Hiding from flight trackers

[Ralliart]

I was just curious what does it take to have your aircraft blocked or removed from flight tracking services like Flightaware? Do you need to submit some special paperwork, or apply for permission?

I've seen heaps of private aircraft listed as "Blocked" before on Flightaware, but today I was at an FBO when a bizjet came in and out without showing up at all on the tracker. I believe he was heading direct to Europe.

I realise the need or desire for some persons or companies to ensure privacy with their flights, so this was more of a question out of boredom on a slow day!

[ILSfan07]

Here's the FAQ from flightaware... hope it helps

Can I block my aircraft on FlightAware? (Back To Top)

Yes, there are two ways to accomplish this:
FlightAware Selective (Un)blocking
Enroll in FlightAware's selective unblocking service for a tail number that is not already blocked.

FlightAware can process your request with next-day service and will block your operations from the general public. Your FlightAware account(s) will continue to be able to securely view and track your aircraft. FlightAware will complete the paperwork necessary for blocking your aircraft on other flight tracking services and will provide you with everything you need to accomplish the block.

Blocking request through NBAA BARR
The NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) operates and maintains the BARR (Blocked Aircraft Registration Request) in conjunction with the FAA. This service is free although it may take 30-45 days to take effect and will not allow your user account to track your aircraft on FlightAware unless you subscribe to FlightAware's selective unblocking service.

For us to submit your request, simply contact us to walk you through the process.

[AuxBatOn]

Military and government won't show up at all. Otherwise, you need to send a request to the tracking provider. He cannot refuse to hide you.

[W0X0F]

I find it hard to accept why any flight should be blocked from tracking. Perhaps some operational military flights but none else. Whether it be a government flight, commercial or private or anything else in between, it uses the airspace that is the property of our nation and by extension us the citizens. We should without exception be fully entitled to see who is using an asset that belongs to all of us. Is GM's attempt to save embarrassment reason to deny the public knowledge of who is using their airspace? I don't think so. Security? Give me a break. Equality for all. If you want to use a public asset, do so in plain view for all to see.

[Intentional Left Bank]

I find it hard to accept why any flight should be blocked from tracking. Perhaps some operational military flights but none else. Whether it be a government flight, commercial or private or anything else in between, it uses the airspace that is the property of our nation and by extension us the citizens. We should without exception be fully entitled to see who is using an asset that belongs to all of us. Is GM's attempt to save embarrassment reason to deny the public knowledge of who is using their airspace? I don't think so. Security? Give me a break. Equality for all. If you want to use a public asset, do so in plain view for all to see.

Further to that viewpoint, do you think that I should be able to track your car when you are driving down my streets and highways?

[TG]

I find it hard to accept why any flight should be blocked from tracking. Perhaps some operational military flights but none else. Whether it be a government flight, commercial or private or anything else in between, it uses the airspace that is the property of our nation and by extension us the citizens. We should without exception be fully entitled to see who is using an asset that belongs to all of us. Is GM's attempt to save embarrassment reason to deny the public knowledge of who is using their airspace? I don't think so. Security? Give me a break. Equality for all. If you want to use a public asset, do so in plain view for all to see.

I understand your point but it might not be as simple as this for people/corporate or company requiring the 'blockage'.
Some flying operations may require privacy.
-Like super Rock Stars who don't want Paparazzi or groupies bang on time at each of their arrivals.
-A CEO that don't want concurrency see him landing in a particular place that might reveal his business intentions.
-A client requirement for the same reason as the CEO above.
-Real security concern for some people.
-Etc....

In some way, it make me think like Intentional Left Bank.
OnStar and the 'Big Brother' reaction people would have if locations, travels and arrival times of cars equipped with it would be made public. With everybody able to find the name of the owner.

[W0X0F]

Good points from ILB & TG. My car does not have a transponder or operate in radar coverage. That said, there are hundreds of traffic cams around, many on the web and my ride is there for all to see. TG, agreed it is somewhat different in aviation because the registered owners of airplanes are listed. My answer to you is if your a 'Rock Star' go commercial. Anyone could be onboard a charter aircraft. I still am of the opinion that a conscientious citizenry with unfettered access to public information is the best protection for all our rights, or perhaps better stated, our privileges and responsibilities. I am no fan of big brother but I find that much of the privacy and access to information crap to be a double-edged sword. It is cumbersome legislation and regulation that can be and is used to manipulated what is made public.

[Intentional Left Bank]

Yes, you can be seen on traffic-cam, but you are also relatively anonymous. No one can easily correlate your licence plate number with your identity. I'm comfortable with the notion that a corporation might want to keep the travel itinerary of its executives relatively private.

