Over the last few months, I've spotted an increase in "unknown registration" with Non-ICAO hex codes. Are they intentionally obfuscating their aircraft info? Are these government aircraft? I'm looking specifically at locations around Los Angeles. Many of these appear on the map as small aircraft, but are flying in a tight loop like helicopters. I'm new here, so I apologize if I'm using the terminology incorrectly.
It's just a generic icon ... most of them are police helicopters that likely have switched from ModeS to ModeC to no longer be on the adsbexchange map as police helicopters .. for whatever stupid reason.
that "stupid" reason, is criminals using the website or an app watching them, in effort to flee. no offense meant to you, just clarifying the reason why they would switch modes. This website and FR24 is becoming quite popular as is the scanner websites, that even with the delays in processing, they are figuring out how to watch them while quietly and smoothly moving around interpreting the movements even with the delays.
Well i think it's a stupid reason and people knowing which aircraft are overhead is important. But really all i wanted to comment on is that the delay is minimal on our page, for ADS-B less than 3 seconds most of the time and for MLAT i'd say less than 10 depending on reception.
and that's exactly why they mode flip. so people cannot see law enforcement aircraft that are tracking them for apprehension after they committed a crime or multiple crimes. And if they get proven to have been doing so, lands them another criminal charge known as: Possession of Tools During a Crime. if you get caught with a tool whether its mechanical or electronic that is aiding you in committing a crime or avoiding apprehension for the crime, you get slapped with that.
