Forget expensive, proprietary radar equipment for monitoring local airspace. FlightAware puts the power of global flight tracking into the hands of makers, amateur radio hobbyists, and aviation enthusiasts.

FlightAware hardware utilises ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) technology to receive real-time location and telemetry data directly from overhead aircraft. At the core of their lineup are specialised USB SDRs (Software Defined Radios) like the Pro Stick Plus. These dongles feature built-in RF amplifiers and filters to significantly reduce signal loss and improve your tracking range.

These components pair seamlessly with Raspberry Pi single-board computers using the free PiAware software. As an added bonus for the community, makers who feed their local ADS-B data back into the global FlightAware network are rewarded with a complimentary Enterprise-level account, unlocking advanced tracking features and historical flight data.

Ready to build your own ground station? Check out what this system can do or head over to our Maker Forum for help and - get your PiAware project off the ground!