What the data is,
and what it isn’t.
Plain-language notes on where our data comes from, its limits, and how we license it. Written terms for each plan take precedence over this page.
Where it comes from
Aircraft transponders broadcast their identity and, when equipped with ADS-B Out, their position, altitude and velocity. Our data comes primarily from ground receivers run by volunteers in the adsb.win network, which pick up those broadcasts on 1090 MHz and, in the United States, 978 MHz UAT. For transponders that don’t report a position, we estimate one by multilateration (MLAT) from the times several receivers heard the same message.
What it isn’t
- It is not certified for air traffic control, navigation, collision avoidance or any other safety-of-life use, and must never be relied on for those purposes.
- It is not a complete picture of the sky. Aircraft without a working transponder and aircraft out of range of every receiver will be missing.
- It is not information about people. Broadcasts identify aircraft, not who owns, flies or travels on them, and we don’t try to find out.
Coverage and accuracy
Receivers need line of sight, so coverage thins out at low altitude, behind terrain and far from populated areas. Positions are as accurate as the aircraft reports them; MLAT positions are estimates and less precise. Altitudes are usually barometric, and times in flight logs are derived from what receivers heard, so they can differ from Hobbs, tach or block times.
Licensing during early access
Early-access partners receive written terms with their API keys. At general availability every plan will be published with terms covering commercial use, public display, retention and resale. If you’re unsure whether a use is allowed, ask us before you build it.
Questions
Write to hello@radixwave.com.