README.md

python-bcaero

Library/tools to get data from Virgin Australia (and possibly other Lufthansa BoardConnect systems) in-flight tracking systems.

Normally this is available at http://map.boardconnect.aero/

Flight destination tracking is currently unsupported, as VA do not enable this on their flights.

You will need to connect to the plane's WiFi network (normally named the same as your airline) and wait for the plane to reach cruising altitude before this information will be available. Due to CASA regulations, I have not tested this system during takeoff or landing.

API

Various map functions are available via the bcaero.map module.

bcaero.map.current_position()

Gets the current position of the aircraft, as bcaero.map.FlightStatus.

bcaero.map.route()

Returns the route of the aircraft, as a list of bcaero.map.Position.

bcaero.map.ping()

"Pings" the API endpoint. Throws exceptions on failure.

Command-line tools / test programs

Several tools are available by using python -m bcaero... syntax.

bcaero.map

Usage: python -m bcaero.map

Displays the flight number, current location, heading, speed, altitude, and outside temperature of the plane.

bcaero.route_export

Usage: python -m bcaero.route_export track.geojson

This tool can export your plane's current track as a GeoJSON shapefile, with the route as a LineString. This can then be used inside of other applications, for example, QGIS.

Because this information is not available inside of the web service, there is no information about times or speeds on the tracks.