My aviation stuff, pilot logbook and aircraft notes.
A few years ago, before I ever took control of an aircraft, my interest in aviation led me into the following: building my own ground station. At the time, I was still on the ground, but already deeply curious about how aircraft communicate and move through the skies.
I set up a Raspberry Pi and connected an RTL-SDR receiver to capture ADS-B signals from passing aircraft. With the right software running, I could suddenly see real-time data from airplanes flying overhead. It felt like opening a small window into the aviation world I had only been observing from a distance. I spent time configuring different tools, improving signal reception, and learning how the system worked. The more I tuned it, the more aircraft I could detect and track with increasing accuracy. It quickly became more than just a project. It became a way for me to understand aviation from the inside out.
I also explored how this data could be shared with flight tracking networks like FlightRadar24. By contributing ADS-B data, it’s possible to support these platforms and even receive benefits in return, such as free licenses. But for me, the real reward was the learning experience and the connection to real-world aviation data.
Looking back, this project was one of my first steps into aviation, even before I ever stepped into a cockpit. It showed me how technology and aviation come together in a very tangible way. And it quietly built the foundation for everything that came after.
— IY