About Airframes
A global community-driven network for monitoring real-time communications across aviation, maritime, and space transportation
What is Airframes?
Airframes is a global community-driven project that collects and displays real-time messages from various transportation systems around the world. We monitor ACARS, VDL2, HFDL, AERO-ADSC, and AIS communications from aircraft, ships, balloons, satellites, and space vehicles, providing comprehensive insights into multi-modal transportation networks.
How It Works
Community Network
Our network consists of volunteers around the world who operate ground stations to receive and decode messages from passing vehicles.
Real-time Processing
Messages are processed in real-time, decoded, and made available through our web interface and API for research and educational purposes.
Message Types
✈️ ACARS
Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System messages from commercial aircraft.
🛩️ VDL2
VHF Digital Link mode 2 messages providing air traffic control communications.
🛰️ HFDL
High Frequency Data Link messages for long-range aircraft communications.
✈️ AERO-ADSC
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract messages for aircraft surveillance and reporting.
🚢 AIS
Automatic Identification System messages for maritime vessel tracking and navigation.
🚀 Space Comms
Satellite and space vehicle communications for orbital tracking and operations.
Join Our Community
Airframes is powered by a global community of aviation, maritime, and space transportation enthusiasts. Whether you're interested in operating a ground station, analyzing multi-modal data, contributing to our platform, or just exploring real-time transportation communications, there's a place for you in our community.
Technical Details
Data Collection
- • Software Defined Radio (SDR) receivers
- • Global distributed ground station network
- • Multi-modal transportation monitoring
- • Real-time message processing & decoding
- • Automated quality control & filtering
Data Access
- • Interactive web dashboard
- • RESTful API interface
- • Real-time WebSocket streams
- • Transportation type filtering
- • Historical data archives & analytics
- • Data export capabilities
Privacy & Responsible Use
All data collected by Airframes consists of publicly transmitted messages. We are committed to responsible use of this data and encourage our users to respect privacy and follow applicable regulations. The data is intended for research, educational, and non-commercial purposes.
Questions?
Have questions about Airframes or want to contribute to the project?
Visit Documentation