The Flightradar24 SDK is a flexible, easy-to-integrate solution for flight tracking in your Android or iOS app. If you’d like to learn more about how you can include real-time flight tracking to your app, please get in touch.

In an effort to mitigate the effects of a planned 16-day strike by its mixed-fleet cabin crew, British Airways is leasing nine A320 aircraft from Qatar Airways. The aircraft were flown from Doha to London on 30 June and will enter service on 1 July.

Qatar Airways A320s are ferried to London for service with British Airways, 30 June

The Aircraft and Initial Destinations

The aircraft are on lease to British Airways via wet lease, meaning the aircraft and crews are provided by Qatar Airways, but will operate with British Airways flight numbers.

The nine aircraft scheduled to fly for British Airways and their initial routes from London are:

1. A7-ADA — Brussels
2. A7-ADB — Munich | Nice
3. A7-ADC — Oslo | Krakow
4. A7-ADD — Sofia | Madrid
5. A7-ADE — Not yet scheduled
6. A7-ADF — Kiev
7. A7-ADG — Not yet scheduled
8. A7-ADI — Not yet scheduled
9. A7-LAA — Zurich | Tallinn

Aircraft to Spare

Qatar Airways is able to make these aircraft available due to ongoing restrictions on Qatar-registered flights to, from, or through Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The lack of flights to destinations in these nearby countries, as well as the up-gauging of aircraft on other routes, has left Qatar Airways with excess capacity.

Each month we send out new Flightradar24 ADS-B receivers to hosts around the world to increase ADS-B and MLAT coverage. During the first half of 2017 we’ve activated 550 new Flightradar24 receivers and thousands of additional home-built receivers. This month those receivers helped us track over 5.1 million flights.

New Flightradar24 ADS-B Receivers activated during first half of 2017 (click to enlarge)

In June, we activated new Flightradar24 receivers on six continents, adding new coverage and enhancing our MLAT coverage in places like Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Venezuela, Djibouti, and China.

The Map

Here’s the full map of all receivers activated during June (click to expand).

New Flightradar24 receivers activated during the month of June (click to enlarge)

Help Add ADS-B Coverage

We are always looking for new receiver hosts. Especially if you or someone you know lives in a remote location, please apply to host a receiver. All of our receiver hosts get a free Flightradar24 Business Subscription, which can be used on the web or within our new mobile app. If you’re interested, please apply today. If you’d you like more information about our application process, you can read more about it in our blog post.

Use Your Own Hardware

Have a Raspberry Pi sitting around collecting dust or looking to get started with tracking flights with a quick project? Build your own receiver to help us increase ADS-B and MLAT coverage in your area. Our simple guide walks you through the steps from getting the parts you need to setting up your receiver. Learn more today!

In episode 9, we talk about some of the stranger aviation stories over the past few weeks, including a passenger new to approach patterns and a woman who threw coins into an engine for luck. We also talk with Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren Norwegian’s first 737 MAX delivery and long-haul, low-cost flying.

Approach and Landing

A passenger, not understanding how approach patterns work, accused the pilots of her flight of being ‘drunk’. It escalated from there. We talk about why that’s such a serious accusation and how approaches to major airports can sometimes lead to a circuitous path.

The original tweet has since been deleted and person who made the accusation has since protected their twitter account, but the main thread begins here.

AA1280 landing path into JFK/KJFK

Long-haul, Low-cost Flying

Norwegian took delivery of its first 737 MAX last week and our guest, Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren was on board the 9 hour flight from Seattle to Oslo. Jeremy describes the flight and we discuss the perks and perils of long-haul, low-cost flying.

British Airways leases Qatar A320s

British Airways is flying some short- and medium-haul routes with Qatar Airways aircraft and crews. We talk about why and how you can see which flights will be operated by Qatar Airways aircraft.

An Aircraft Engine is Not a Wishing Well

An elderly woman flying from Shanghai to Guangzhou on China Southern Airlines delayed the flight by five hours after throwing nine coins into the engine for luck during boarding. That’s a 34 minute per coin delay.

Flight CZ380 was delayed by five hours as maintenance personnel removed the coins from the engine

Let Us Know What You Think

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