FlightAware operates the world’s largest flight tracking and data platform through a network of more than 32,000 of its own ADS-B receivers combined with ATC radar data. James Parkman, a senior technical project manager at FlightAware, helped steer members of his team at the flight data company to create Aviator, a new add-on option for traditional FlightAware users who operate piston-engine aircraft. Aviator—released yesterday at AirVenture and accessible on the web and iOS platforms—delivers what Parkman calls the “totality of flight history,” to premium subscribers that’s stored indefinitely on the system. Aviator is additive to the current FlightAware app and can be used with multiple aircraft. Aviator also unlocks premium weather data, map layers, surface visualization, FBO scheduling and ETAs that can be sent to anyone throughout various phases of the flight and are automatically updated through FlightAware.
I had an opportunity to beta test Aviator over the past few weeks. At first, even after downloading the iOS app to run, I was a bit unsure of what Aviator was really all about and how it differed from the free data anyone might obtain with a FlightAware account. But I soon realized the problem was the lack of documentation I’d received before using the new product. I’m one of those pilots who don’t necessarily just play with a new app, even an add-on, to to learn its capabilities and techniques. I need a few specifics to get me going. After spending a few minutes on the phone with Parkman the next few hours of flying with the new app became much clearer.
