# Planefinder Live Flightpath Scraper (`romy/planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper`) Actor Planefinder Live Flight Path Scraper fetches the recent geographic track (latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, heading over time) of a currently-tracked aircraft from Planefinder's real-time protobuf API — the same feed the mobile app uses to draw a plane's live trail on the map. - **URL**: https://apify.com/romy/planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Romy](https://apify.com/romy) (community) - **Categories:** Developer tools, Travel - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $30.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ### What does Planefinder Live Flight Path Scraper do? **Planefinder Live Flight Path Scraper** fetches the recent geographic track (latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, heading over time) of a currently-tracked aircraft from [Planefinder's](https://planefinder.net) real-time protobuf API — the same feed the mobile app uses to draw a plane's live trail on the map. Unlike the Planefinder Flight Path Scraper (which needs a `flightId` for a completed flight), this Actor works off an aircraft's live identifiers (`dataSource` + `adshex`) and returns whatever recent track Planefinder is currently holding for it. Results are pushed directly to an Apify dataset, one item per track point, in chronological order. ### Why use Planefinder Live Flight Path Scraper? - **Live trail visualization** — draw the same trailing track the Planefinder app shows on its map. - **In-flight monitoring** — poll periodically to build your own live tracking pipeline. - **Cross-check with live snapshots** — combine with the Planefinder Live Plane Scraper (bulk snapshot) to see both current position and recent trail. ### How to use Planefinder Live Flight Path Scraper 1. Get an aircraft's `dataSource` and `adshex` from the Planefinder Live Plane Scraper or Aircraft Info Scraper. 2. Open this Actor and click **Try for free**. 3. In the **Input** tab, provide one or more `{dataSource, adshex, callsign}` queries. 4. Click **Start** and wait for the run to finish. 5. Download results from the **Output** tab in JSON, CSV, or Excel format. ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `queries` | array of objects | Each needs `dataSource` (int) and `adshex` (string). `callsign` is optional. `timestamp` (unix ms) is optional and defaults to now. | ```json { "queries": [ { "dataSource": 80, "adshex": "3A3688", "callsign": "THT102" } ] } ```` ### Output Each item represents one track point, in chronological order (`seq` starting at 0). ```json { "lat": -15.991791, "lon": 169.630066, "posUpdateTime": 1785037581000, "altitude": 1950, "speed": 350, "heading": 140, "query_adshex": "3A3688", "query_data_source": 80, "query_callsign": "THT102", "seq": 0 } ``` ### Data table | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `query_adshex` / `query_data_source` / `query_callsign` | The identifiers you queried | | `seq` | Point index within this track, `0` = earliest available point | | `lat` / `lon` | Position in decimal degrees | | `posUpdateTime` | Unix timestamp in milliseconds for this point | | `altitude` | Altitude in feet, or `null` if not reported for this point | | `speed` | Ground speed in knots, or `null` if not reported | | `heading` | Compass heading in degrees, or `null` if not reported | ### Technical notes Planefinder's v5 live API encodes tracks as deltas from a shared reference point rather than sending full coordinates for every point (smaller payloads for a real-time feed). This Actor reverse-engineers and decodes that format; if Planefinder changes the wire format again, decoding may need to be updated — please report issues via the Issues tab. ### Pricing This Actor uses the **Pay Per Event** model: **a flat $0.30 per track fetched**, plus a negligible one-time actor-start fee — not per track point. You're asking for "this aircraft's recent track" as one thing, so you're billed as one thing, whether Planefinder returns a handful of points or several hundred. A query that returns no track isn't charged. (For comparison: a similarly-sized track from a competing live-tracking Actor billed per record would cost roughly $2 for ~400 points — a full track here is a flat $0.30.) ### FAQ and support This Actor uses Planefinder's public mobile API for informational purposes only. Do not use the data for commercial redistribution without verifying Planefinder's terms of service. For bugs or feature requests, open an issue on the Actor's Issues tab. Custom scraping solutions are available on request. # Actor input Schema ## `queries` (type: `array`): List of {dataSource, adshex, callsign, timestamp} to fetch a live track for. `callsign` and `timestamp` are optional — `timestamp` defaults to now (unix ms) if omitted. Get `dataSource`/`adshex`/`callsign` from the Planefinder Live Plane Scraper or Aircraft Info Scraper. Example: \[{"dataSource": 80, "adshex": "3A3688", "callsign": "THT102"}] ## Actor input object example ```json { "queries": [] } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("romy/planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("romy/planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call romy/planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=romy/planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Planefinder Live Flightpath Scraper", "description": "Planefinder Live Flight Path Scraper fetches the recent geographic track (latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, heading over time) of a currently-tracked aircraft from Planefinder's real-time protobuf API — the same feed the mobile app uses to draw a plane's live trail on the map.", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "1zYTisnLYXtOcWwzm" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/romy~planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-romy-planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/romy~planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-romy-planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/romy~planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-romy-planefinder-live-flightpath-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "queries" ], "properties": { "queries": { "title": "Aircraft Queries", "type": "array", "description": "List of {dataSource, adshex, callsign, timestamp} to fetch a live track for. `callsign` and `timestamp` are optional — `timestamp` defaults to now (unix ms) if omitted. Get `dataSource`/`adshex`/`callsign` from the Planefinder Live Plane Scraper or Aircraft Info Scraper. Example: [{\"dataSource\": 80, \"adshex\": \"3A3688\", \"callsign\": \"THT102\"}]", "default": [] } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```