I second the comment about FlightAware.com. It doesn’t look like the FlyteComm radar graphic is dynamic, just a snapshot, unless you download their software. On FlightAware.com (and FBOweb.com) you can track flights with images that update once a minute, which I expect is the frequency of the update from the FAA feed, straight from the web site without downloading/buying software.

Even better, FlightAware.com is also integrated with GoogleEarth (free d/l), so you can watch the flight “live” via the GoogleEarth interface – it’s _very_ impressive-looking and adds a lot of ‘wow’ factor to a Tablet demo! I think the site said something about using GoogleEarth to zoom in to the airport, tilt the view so it’s more horizontal, and “watch” the plane land, but I haven’t tried to do that yet…

Sorry, forgot to mention:

1. I read your weblog and listen to your podcasts (and Marc Orchant’s) all the time. Great stuff. Very much appreciated.

2. I have an IBM X41 Tablet PC — some of my impressions of it here…http://www.wirelessmuse.com/winternet/2005/09/first_impressio.html — as well as using many wireless devices. (I’m a wireless data consultant.)

By any chance did you see the blog account of the Canadian VC who used the flight tracking program — plus a Motion Tablet PC and Verizon 1xEV-DO card — not only track his delayed flight, but also to get a first class upgrade?

By tracking his flight he determined he had plenty of time to grab a cab from the airport to pick up some food for himself — and for the harried gate attendant — and still make his fight.

The favor got him an upgrade.

Here’s a link to what I wrote…
http://www.wicweblog.com/2006/01/verizon_1xevdo_.html

Flightaware.com is another great site. I don’t think they have a PDA compatible portal, but for us laptop and tablet users it’s great. It’s a free site that allows you to check flight status, airport traffic patterns, etc. I’m able to enter a tail number, say from my brother’s plane, and if he’s filed a flight plan I’ll be able to see where he’s at, what time he left, what time he arrives/arrived, etc. I’m even able to see a graphic of his flight pattern. That’s actually pretty funny sometimes. He spends a lot of time screwing around up there.

My God! An app like this is back again? There used to be something like this on the net, but post-9/11, it was either pulled or greatly modified to be less of an info source for terrorists.