AVIATION GPSPrivacy Policy
Aviation GPS ("we", "our" or "the app") is an aviation navigation app for iPhone and Android phones. This Privacy Policy explains what information the app uses, how it is used and how it is protected. It applies to both the iOS and the Android version of the app.
Information the app uses
Location
- GPS position: used for real-time navigation: bearing, distance, track, groundspeed, ETE/ETA, airspace alerts and glidepath guidance. These calculations run on your phone.
- Background location: the app can keep receiving location updates while it is in the background or the screen is locked, so navigation and the optional track recorder keep working during a flight.
- Location is never used for any purpose other than the features described in this policy.
Motion and sensor data
- Compass: used to show heading.
- Barometer and motion sensors: where available, used to improve altitude and vertical-speed accuracy. This data is processed on the phone and is not stored or transmitted. On iPhone this uses the Motion & Fitness permission.
Local network data (X-Plane)
- The app can receive simulated position and traffic data that the X-Plane flight simulator broadcasts on your local Wi-Fi network, for practising without a real GPS signal.
- The app only listens for this data. It does not send anything onto your local network.
- This is used only when you select X-Plane as the GPS source in Settings.
Device information
- System time and time zone are used for ETA, UTC and local-time calculations.
- No device identifiers, advertising IDs or contact details are collected.
Online services the app contacts
Most of the app works fully offline. The features below need an internet connection. Each one sends a standard web request directly from your phone to the named public service. No name, account or device identifier is included. As with any internet request, the service also receives your phone's IP address.
| Feature | Service | What is sent | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map wind indicator (surface wind) | aviationweather.gov (U.S. National Weather Service / NOAA) | An area around your position | Automatically while the app has a position and a connection. It repeats only after you have moved a meaningful distance or some time has passed. |
| Winds aloft (map wind indicator above 1,000 ft, and the SIM page's WIND option) | Open-Meteo (open-meteo.com) | Your current position (latitude and longitude) | Automatically while the app has a position and a connection. It repeats only after you have moved a meaningful distance or some time has passed. |
| Airport weather (METAR/TAF) | aviationweather.gov | The airport's identifier, or an area around that airport if it has no report of its own | When you view an airport's information page |
| Traffic display (optional, off by default) | OpenSky Network (opensky-network.org) | An area around your position, plus your OpenSky login if you choose to add one | Only while Traffic is switched on with the phone's GPS as the source |
| Map data updates | GitHub (data files from OurAirports and the app's public map-data repository) | No location data | Only when you tap "Check for updates" in Settings |
These services are run by independent third parties under their own privacy policies. We do not receive, store or have access to any data sent to them.
OpenSky account (optional): if you enter OpenSky API credentials to raise the traffic request limit, they are stored only in your phone's secure storage (the iOS Keychain or Android's equivalent). They are sent only to OpenSky, to sign in for traffic requests.
Data stored on your phone
The following is stored only on your phone. The app never uploads it to us or to any cloud service:
- App settings and preferences
- The active flight plan and any flight plans you save
- User waypoints you create
- Track logs: if you use the track recorder, your flight path (position, altitude, speed and time) is saved as files on your phone until you delete them
- Breadcrumb trail: the recent flight path shown on the map, which you can clear in Settings
- Downloaded map-data updates and cached weather reports
Track logs, the breadcrumb trail and saved flight plans leave your phone only if you share or export them, for example with the share menu, AirDrop, Nearby Share or email. They may also be included in your phone's own backups (iCloud or Google), depending on your settings.
Aviation database
The app includes a built-in database of airports, navaids, runways, radio frequencies and airspace, plus base-map data. It contains no personal information. Sources:
- OurAirports.com: airports, runways, frequencies, navaids
- OpenAIP: airspace boundaries
- Natural Earth: coastlines, rivers, roads and cities
- NOAA / BGS World Magnetic Model: magnetic variation, calculated on the phone
The database is updated with app updates and, if you choose, with the in-app map-data update.
Data sharing
- We do not sell, trade, rent or share your personal information.
- We do not use analytics, tracking, advertising or crash-reporting services that collect personal data. We do not use Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics, the Facebook SDK or similar.
- We do not integrate with social media platforms.
- Apart from the online requests described above, which go directly from your phone to the named services, no location data leaves your phone.
Permissions
Location
- Purpose: required for all navigation functions, including background use during flight and track recording.
- iPhone: choose "While Using the App" or "Always" in Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services › Aviation GPS.
- Android: choose "Allow only while using the app" or "Allow all the time" in Settings › Apps › Aviation GPS › Permissions › Location. Precise location is needed for navigation accuracy.
- Limiting or denying location access restricts background navigation or stops the app from working fully.
Motion & Fitness (iPhone)
- Purpose: barometric altitude and motion sensors, for better altitude and vertical speed. If you decline, the app uses GPS altitude only.
Local network
- Purpose: receiving data from the X-Plane flight simulator when that GPS source is selected.
- iPhone: you may be asked for Local Network access. You can decline it if you don't use X-Plane; nothing else is affected.
- Android: no separate permission is needed to receive this local data.
Internet
- Used only for the online services listed above.
No other permissions
- We do not request access to your contacts, photos, camera, microphone or calendar. The app does not need an account or any personal information.
Data security
- Navigation calculations run on your phone.
- All online requests use encrypted HTTPS connections. The X-Plane data is the exception: it stays on your local network.
- Downloaded map-data files are checked before they replace existing data.
- OpenSky credentials, if you add them, are kept in the phone's secure credential storage.
Children's privacy
The app is designed for aviation use and is not directed at children. It does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your country). If you believe a child has given us personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
International users
The app works worldwide, and location processing happens on your phone wherever you are. The online services described above may be located in other countries, including the United States and the European Union. When you use them, your requests are processed there.
Your rights and controls
- Location: change or revoke access at any time in your phone's settings (see Permissions).
- Online requests: traffic and map-data updates only run when you use them. The weather and wind requests run automatically whenever the phone is online. To stop all online requests, turn off mobile data or Wi-Fi for the app, or use airplane mode. Navigation keeps working offline.
- Track logs and flight plans: delete them in the app, or remove all app data by uninstalling.
- Settings: reset to defaults in the app (SET › Defaults).
- Clear app data (Android): Settings › Apps › Aviation GPS › Storage › Clear storage.
We don't hold any personal data on our side, so there is nothing for us to export or delete on request. You are still welcome to contact us with any privacy question. Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR or the CCPA), you may have legal rights over personal data, and we will respond to any request in line with those laws.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time, for example when features are added. The "Last updated" date above will change, and significant changes will be mentioned in the App Store and Google Play release notes.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or the app's data practices, contact the developer: Marian Fujara — marian.fujara@gmail.com.
Compliance
This policy is intended to meet the Apple App Store Review Guidelines and the Google Play Developer Program Policies, including the User Data and Location Permissions policies. It also follows general privacy good practice for location-based apps.