![Airtrail RealTime Analytics Image](https://res.cloudinary.com/dojdzamvk/image/upload/v1761722360/2Eu8LJE_ayvkvm.png "Deploying Airtrail on Railway platform)

Deploy and Host Managed AirTrail Service with one click on Railway

AirTrail is a modern, open-source personal flight tracking system available on GitHub. It allows aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and frequent travelers to record, visualize, and analyze their flight journeys in real-time. Unlike conventional flight tracking platforms that only provide limited access or are restricted to commercial airlines, AirTrail empowers users to own and control their flight data - making it ideal for private pilots, hobbyists, or anyone interested in personal aviation analytics.

About Hosting AirTrail on Railway (Self Hosting AirTrail on Railway)

Hosting AirTrail on Railway ensures that all your flight data, maps, and configurations remain entirely in your control. You don’t rely on third-party services or commercial APIs that could limit access to your historical flight data. By self-hosting AirTrail, you get privacy-first flight analytics and the ability to scale your system as your data grows.

Why Deploy Managed AirTrail Service on Railway

Deploying a managed AirTrail service on Railway gives you the best of both worlds - data ownership and zero server maintenance. You can focus on tracking, analytics, and exploration, while Railway automates performance optimization, backups, and scaling.

You get:

• Instant setup (no manual server configuration)

• Automatic scaling for traffic spikes

• Simplified management dashboard

• Secure storage and database integration

Railway vs DigitalOcean:

While DigitalOcean requires manual setup and server maintenance, Railway offers a one-click AirTrail deploy option. You don’t have to manage backups, runtime configurations, or security patches - Railway automates it all.

Railway vs AWS Lightsail:

AWS Lightsail involves managing network layers, ports, and scaling parameters. Railway abstracts all these complexities, letting you deploy AirTrail in seconds with built-in scalability.

Railway vs Hetzner:

Hetzner offers raw performance but expects full user management. Railway gives you similar performance but with hands-off simplicity, perfect for deploying AirTrail securely and quickly.

Common Use Cases of AirTrail

1. Personal Flight Logging: Keep a record of every flight you take-date, duration, route, altitude, and performance details.

2. Pilot Training Analytics: Students and instructors can review flight data to identify improvement areas and visualize maneuvers.

3. Aviation Enthusiast Tracking: Track and share flight paths for hobbyist drones or paragliders.

4. Fleet Management for Small Operators: Small aviation groups can track multiple aircraft efficiently.

Dependencies for AirTrail hosted on Railway

To host AirTrail, you’ll need:

• A database (PostgreSQL or SQLite recommended)

• A Node.js runtime (for backend services)

• A lightweight frontend (React or Vue-based interface)

• API keys for maps (like OpenStreetMap or Mapbox)

Deployment Dependencies for Managed AirTrail Service

A managed AirTrail deployment on Railway includes everything pre-configured:

• Database connections

• Secure storage for logs and maps

• Automated SSL certificates

• Continuous uptime monitoring

Implementation Details for AirTrail (Personal Flight Tracker)

To deploy AirTrail, set the following environment variables on Railway:

• DATABASE_URL – Connection string for your PostgreSQL or SQLite instance

• MAP_API_KEY – For map rendering services

• ADMIN_EMAIL – To manage dashboard access

• AIRTRAIL_MODE – Choose between public or private tracking modes

How does AirTrail compare to other flight tracking systems?

AirTrail vs FlightAware

FlightAware focuses on commercial airline tracking and requires API fees for personal integrations. AirTrail is free, open-source, and self-hosted, giving users total control over their data.

AirTrail vs OpenSky Network

OpenSky is great for real-time ADS-B data collection but lacks personal analytics and visualization dashboards. AirTrail provides both - data logging + visualization.

AirTrail vs FlightRadar24

FlightRadar24 is limited to real-time tracking only. AirTrail allows personal flight history logging, map visualization, and performance analysis in one place.

AirTrail vs ADS-B Exchange

ADS-B Exchange is community-driven and focuses on live global feeds. AirTrail focuses on you - your data, your dashboard, your privacy.

