Flight Tracking Resource Directory

This directory compiles active tracking projects, data resources, tools, and code repositories supporting deportation flight monitoring.

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Active Tracking Projects

Witness at the Border

Attribute	Detail
Focus	ICE Air tracking methodology pioneers
Scale	40,000+ flights tracked since 2020
Output	Verified watchlists, flight analysis
Lead	Thomas Cartwright
Website	witnessattheborder.org

ICE Flight Monitor (Human Rights First)

Attribute	Detail
Focus	Data-driven enforcement documentation
Output	Monthly reports, destination analysis
Methodology	Public aviation data analysis
Founded	Late 2025 (absorbed WATB work)

Hidden in Plain Sight (UWCHR)

Attribute	Detail
Institution	University of Washington Center for Human Rights
Focus	FOIA litigation, ARTS database
Output	Published datasets, research reports
Methodology	Legal discovery, data journalism

De-ICE These Flights

Attribute	Detail
Focus	Corporate accountability campaigns
Output	Dual-use contractor exposure
Example	GlobalX NCAA/deportation overlap
Methodology	Boycott campaigns

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Data Resources

Primary Tracking Platforms

Platform	URL	Features
ADS-B Exchange	adsbexchange.com	Unfiltered global tracking
OpenSky Network	opensky-network.org	Academic research access
FlightAware	flightaware.com	Commercial (filtered)
FlightRadar24	flightradar24.com	Commercial (filtered)

Government Databases

Database	Agency	Access
FAA N-Number Registry	FAA	Public
Civil Aviation Registry	FAA	Public
USASpending.gov	Treasury	Contract data
ARTS Database	ICE	FOIA required

FOIA Document Repositories

Source	Content	Access
UWCHR publications	ARTS extracts	Published
ACLU FOIA library	Immigration enforcement docs	Published
Muckrock	Crowdsourced FOIA	Public
DocumentCloud	Uploaded government docs	Searchable

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Software Tools

ADS-B Decoding

Tool	Function	Platform
dump1090-fa	RF demodulation, ADS-B decode	Linux
readsb	Enhanced dump1090 fork	Linux
tar1090	Web interface, JSON API	Linux
graphs1090	Performance graphing	Linux

Receiver Software Distributions

Distribution	Description	URL
PiAware	FlightAware feeder image	flightaware.com
ADSBx Feeder	ADS-B Exchange image	adsbexchange.com
Readsb Custom	DIY receiver stack	—

Analysis Tools

Tool	Function	Platform
QGIS	Desktop GIS	Cross-platform
PostGIS	Spatial database	Linux
Geopandas	Python geospatial	Python
Folium	Interactive maps	Python
Kepler.gl	Large-scale visualization	Web

Alert Infrastructure

Tool	Function	Platform
signal-cli	Signal API interface	Linux
Telegram Bot API	Telegram messaging	Cross-platform
Apache Kafka	Message streaming	Cross-platform
Redis	Pub/sub messaging	Cross-platform

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Code Repositories

ADS-B Receiver Software

Repository	Description
wiedehopf/tar1090	Web interface for ADS-B data
wiedehopf/readsb	Enhanced ADS-B decoder
flightaware/dump1090	Original ADS-B decoder
antirez/dump1090	Alternative fork

Alert and Notification

Repository	Description
AsamK/signal-cli	Signal messenger CLI
python-telegram-bot	Telegram bot framework
ADSB_to_Telegram	ADS-B alerting example

Data Analysis

Repository	Description
geopandas/geopandas	Python geospatial analysis
python-visualization/folium	Interactive mapping
keplergl/kepler.gl	Geospatial visualization

Containerized Deployments

Repository	Description
docker-tar1090	Containerized tar1090
sdr-enthusiasts	Docker images for SDR

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Hardware Suppliers

SDR Receivers

Product	Supplier	Price Range
RTL-SDR Blog V3	rtl-sdr.com	$25-35
FlightAware Pro Stick Plus	FlightAware	$35-45
Nooelec NESDR	nooelec.com	$20-30

Antennas

Type	Gain	Price Range
Quarter-wave ground plane	2-3 dBi	$15-25
Collinear array	5-7 dBi	$40-80
Commercial 1090 MHz	7-9 dBi	$80-150

Compute Platforms

Platform	Use Case	Price Range
Raspberry Pi 4	Primary edge node	$35-55
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W	Low-power edge	$15-25
Orange Pi	Alternative SBC	$25-45

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API Documentation

ADS-B Exchange API v2

Resource	URL
Documentation	adsbexchange.com/data
Pricing	Subscription-based
Rate limits	Tier-dependent

OpenSky Network API

Resource	URL
Documentation	opensky-network.org/apidoc
Access	Research/academic priority
Historical	Available for research

FAA Data

Resource	URL
N-Number Registry	registry.faa.gov
Releasable Database	faa.gov/licenses_certificates
SWIM (System Wide Information Management)	faa.gov/air_traffic

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Learning Resources

Tutorials

Topic	Resource
ADS-B basics	rtl-sdr.com tutorials
Raspberry Pi setup	PiAware documentation
Python analysis	Geopandas documentation
GIS mapping	QGIS tutorials

Technical Documentation

Topic	Resource
Mode S/ADS-B protocol	ICAO Doc 9871
1090 MHz specification	RTCA DO-260B
MLAT principles	Academic papers

Research Publications

Topic	Source
ICE Air analysis	UWCHR publications
Deportation statistics	TRAC Immigration
Aviation surveillance	EFF reports

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Community Resources

Forums and Discussion

Platform	Focus
Reddit r/ADSB	ADS-B hobbyist community
FlightAware forums	Receiver troubleshooting
Discord servers	SDR and aviation

Mailing Lists

List	Focus
ads-b@googlegroups.com	Technical discussion
rtl-sdr@googlegroups.com	SDR development

Conferences

Event	Focus
DEF CON Aviation Village	Aviation security
HOPE	Surveillance countermeasures

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Watchlist Resources

Verified Watchlists

Source	Coverage	Access
Witness at the Border	ICE Air contractors	Research collaboration
UWCHR publications	FOIA-verified aircraft	Published

Watchlist Criteria

Field	Description
hex	ICAO 24-bit address
n_number	FAA registration
operator	Known contractor
aircraft_type	Model designation
confidence	Verification level
sources	Documentation

Watchlist Format

{
  "watchlist": [
    {
      "hex": "A12345",
      "n_number": "N801XT",
      "operator": "GlobalX Airlines",
      "aircraft_type": "A320-200",
      "confidence": "high",
      "last_verified": "2026-03-15",
      "sources": ["FOIA", "pattern_analysis"]
    }
  ],
  "metadata": {
    "version": "2026.03",
    "count": 150,
    "updated": "2026-03-25"
  }
}

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Related Resources

• Aircraft Identification Guide
• Implementation Roadmap
• Flight Tracking Hub

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Last updated: March 25, 2026