How to set up a connection to ADS-B Exchange
Using data of ADS-B Exchange is via a subscription through RapidAPI, which requires you to register with RapidAPI, and subscribe to ADSBEx's API. Free plans may be available, details below.
Also, please see their usage Terms & Conditions. If interested in API details see their documentation.
LiveTraffic Settings
Find them in Settings > Input Channels > ADS-B Exchange:
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|
| | Enables usage of ADS-B Exchange as a live flight data channel.This setting is only available if you filled in an API key in the next field. |
| | This link opens the ADSBX Radar View, in which you can check coverage, centered on your current simulated location. The same link appears on the Status page. |
| | Paste or enter your API Key into this edit field. See below for how to come by an API key.A button "Test and Save key" appears when you enter the key: Click the button to have LiveTraffic send a test request to ADS-B Exchange for validation of the key. If the test succeeded the key is saved to your settings and the channel enabled, otherwise not. |
...RAPID API requests left | | If ADSBEx is running with a RapidAPI key, then LiveTraffic shows the remaining quota as reported by RapidAPI. |
Paid Subscription through RapidAPI
I did my best to verify the information on this page, but I can't guarantee for it to be correct, complete, and always up-to-date. This all depends on how ADS-B Exchange offers the data and how RapidAPI works. Please also read their documentation, many links are provided throughout the document. It is their service in the end, not mine. But I am happy to correct things if you point them out, e.g. in the support forum.
This way has been introduced in May 2019 and has originally been designed with plugins like LiveTraffic in mind, which need only a very specific access to tracking data, namely aircraft in a defined radius around a center location. Please see their available subscription plans. There might be a free option with a lower request quota and paid ones for higher volumes. All fees go to ADS-B Exchange. LiveTraffic and its author are not affiliated with ADS-B Exchange and I don't receive any gratitudes etc.
You may want to start with a free version and once understanding API Request Quotas and if they limit you, only consider updating to a paid subscription.
To connect to ADS-B Exchange via RapidAPI do as follows:
Register with RapidAPI, click on the "Sign up" link on their homepage and follow instructions for creating an account. Registration by itself is free.
Go to the ADSBEx Flight Sim Traffic API pricing page and select a plan by clicking its "Subscribe" button. For paid options, you will be asked for credit card details. (Tip: The last field is for your zip / post code.)
Back in LiveTraffic, paste this key into Settings > Input Channels > ADS-B Exchange > API Key, see above, and click on "Test and Save key".
API Request Quotas
As of May 2019, all plans include a limited number of requests per month. Read the plans' conditions to understand what happens after the request limit is exceeded, so if access just stops or if you pay a (probably high) pay-as-you-go price for every single additional request made by LiveTraffic.You can influence how often LiveTraffic sends requests and hence how long such a request budget lasts!
LiveTraffic sends requests in regular intervals as configured in Live data refresh in the Advanced Settings. By default this is every 20 seconds, or 3 requests per minute.
If your API request quota is, say 5,760 requests per month (the free Basic plan's limit as of Nov-2023), then this converts to 1,920 minutes = 32 hours of simulation time. And you can further extend these hours if you configure a longer refresh period while flying at high altitude.
Would you configure LiveTraffic's refresh period to be 30s, then LiveTraffic would send only 2 requests per minute and the 5,760 request quota lasts for 48 hours. The downside is that longer refresh rates will lead to less accurate plane movement. Play with the refresh period to find your personal sweet spot.
Monitoring API Usage
LiveTraffic shows the number of remaining API requests of your monthly quota in the Channel Settings, see the screenshot above. This information is returned by RapidAPI with every network response received. It is not tracked by LiveTraffic. It really is RapidAPI's information. Hence it should be fairly accurate.
You can (and probably should) also monitor your usage directly at RapidAPI. RapidAPI has some documentation on monitoring API usage.
Contribute by Feeding ADS-B Data
If your are running an ADS-B receiver please consider feeding ADS-B Exchange to grow all our network.
FAQs
Unlike traditional radar systems that require an external signal to locate an aircraft, and expensive ground equipment, ADS-B relies on the aircraft's onboard navigation/GPS systems, making it more accurate and reliable for air traffic control and other monitoring purposes.