As to the idea that if "your [sic] a 'Rock Star' go commercial", I consider that a complete waste of the Rock Star's time. Consider the following example: Rock Star wants to fly from Kelowna to Birmingham, AL for a three-hour concert. With a minimum of two stops, the shortest duration of flight will be about nine hours, plus a two hour check-in, so about eleven hours. The concert could not happen on the date of travel. Shortest possible duration of trip would be 51 hrs. On the other hand, with a 10am departure in a corporate jet, arrive at 5pm, departing the following morning at 6am, results in a trip time of 33hrs. If the Rock Star is worth 1 million/year or 550/hr, taking the jet saves $10k, for Rock Star alone, not counting price of the jet. It may well work out that the price is the same, but the time saved in my opinion makes the corporate jet an invaluable tool.

For close destinations, the savings would conceivable be even greater, particularly if you're flying from secondary airport to secondary airport, and able to conduct the flights and the business in the same day.

[Spokes]

Man, I shoulda been a Rock Star....

[SAR_YQQ]

it uses the airspace that is the property of our nation and by extension us the citizens. We should without exception be fully entitled to see who is using an asset that belongs to all of us. I

Rest assured that those who need to know who is flying in our skies, knows... Joe Public has his/her rights, as afforded by our Charter - airspace use is not covered.

[C-GGGQ]

it uses the airspace that is the property of our nation and by extension us the citizens. We should without exception be fully entitled to see who is using an asset that belongs to all of us. I

Rest assured that those who need to know who is flying in our skies, knows... Joe Public has his/her rights, as afforded by our Charter - airspace use is not covered.

Exactly. He's still showing up on controller radar, and TCAS. Joe public just can't track its every move, hardly need to know information.

[Ogee]

I find it hard to accept why any flight should be blocked from tracking. Perhaps some operational military flights but none else. Whether it be a government flight, commercial or private or anything else in between, it uses the airspace that is the property of our nation and by extension us the citizens. We should without exception be fully entitled to see who is using an asset that belongs to all of us. Is GM's attempt to save embarrassment reason to deny the public knowledge of who is using their airspace? I don't think so. Security? Give me a break. Equality for all. If you want to use a public asset, do so in plain view for all to see.

In that case, why don't we monitor anyone who is breathing. After all, that air "belongs to all of us". I don't know where you get this kind of rubbish from, buddy, but it is police state stuff, along with the obligatory "I'm not in favor of big brother" crap. Free people don't want the state watching them. Period.

Do you think we should be entitled to know who is using public toilets, assets that belong to all of us? Or have the eye on you while you're peeing in a National Park?

That's one of the stupidest posts I've ever seen on AvCanada. I'd venture a guess that you think the RCMP are a fine organization as well, no?

[Blakey]

That's one of the stupidest posts I've ever seen on AvCanada.

You must be new here. Wait till you read some of mine!!

[SuperchargedRS]

If I fly somewhere it's none of anyones business where or why unless I break the law (which I dont) and if I were to break the law I am sure the authorities will find a way to get the info they want anyway.

Thanks for the info on BARR btw


The civilians that dont want to be tracked arnt the ones you should worry about, the govt flights you all seem ok with being hidden are the ones you should be a little more curious about, after all you are paying for the plane, gas etc lol.

[b1ngnx33]

War is peace.

Ignorance is knowledge.

Violence is pacifism.

Hate is love.

Welcome to 1984, I mean 2009.

I didn't even know you could hide from the flight trackers.

Military and gov't planes are automatically hidden. NICE!

Must be nice to go anywhere and do anything you want to do.

[AuxBatOn]

Must be nice to go anywhere and do anything you want to do.

It shows how little you know about how the military operates its fleets. Why the hell do you need to know where, for example, our C-17s/Hornets/Hercs are headed, via what route what its ETA is?

[Prairie Chicken]

Transport's a/c show up on FlightAware.

[SAR_YQQ]

the govt flights you all seem ok with being hidden are the ones you should be a little more curious about, after all you are paying for the plane, gas etc lol.

Your tax dollars at work I guess. Good thing we live in a democratic society where we entrust our elected officials and the Government to conduct business.

Do I care about fuel burn - not really? Do I complete my mission - absolutely. We are restricted by the amount of flying we can do each year - Yearly Flying Rate (YFR). The CF as a whole is only given X number of hours (or $$) that it can fly. With the war going on, we are paying Peter to pay Paul. Lots of flying overseas = less flying here.

If you want to know what your CF is doing, contact your local Public Affairs Officer and ask - they are trained to release whatever information they can.

[Donald]

Do I care about fuel burn - not really? Do I complete my mission - absolutely.

Ohhhhh....I'm tempted....maybe just once I will bite my tongue and keep my opinion to myself.

Just this once.

[SAR_YQQ]

Ohhhhh....I'm tempted....maybe just once I will bite my tongue and keep my opinion to myself.

Sounds like sound thinking.

Quite frankly, the Joe Public has no concept of what the CF is doing on a daily basis. Until 9-11, this was status-quo for us - as we were shunned and ignored by the average citizen. We continue to do our jobs as the silent minority. Our cog in the wheel turns relatively squeaky free and goes mostly un-noticed - as it really should be.

[InTheGame]

Once a request is submitted to Flightaware and your aircraft registration is blocked it is blocked forever unless you pay their fee to unblock it .....which is pretty hefty just a word of caution