CARLSBAD–Residents of San Diego County can now monitor flight activity around McClellan-Palomar Airport using Lochard WebTrak. The Internet-based service application allows anyone with a computer and Internet service to follow airport arrivals and departures, as well as the flight path, altitude and even noise levels of planes traversing McClellan-Palomar airspace. In many cases the aircraft type and identification (N number) are also shown. The information display also shows current weather conditions at the airport.
“We pride ourselves on being responsive to the needs of pilots, airport service providers, and the airport community at large,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Bill Horn. Providing accurate flight data will give pilots, residents, the FAA, and the Department of Public Works the opportunity to work together as never before to improve airport operations and better community relations.”
Jim Swain, the airport’s environmental sound manager, said the service would add value to the airport’s community outreach program by increasing the accuracy of data collection.
“It gives us the opportunity for direct community engagement by making airport environmental information more accessible and transparent,” Swain said.
The system is easy to use. Just click on the Palomar Airport WebTrak link, agree to service, and start tracking airplanes around Carlsbad. Zoom controls and other preferences are very similar to Google Maps. Settings allow for current flight activity or a flight history that can also be speeded up. Additional instructions are posted on the County Airports website at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dpw/airports/palomar.html
WebTrak is already in use at other Southern California airports such as LAX, Long Beach, Van Nuys, and Ontario.
