Not a plane FAG but they are using sites like flightaware.com or Flightradar24.com. Those sites display airborne craft that are transmitting a discrete frequency for ADS-B compliance. That shows their call sign and or flight number along with speed, altitude and heading.
BUT- For example- Many aircraft are not broadcasting that information (think fighter jet.). So those can not be tracked as easily.
AND- Small drones of the types many hobbyists own and fly do not broadcast the necessary information to be received and rebroadcast/distributed through the ADS-B system.
Yes. A lot of rules. But almost any aircraft above a certain weight (25 pounds?) operating legally in East Coast airspace is required to be utilizing an ADS-B transponder during most phases of flight and even when taxiing on the ground at larger/busier airports.
There are many other rules regulating this. But in particular trying to navigate up the east coast after passing by Dover AFB and then Atlantic City and McQuire Approach’s airspace and then to New York metropolis airspace VFR would really be a challenge. But even VFR and squawking VFR when close to congested airspace the aircraft must be transmitting data using an appropriate ADS-B compliant transponder.
Question for planefags here at GAW: Is it possible for civilians to track drones in the same way you guys are able to track flights?
Not a plane FAG but they are using sites like flightaware.com or Flightradar24.com. Those sites display airborne craft that are transmitting a discrete frequency for ADS-B compliance. That shows their call sign and or flight number along with speed, altitude and heading.
BUT- For example- Many aircraft are not broadcasting that information (think fighter jet.). So those can not be tracked as easily.
AND- Small drones of the types many hobbyists own and fly do not broadcast the necessary information to be received and rebroadcast/distributed through the ADS-B system.
https://www.adsbexchange.com/
Could an aircraft flying VFR be picked up?
Yes. A lot of rules. But almost any aircraft above a certain weight (25 pounds?) operating legally in East Coast airspace is required to be utilizing an ADS-B transponder during most phases of flight and even when taxiing on the ground at larger/busier airports.
There are many other rules regulating this. But in particular trying to navigate up the east coast after passing by Dover AFB and then Atlantic City and McQuire Approach’s airspace and then to New York metropolis airspace VFR would really be a challenge. But even VFR and squawking VFR when close to congested airspace the aircraft must be transmitting data using an appropriate ADS-B compliant transponder.