Curious Pilot

Curious Pilot v1.44

Settings & Info S<br>Keyboard Shortcuts

Observer Mode

Fixed

Aircraft

Flight Track

Select Flight

Start (UTC)

End (UTC)

Include ground time

Saved<br>Flights<br>Import<br>KML or KMZ File<br>FlightAware<br>Lookup<br>OpenSky<br>Lookup

No saved flights.

Flights are saved automatically when loaded. Use the OpenSky Lookup or FlightAware Lookup tab to load a flight.

No flights match your search.

Import a KML or KMZ file containing a track or route.

Both .kml (plain XML) and .kmz (zipped) files are supported

Files with timestamps load into Aircraft Mode for playback

Files without timestamps load into Fixed Mode as a static path

Drop a .kml or .kmz file here or click to browse

Flight track data is provided by FlightAware AeroAPI, a flight tracking service with data back to 2011.

Steps:

Visit the AeroAPI Personal signup page and create a free account

Generate an API key and paste it into the field below

✓ Credentials verified

API Key

Paid Standard plan (historical access back to 2011)

Test<br>Save<br>Clear

FlightAware credentials are required to look up flights.

Set up credentials &uarr;

Aircraft Identifier (Call Sign, Flight Number, Tail Number, ICAO Hex, or fa_flight_id)

Departure Date

Departure Time<br>Local<br>UTC

Departure Airport (optional, ICAO code)

Arrival Airport (optional, ICAO code)

Load Flight

FlightAware AeroAPI — Personal (free)

History window<br>10 days<br>Free allowance<br>$5.00 USD/month<br>Refresh<br>Monthly — charges accrue once consumed<br>Cost per lookup (estimated)<br>~$0.062 (search ~$0.050 + track ~$0.012)<br>~80 lookups/month within free credit<br>Data source<br>FlightAware ADS-B + airline schedules + FAA flight plans + MLAT.<br>Pre-takeoff data<br>Often available, from filed flight plans.<br>Coverage<br>Typically broader than OpenSky — small / regional / GA flights are usually found.<br>Cost tracking<br>Via the AeroAPI portal — billing headers are not returned on this tier.

Create a free account ↗<br>Compare providers &rarr;

Flight track data is provided by the OpenSky Network, a free community service.

Steps:

Visit opensky-network.org and create a free account

Go to your Account page and generate API credentials

Copy your Client ID and Client Secret into the fields below

✓ Credentials verified

Client ID

Client Secret

Paid / institutional plan (full historical archive via Trino)

Test<br>Save<br>Clear

OpenSky credentials are required to look up flights.

Set up credentials &uarr;

Aircraft Identifier (ICAO Hex, US Tail Number, Call Sign, or Flight Number)

Departure Date

Departure Time<br>Local<br>UTC

Departure Airport (optional, ICAO code)

Arrival Airport (optional, ICAO code)

Load Flight

OpenSky Network — Free tier

History window<br>30 days<br>Free allowance<br>4,000 credits/day<br>Refresh<br>Daily<br>Cost per lookup (estimated)<br>~4 credits if<br>Data source<br>Crowdsourced ADS-B receiver network.<br>Pre-takeoff data<br>None — aircraft must be transmitting ADS-B in range of a volunteer receiver.<br>Coverage<br>Varies by region. Small / regional / GA flights are sometimes missed.<br>Cost tracking<br>Live, via the X-Rate-Limit-Remaining response header.

Create a free account ↗<br>Compare providers &rarr;

Provider Comparison

Free Tier Comparison

OpenSky NetworkFlightAware AeroAPI

CostFree credits granted dailyUsers given $5/month of free credits<br>Historic data30 day window10 day window<br>Cost per lookupFree (daily credit quota)~$0.017 per flight, after free credits are consumed<br>Overage chargesNo (hard daily limit, resets at midnight UTC)Yes (~$0.017 per flight, after monthly credit is consumed)<br>Search by call sign / flight numberYesYes<br>Search by ICAO24 hex codeYesYes<br>Search by tail / registration numberNoYes<br>Military / unregistered aircraftYes (if broadcasting ADS-B)No<br>ADS-B feeder bonusNoA free Enterprise Account ($99.95/mo value) with access to 8 months of historic data<br>Credentials neededClient ID + Client Secret (OAuth)Single API key

Paid / Institutional Access

OpenSky NetworkFlightAware AeroAPI

Historic dataFull archive (~2013 to present)Jan 2011 to present (15+ years)<br>How to accessTrino database (SQL queries)Same REST API (Standard plan)<br>EligibilityUniversity, government, aviation authorities onlyAnyone (paid subscription)<br>CostFree (must apply with institutional affiliation)Standard plan (monthly subscription)<br>Academic / researchApply at opensky-network.org with institutional emailMay qualify for free access — contact FlightAware

Observer Location

Go

Lat<br>Lon<br>Alt (ft)

Start Time

Now<br>Local<br>UTC

Playback Speed

1×<br>5×<br>10×<br>60×

Show Satellites<br>+6.5 magnitude

All

BrightestFaintest

Azimuth (True)<br>000° N

SWNES

← LeftForwardRight →

Elevation (°)<br>35°

HorizonZenith

No Satellite Groups Enabled

All satellite groups are currently disabled, so no satellites will appear in the simulation.

Go to Settings &rarr; Satellite Groups to enable one or more groups.

OK

Flight Data Required

No flight track has been loaded.

Use the Load Flight button in the Aircraft panel to load a flight track before using the playback controls.

OK

Predicted...