AirTrail vs AirplaneLog.io

AirplaneLog.io is a great logging tool but not open-source. AirTrail offers free customization, open APIs, and hosting control through platforms like Railway.

How to use AirTrail?

1. Deploy on Railway: Click the Deploy Now button and link your GitHub account.

2. Set Environment Variables: Add your database connection string and map API key.

3. Access Dashboard: Railway provides a live URL for your AirTrail instance.

4. Log Flights: Add your first flight, upload your GPS log, and watch it visualize beautifully.

5. Explore Data: Filter flights, view analytics, and export data when needed.

How to self host AirTrail on other VPS?

Clone the Repository

Download from GitHub: https://github.com/airtrail/airtrail.git

Install Dependencies

Ensure your VPS has Node.js, PostgreSQL, and a web server like Nginx installed.

Configure Environment Variables

Set up the following:

DATABASE_URL=postgres://user:password@host:port/dbname
MAP_API_KEY=your-map-api-key
[email protected]
AIRTRAIL_MODE=public

Start the AirTrail Application

Run:

npm install
npm run start

Then open your VPS public IP in a browser to view your personal flight tracker.

Access the Dashboard

Log in, add flights, and start exploring your personalized flight data. On Railway, all this happens automatically - with one click.

Deploy Now!

Features of AirTrail

• Open Source: Fully transparent codebase on GitHub.

• Map-based Visualization: View flight routes and logs interactively on global maps.

• Detailed Analytics: Analyze flight durations, altitudes, and routes.

• Privacy-first: No third-party tracking or hidden data sharing.

• Offline Sync: Log flights even without an internet connection.

• Pilot Notes: Add notes or tags to each flight entry.

• Custom Dashboard: Personalize analytics with charts and graphs.

• Lightweight Architecture: Optimized for both desktop and mobile devices.

Official Pricing of AirTrail Cloud Service

AirTrail is completely free as an open-source project. You only pay for hosting, like Railway’s base plan starting at $5/month, which covers small-scale deployments easily.

For enterprise use or aviation academies, AirTrail offers optional paid support, feature extensions, and cloud maintenance plans.

[Updated Oct’25]

Self Hosting AirTrail vs Paid Flight Trackers

Self-hosting AirTrail is free and gives you complete control over your flight data. You avoid subscription fees that many commercial trackers charge. Paid services offer managed hosting and customer support, but limit customization.

Monthly cost of Self hosting AirTrail on Railway

Self hosting AirTrail on Railway typically costs $5–$10/month for the base app instance, with additional costs for databases or extra storage depending on usage. Still, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to manage personal flight analytics.

System Requirements for Hosting AirTrail

• RAM: Minimum 512MB (1GB recommended)

• CPU: 1 Core

• Database: PostgreSQL or SQLite

• Runtime: Node.js 18+

FAQs

What is AirTrail?

AirTrail is a modern, open-source personal flight tracking system that helps users log, visualize, and analyze their flights.

How do I self host AirTrail?

You can self-host AirTrail on Railway or any VPS by deploying the GitHub repo, connecting a database, and setting environment variables.

What are the key features of AirTrail?

AirTrail offers map visualization, analytics, offline logging, data export, and full control over your flight logs.

How do I deploy AirTrail on Railway?

Click the Deploy Now button, connect your GitHub account, and Railway will handle the entire deployment automatically.

What dependencies are required for hosting AirTrail?

A Node.js runtime, PostgreSQL database, and map API key are required to run AirTrail.

What are common use cases for AirTrail?

It’s used for personal flight logging, pilot training analytics, drone path tracking, and fleet management.

How does Railway simplify AirTrail hosting?

Railway automates scaling, security, backups, and updates - making deployment and maintenance effortless.

Is AirTrail free to use?

Yes! AirTrail is 100% open-source and free to use. You only pay for hosting (like Railway’s affordable cloud plans).

How much does it cost to self host AirTrail on Railway?

Usually between $5–$10 per month, depending on database and storage requirements.