AxisNimble/TheFlightWall_OSS: TheFlightWall is an LED display that shows live flight information of planes in your area.

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TheFlightWall is an LED wall that shows live information about incoming flights from your window.

This is the open source version with some basic guides to the panels, mounting them together, data services and code. Watch our viral build video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLIbAtbJxPl

Don’t feel like building one? Check out the official product: theflightwall.com

main image
Airline logo lookup will be added soon!

  • main components
    • 20x 16×16 led panel
    • ESP32 dev board (we used R32 D1 but any ESP dev board should work)
    • 3D printed bracket (or mdf/cardboard)
    • 2x 6 ft wooden trim pieces (for support)
  • Power
  • data

With 20 Panels (10×2) – ~63 inches x ~12.6 inches

These are the LED panels we used, but any similar LED matrix should work.

We designed 3D printable brackets to attach the panels together, this is one way, but you can also use mdf board or cardboard (like we did originally haha)

Then two 63 inch horizontal supports for added strength. We purchased wood floor trim and cut it to size.

LED panel wiring and bracket

Obviously this is just one way to put them together, but we’re sure there are better ways!

Here is a wiring diagram for how to connect the entire system together.

wiring diagram

The entire panel is controlled by a single data line – simple electronics in exchange for very low refresh rates, don’t expect any 60 fps gaming on this panel!

Data from this project include two main data sources:

  1. Main public ADS-B data for flight conditions and callsigns – using OpenSky
  2. Flight information lookup – aircraft, airline and route (origin/destination airport). This is usually the hardest/most expensive information to find. Using FlightAware AeroAPI
  1. Register for an OpenSky account
  2. Go to your account page
  3. Create a new API client and copy client_id And client_secret In APIConfiguration.h file
  1. Visit the FlightAware AeroAPI page and create a personal account
  2. From the dashboard, open API KeyClick create api key and follow the steps
  3. Copy the generated key and add it to APIConfiguration.h

Enter your WiFi credentials in this WIFI_SSID And WIFI_PASSWORD in wifi configuration.h

Set your location to track flights by updating the following values ​​in UserConfiguration.h:

  • CENTER_LAT: Latitude of the center point to track (for example, your home or city)
  • CENTER_LON: longitude of center point
  • RADIUS_KM: Find the radius in kilometers to include flights

Build and Flash with PlatformIO

Firmware can be created and uploaded to the ESP32 using PlatformIO

  1. Install PlatformIO,

  2. Configure your settings,

  3. Create and Upload,

    • open firmware folder in platformio
    • Connect your ESP32 via USB
    • Click the “Upload” button (→) in the PlatformIO toolbar
  • Glow: Controls overall display brightness (0-255)
  • text color: RGB values ​​used for all text/borders

We may add more customization options in the future, but of course since it’s open source the whole thing is customizable to your liking.

We really appreciate everyone’s support on this project!

If you don’t want to build it but still love it, check out our official displays: https://theflightwall.com

Excited to see your creation 🙂 Tag @theflightwall on IG





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