Block an End Number

[G100driver]

How do I get our end number blocked from flight tracking software? I have never done this before. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[Headwind]

Go to the NBAA web site. Members can be blocked thru NBAA.

HEADWIND

 

[2000flyer]

How do I get our end number blocked from flight tracking software? I have never done this before. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

G100,

Go to the NBAA ASDI website. Has all the info you need to get blocked. We did it several years ago. Painless process.

2000Flyer

 

[G100driver]

Thank-you

 

[gern_blanston]

The flight tracker still shows your plane, just not the N (end?) number. We spent some time with the Friendly Aviators Assocation and NBAA trying to get the plane removed altogether, but no luck.

 

[2000flyer]

The flight tracker still shows your plane, just not the N (end?) number. We spent some time with the Friendly Aviators Assocation and NBAA trying to get the plane removed altogether, but no luck.

Blocking the tail number is all you'll be able to do. Anyone with a flight tracking program can pull up an aircraft and see where it's going. For example, I know an operator who has a DA2000 at XYZ airport, I can check it at any time and if it's filed a flight plan and departed, the program would show me type, departure airport, destination and ETA.

Blocking isn't perfect but unless you fly the only type in the world, you'd be hard pressed to pinpoint an operator.

2000Flyer

 

[Lear60Guy]

why would you want to block it?

 

[h25b]

Why...

Well, if you fly for a large corporation one might be able to glean some inside information by figuring out the travel patterns of the executives. Ever see the movie Wall Street? Charlie Sheen's character figures out what company is being bought out this way.. (o.k. that was a corny example, but you get the point)

Wal-Mart would always have their tail numbers blocked which I didn't understand because it doesn't take a rocket scientist to track 20 Learjets all departing ROG at 0630 and figure out what's going on...

 

[FlyFlyFly]

I used to work for a large company in a special projects group and we tracked one of our competitors aircraft all the time. It was very useful intel.

 

[2000flyer]

Exactly what h25b said. If a company is selling a division, competitors can track tail numbers to and from the sale location and glean information on who may or may not be interested in the purchase. Definitely could give someone an advantage.

In addition, aircraft flown for private individuals, or execs for large companies who get personal access to the aircraft may not want any Joe Schmoe being able to follow them around on a flight tracker.

2000Flyer

 

[WMUSIGPI]

The Lear I fly has it's number blocked, not by choice. It was sold to us by Georgia Pacific, they blocked the number and we never bothered to unblock it.

 

[Dr Pokenhiemer]

I know a very popular musician who's tail number is blocked--keeps fans from showing up at the airport!

 

[westwind driver]

Humana Insurance blocks their tail #s. Smart thing to do if you ask me. The fortune 500 companies don't really care for their travel plans and business meetings to be general knowledge to the public, or competitors for that matter.

Like h25b said, sometimes it's best not to have certain transactions found out about betweem companies (such as mergers or buyouts) because it can hurt stock value of both companies (or greatly inflate it) cause insider trading or unnecessary public unease.

On some of our charters, the customer asks if the tail number can be blocked. We are not yet setup with our tail #s blocked, but we do have a ICAO 3-letter and callsign that cannot be tracked. Not even the aircraft type, point of departure or destination show up. We are a phantom when we fly using the 3-letter.

And yes, using the 3-letter is legal. It is not assigned by the FAA or ICAO, but due to the fact neither the 3-letter or radio telephony is assigned to any company, we can legally use it within FAA US Airspace.

We are however in the process of obtaining approval for 3 different 3-letters and associated callsigns.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

And yes, using the 3-letter is legal. It is not assigned by the FAA or ICAO, but due to the fact neither the 3-letter or radio telephony is assigned to any company, we can legally use it within FAA US Airspace.

Interesting....so anyone can take an unused combination of 3 letters, attach it to an unused telephony and use it? I did not know this.