I spotted two slow moving "flights" this morning, both over southern England. Both with unusual flight IDs/callsigns and travelling around 25 knts. No other flight data but shown as ADS-B (not MLAT) and using hex codes not found on the CAA website. And now one more at Stansted. Flight ID and hexz codes as shown:
EYELASH 425142
ROADSTER 425173
LSCAPES 424A52
Has anyone picked these up on their local receiver and/or know what they are?
Hi Mike
Hopefully this message posted in ModeS-Groups will help, or at least help explain.
https://mode-s.groups.io/g/mode-s/message/28060
Top 2 could be drones and the last one looks like it is a ground vehicle of some sort.
R :)
425xxx are sort of dynamic, they are registered to a user and not an A/C, they tend to be used on PPG, SSDR, drones etc.
I have had a good look around and can't find a database for the 425xxx series anywhere, I'm trying to build my own info is limited unless you actually see it, quite a few seem to be names of people. :)
PPG is up at the moment on the south coast.
https://www.flightradar24.com/PARAIAN/2b3fcbe8
And another, SUB70 C/S so that would suggest this one is a sub 70kg SSDR.
https://www.flightradar24.com/SUB70/2b3fe67b
Quote from: jonboy1081 on March 24, 2022, 10:56:47 AM
And another, SUB70 C/S so that would suggest this one is a sub 70kg SSDR.
Thank you, and rikgale.
I now know that
SSDR is an acronym for a "single seat deregulated" microlight and
PPG for a "Powered paraglider" :)
Does anyone know who is responsible for allocating hex codes to individuals? The CAA website returns:
"No records matched your search criteria."
I think it's the CAA and related to this, more of a safety drive I think.
https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation/Aircraft-ownership-and-maintenance/Electronic-Conspicuity-devices/
https://www.flightradar24.com/FLEXWING/2b3fe285
Quote from: jonboy1081 on March 24, 2022, 11:49:40 AM
I think it's the CAA and related to this, more of a safety drive I think.
https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation/Aircraft-ownership-and-maintenance/Electronic-Conspicuity-devices/
Thanks again. Making progress.
Found this on the link:
How to use 24-bit addresses with EC Devices EC devices use a 24-bit address in the same way as a transponder. This usually forms part of an aircraft's Certificate of Registration. However, as an EC device is designed to be portable and to also be used by unregistered aircraft, the 24-bit address will be programmable by the user. You can find details on how to perform this function in your EC device's operating handbook.
For use on an unregistered aircraftIf you are using an EC device on an unregistered aircraft, you need to contact the CAA Infrastructure Section and provide the following:
Your contact details
The details for your EC device, including:
Make
Model
Serial number
We will then allocate the EC device a unique ICAO 24 bit address to enable it to be used on multiple unregistered aircraft without re-programming.
For use on registered aircraftIf you are using your EC device on a registered aircraft with an existing ICAO 24 bit address, then this address shall be used.
If you need to move the device between registered aircraft, it should be reprogrammed with the new aircraft's ICAO 24 bit address (as appropriate).
Selling your deviceIf you sell your EC device, you need to clear any registered aircraft 24 bit address before the sale. The new purchaser must contact us with their contact details and we will issue a unique 24 bit address if necessary.
Jon - have you considered putting in an FOI to the CAA. See if they will release who/what is assigned to the ICAO Hex they have registered. I can't see why they would not release this as G-INFO allows searching by ICAO Hex.
I wouldn't even know where to start to be honest but it would be useful, although as it's assigned to a person maybe that will be a GDPR issue....
I have 23 in my list, happy to share the info if you guys want it.
If you're happy to post. I would be interested. Thanks :)
Since the transmitters can be moved from one SSDR or PPG to another, retaining the same hex code, we're in the realms of tactical codes as used by some military aircraft.
A moving feast?
Just tried to post, format is all wrong.
Rik I will email it over to you, Anmer drop me a PM with your email if you want it and I will email it over. :)
Quote from: jonboy1081 on March 24, 2022, 06:37:55 PM
Just tried to post, format is all wrong.
What file type were you trying to post?
I tried to attach an excel but that file type was not supported, I tried to paste the text but it all went crazy. 😄
Can you try again?
It wont post as its a .xlsx file.
It says only these are allowed to be attached. Allowed file types: doc, gif, jpg, JPG, jpeg, pdf, png, txt, zip, bmp, mov, clb, out, xsl
PDF works though so thats attached. :)
[attachment deleted reduce file load]
Quote from: jonboy1081 on March 24, 2022, 08:41:18 PM
It wont post as its a .xlsx file.
That's because I wrongly assumed it would be an .xls ::)
Ha ha, format on PDF is not the best.....
Someone made us aware of these on the FR24 forum recently.
It's going to be an absolute nightmare for trackers. Bright idea for the UK AA and their safety strategy.. perhaps
On the one hand, there are the owners wanting to 'see' themselves or their IDs handed out (or their name or made up likely duplicate callsigns!) on trackers.
Then will be the 'what the heck are these' people that use trackers like no tomorrow and spot them.
All the while you have the administrators going 'our Database can't handle duplicate data cells with no fixed HEX to reg or duplicate callsigns that are close to commercial ones already registered'
Quote from: Oblivian on April 18, 2022, 08:53:08 AM
Someone made us aware of these on the FR24 forum recently.
I notified FR24 direct about these on 24th March 2022:
Those earlier flights appear to be microlights and powered paragliders.
It appears the hex codes are allocated to an individual and not the airframe. I'm trying to find out who's allocating the codes. So far all are in the range 425nnn
Well yes, per usual. Community users last to hear about it until someone moans :). User was wanting his own made up callsign added to dbase as a valid callsign/aircraft.
https://forum.flightradar24.com/forum/radar-forums/flightradar24-aircraft-database/11995-discussion-about-flightradar24-database?p=212805#post212805
There he claims it's still the CAA issuing.
But at least if they are in own block inside the UK range starting at 425 it'll be easier to tell databases to 'ignore' them.
Quote from: Oblivian on April 18, 2022, 09:51:52 AM
There he claims it's still the CAA issuing.
But at least if they are in own block inside the UK range starting at 425 it'll be easier to tell databases to 'ignore' them.
Yes, it appears to be the UK CAA allocating the codes and, hopefully, restricted to a known range such as 425nnn.
If I were FR24 I'd show them as Unknown Aircraft/Type and Operator as "Conspicuity Code".
https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/aircraft-ownership-and-maintenance/electronic-conspicuity-devices/
I have 2 on atm, both down near Brize Norton, 425173 ROADSTER is one, 2nd vanshed just before I posted, but was 425177, and I often see the EYELASHES one near my location in Huntingdon
Ray
Hi Ray,
425177 is BOOSEPPG and always seems to be around with ROADSTER, based on PPG I've always presumed that that one is a Powered ParaGlider, Roadster is also a model of PPG made by Ozone. 😄
Cheers
👋 thought I'd just pop on and say hello 😉 and yes you are correct in that we're paramotors 👍😊
That's the best kind of tie-up. One that comes with a personal touch! :)
Would you be kind enough to provide the Manufacture/Model of the PPG?
Thank you for the confirmation.
Think this is them.
https://flyozone.com/paragliders
Indeed 😋 I was actually searching for another 'PPG' that showed up not that far from where I fly which subsequently got me to search my own 'BoosePPG' and found your forum 😊
Sure, I fly a Miniplane Classic frame coupled with a Vittorazi Moster 185 Plus engine and an Ozone Roadster 3 wing 👍 😊