ADS-B: How Does Real-Time Flight Tracking Work?

That same technology can make logging your flights even easier and faster. Discover how.

Wader has just launched a game-changing new feature: ADS-B Flight Import.

Your flight has landed. Just tap "ADS-B" and get your flight information automatically completed in seconds.

Most pilots have opened a flight-tracking app and watched an aircraft move across the map in real time. We usually use these platforms to check departures, follow delays, identify aircraft type and review flight tracks. But behind that moving icon is a technology that has transformed how aircraft are monitored worldwide: ADS-B.

How Does ADS-B works?

ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast.

It emerged as aviation began moving beyond surveillance based exclusively on traditional radar.

Traditional radar is a complex ground installation that determines an aircraft’s position by transmitting a signal and measuring its return. ADS-B works differently: the aircraft determines its own position using GPS and other suitable onboard systems and broadcasts that information automatically.

ADS-B was developed to provide air traffic controllers and pilots with faster and more accurate traffic information, particularly in places where traditional radar infrastructure is difficult or too expensive to install.

Today, ADS-B has become an essential component of modern aviation surveillance.

How Does ADS-B Data Reach Your App?

First, the aircraft’s navigation system calculates its position. The ADS-B Out transponder then broadcasts a radio message containing flight information. That signal can be received by terrestrial ADS-B stations — or, increasingly, by space-based ADS-B receivers aboard satellites — and forwarded to flight-data platforms.

According to FlightAware, one of several flight-data aggregators, its network includes more than 43,000 active feeder devices across approximately 200 countries and territories. Many are hosted by members of the aviation community, while others are installed at airports and aviation facilities.

A single receiver only sees the aircraft within its radio range. By combining data from thousands of receivers, flight-data aggregator systems can follow an aircraft as it moves from one coverage area to another.

Boosting your logbook with ADS-B

The next step is using ADS-B technology to simplify one of the most repetitive tasks in a pilot’s routine: completing the logbook. That's why we've just connected Wader to flight-data aggregator platforms.

Manually entering flight details does not only take time. Every field typed from memory or copied from another system creates another opportunity for incorrect times, missing information or simple typing errors.

With ADS-B Flight Import, Wader can now find your flight and sync its flight data to automatically build your flight logging.

That means less work after every flight and fewer opportunities for manual errors. Your logbook is built around recorded flight data. Depending on data availability, Wader can retrieve the origin and destination airports, aircraft tail number & type, OOOI times, and takeoff and landing runways.

Less typing. Less room for error. More accurate flight records.

At the same time, you remain in complete control of your logbook. Every synced data field can be reviewed and edited whenever you want. Wader handles the repetitive work. You maintain control of your final record.

You can also add future operations

ADS-B Flight Import works for flights you have already completed as well as flights you are scheduled to operate.

For a future flight, Wader creates the entry in advance using the available ETD and ETA times.

You can also activate the Automatically complete your log option. Once the flight has landed and its ADS-B information becomes available, Wader automatically completes the entry with the recorded operational data.

Your flight times are updated into your logbook moments after you set the parking brake, with virtually no additional work.

ADS-B Flight Import FREE trial

ADS-B Flight Import is now available to all Wader users:

• Wader FREE account: 20 complimentary ADS-B import credits so you can try the new feature today!

• Wader PRO subscription: Unlimited ADS-B flight imports.

  
  

Search for your next flight and experience how quickly a complete entry can be added to your logbook via ADS-B.

Get 20% off Wader PRO

To celebrate the launch of ADS-B Flight Import, you can save 20% on the Wader PRO annual plan until September 30, 2026. Don’t miss out on this limited-time opportunity!

Take 20% Off Wader PRO

*After the first year, the subscription returns to the standard annual price.

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We hope you enjoy it!