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CAIBI suggestion · Displays

Quiet e-paper plane spotter

Show the nearest aircraft's route and type on an e-paper panel that refreshes every few minutes and gives off no light at night.

Not yet assessed Not built by CAIBI

A source to explore and a proposed direction to develop. This is not a full build assessment.

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Show the nearest aircraft's route and type on an e-paper panel that refreshes every few minutes and gives off no light at night.

CAIBI’s proposed addition: Combine the flight tracker's data route with an e-paper display. Check the data service's request limits before choosing a refresh rate.

Start with the original

Existing project

CAIBI suggestion developed from a source-reviewed catalogue project on 24 Sep 2026; untested Additional source inspected 10 October 2026: Wi-Fi data display, not an ADS-B radio receiver. Reconcile the advertised update interval with slow full-screen refresh; show last successful data time and check data-provider access.

See the original source for its photos and demonstrations. We have not copied imagery without confirmed reuse rights. A source prototype is not a photo of this proposed CAIBI build.

DATA ROUTES

Online services this idea would use

All data sources →
Used forServiceStatusAccess
Aircraft positionsUsed by default

The flight tracker's free sources, or your own receiver.

  • Community service
  • Community service
  • Your own hardware
  • No key · ODbL open licence
  • No key stated · non-commercial
  • Your own hardware · no account
Route lookupUsed by default
  • Community service
  • No key · no published terms

Alternatives the code does not use

  • OpenSky Network: OpenSky needs a free account and written permission for automated operational use.

CAIBI suggestion; routes checked 24 Sep 2026. Service terms change; check the provider before relying on one.

Prompts to move it forward

Copy a prompt into your AI tool with the source material and your actual parts. Work through one small step at a time and check the output before using it. Choose an AI tool or practise the skills first.

Check the source before buying
Review the source material I supply for Quiet e-paper plane spotter. Make a table of what is provided, missing, contradictory or dependent on a paid service. Identify exact hardware revisions, firmware files, library versions, CAD files and licences. Separate creator claims from your proposed additions. Do not fill gaps with guessed specifications. Finish with one small test that can resolve the biggest uncertainty before I buy parts.

Sources:
github.com: https://github.com/ColinWaddell/FlightTracker
github.com: https://github.com/lmarzen/esp32-weather-epd
Schematik PaperColor flight display: https://www.schematik.io/projects/build-me-flightscanner-live-ads-b-flight-radar-m-57ng
Plan the next step
I want to develop this idea: Quiet e-paper plane spotter. Intended outcome: Show the nearest aircraft's route and type on an e-paper panel that refreshes every few minutes and gives off no light at night. The source is https://github.com/ColinWaddell/FlightTracker. CAIBI suggests: Combine the flight tracker's data route with an e-paper display. Check the data service's request limits before choosing a refresh rate. First inspect the source I supply. Separate what it already does from proposed additions. Ask for my actual board, parts, skill level and missing files. Produce a small staged plan with one bench test per stage. Do not invent pin assignments, dimensions or completed test results.

Sources:
github.com: https://github.com/ColinWaddell/FlightTracker
github.com: https://github.com/lmarzen/esp32-weather-epd
Schematik PaperColor flight display: https://www.schematik.io/projects/build-me-flightscanner-live-ads-b-flight-radar-m-57ng
Design a measured enclosure
Help me design a practical enclosure for Quiet e-paper plane spotter. First ask for measured component dimensions, mounting holes, connectors, cable clearance, ventilation and operating conditions. Suggest a printable or off-the-shelf approach. Begin with a fit-test piece before a complete case. Label assumptions and do not invent an enclosure rating.

Sources:
github.com: https://github.com/ColinWaddell/FlightTracker
github.com: https://github.com/lmarzen/esp32-weather-epd
Schematik PaperColor flight display: https://www.schematik.io/projects/build-me-flightscanner-live-ads-b-flight-radar-m-57ng
Check and document the result
Create a test log for Quiet e-paper plane spotter. Intended outcome: Show the nearest aircraft's route and type on an e-paper panel that refreshes every few minutes and gives off no light at night. Separate expected behaviour from observed results. Include power restart, disconnected inputs, communication failure and the actual physical use. Ask me to provide results, firmware versions, changes, photos and unresolved problems. Never mark a test passed without my evidence.

Sources:
github.com: https://github.com/ColinWaddell/FlightTracker
github.com: https://github.com/lmarzen/esp32-weather-epd
Schematik PaperColor flight display: https://www.schematik.io/projects/build-me-flightscanner-live-ads-b-flight-radar-m-57ng
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