Aircraft data methodology

How skyVVard identifies aircraft, evaluates sources and distinguishes observations from animation.

Aircraft identity and sources

We use public aviation registries, operator disclosures and documented aviation references. Each curated aircraft has a stable aircraft ID; registration and ICAO address changes are recorded separately. A callsign is not a physical aircraft identity.

Associations and verification

Aircraft associations describe documented organizational relationships. Aircraft activity does not establish who is onboard. VERIFIED records have reviewed evidence; HISTORICAL records are labeled as history; UNVERIFIED records remain unpublished. Associations enter a review queue after 90 days. Review dates do not guarantee that ownership or paint schemes have remained unchanged.

Received observations and estimated movement

Live discovery requires an airborne observation within two minutes. Every observation retains its source timestamp. Missing coverage, privacy mechanisms and provider restrictions can make tracking incomplete. Smooth motion and animated landings are presentation estimates, not evidence of actual movements or confirmed gates. Unknown destinations remain unknown.

Data credits and permitted use

ADSB.lol publishes its data under the Open Database License. Optional FlyItalyADSB data is credited under CC BY-SA 4.0, subject to API limits. AirLabs details are separately subject to the configured plan and provider terms. Source availability varies; a listed source is not a claim that it is currently connected.

Privacy and source restrictions

We do not publish private contact information from registry records, identify occupants, reconstruct withheld provider data, or deanonymize temporary privacy addresses. No provider's public availability alone authorizes unrestricted republication. Aircraft profiles link to their reference sources; original photos and registry documents are not reproduced.

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