How does ADS-B Exchange work? ›
These individuals host signal receivers in their local areas, capturing the radio waves emanating from nearby aircraft. This localized data is then transmitted to ADS-B Exchange, where it is aggregated and displayed on an interactive global map, available for public consumption.
What is the difference between MLAT and ADS-B? ›
But MLat determines an aircraft's position by triangulation from several stations, while a single ADS-B station uses the GPS position transmitted in the aircraft's ADS-B message.
Why is my plane not showing up on ADS-B? ›
There are a few reasons why your aircraft may not be shown. First, the aircraft may not be fitted with an ADS-B transponder, meaning it is not compatible with our receiver network. Second, if the aircraft is fitted with a Mode S transponder and not visible, it may be flying in areas with little or no MLAT coverage.
What are the flaws of ADS-B? ›
The ADS-B system does have its flaws. A major flaw is that the frequency is shared with Mode A, Mode C, and Mode S transponders as well as TCAS and other users (ads-b.com). The system would be on one of the busiest airspaces in the world.
Can ADS-B be spoofed? ›
ADS-B spoofing refers to the malicious manipulation of ADS-B signals to transmit false information about an aircraft's position, velocity, and identification. This interferes with Detect and Avoid (DAA) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, compromises airspace awareness and leads to safety and security risks.
What happened to ADS-B Exchange? ›
ADS-B Exchange, beloved for resisting censorship, was sold to a company owned by private equity—and now even its biggest fans are bailing. A major independent flight tracking platform, which has made enemies of the Saudi royal family and Elon Musk, has been sold to a subsidiary of a private equity firm.
Who runs ads on B Exchange? ›
“ADS-B Exchange was founded as the go-to resource for aviation and flight-data enthusiasts,” said Dan Streufert, President and Founder of ADS-B Exchange. “Joining forces with JETNET is the perfect match as we look to meet the business needs of our users while maintaining our enthusiast roots and unfiltered data.
How do I know if my ADS-B is working? ›
You can determine if your ADS-B Out system is meeting rule performance requirements by requesting a free Public ADS-B Performance Report (PAPR). Requesting a PAPR is the best and easiest way to check that your equipment is meeting all the requirements of 91.227.
Does the military use ADS-B? ›
But to help facilitate the safe and efficient movement of air traffic, U.S. military aircraft routinely transmit via ADS-B and other transponder types.
If the ATC controller has the ADS-B indicators turned on they are able to tell you if they are seeing your ADS-B target. If they do not have the indicators on they will not know. Transponders and ADS-B are required to be on. If a transponder has failed, ATC using fused mode will not know.
Do you need ADS-B to fly IFR? ›
Can I fly under IFR in non- ADS-B airspace if my aircraft is not equipped with ADS-B ? Yes, the requirements of the ADS-B rule apply only to the airspace defined in 14 CFR 91.225, regardless of whether or not the operation is conducted under VFR or IFR .
Can a pilot turn off ADS-B? ›
Pilots can easily make a misstep by turning off their transponder, and there are very limited circ*mstances which allow a pilot to do so.” Civilian aircraft can turn off their ADS-B Out only if specifically instructed to do so by ATC, or if they are the non-lead aircraft in a formation flight, Duke said.
Can I fly into Class C airspace without ADS-B? ›
ADS-B is required in Class A, B and C airspace within U.S. domestic airspace and all land mass regions of the U.S. as defined in 14 CFR 1.1 and it includes the states (contiguous and non-contiguous), U.S. possessions, or territories.
Do you need ADS-B for ForeFlight? ›
All subscriptions and versions of ForeFlight Mobile support ADS-B traffic when connected to a supported receiver. ADS-B traffic is enabled by default when connected to a receiver and can be disabled/enabled by toggling the Traffic layer in the Maps layer selection menu.
Is ADS-B real time? ›
Real-time precision, shared situational awareness, advanced applications for pilots and controllers alike – these are the hallmarks of ADS-B NextGen surveillance. ADS-B improves safety and efficiency in the air and on runways, reduces costs, and lessens harmful effects on the environment.
What are the accuracy requirements for ADS-B? ›
ADS-B Out Performance Requirements
To achieve compliance, NACP must be less than 0.05 nautical miles, with NACV less than 10 meters/second. An aircraft's NIC needs to be less than 0.2 nautical miles. SDA and SIL must be 2 and 3, respectively.
