# MatrixPortal S3 Flight Proximity Tracker ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/126/128/medium800thumb/leds_ezgif.com-resize-5.jpg?1700457771) Warning: The Flight Proximity Tracker is a project that keeps you in the know about the nearby aerial traffic. This project displays real-time data of nearby aircraft using scrolling text, along with airline icons just like a departure board in an airport! This project uses the **Matrix Portal S3** with CircuitPython. The Matrix Portal S3 fetches and process data from the [FlightAware's AeroAPI](https://www.flightaware.com/commercial/aeroapi/). Then the processed data will be displayed on two connected 64x64 LED matrix displays. The display will not only indicate the flight identifier but also provide its origin along with the flight destination and, if you choose, altitude, speed, and other pertinent flight data.  ## Parts ### Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display [Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5778) Folks love our [wide selection of RGB matrices](https://www.adafruit.com/category/327) and accessories for making custom colorful LED displays... and our RGB Matrix Shields and FeatherWings can be quickly soldered together to make the wiring much easier. But what if we made it... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5778) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5778/guides) ![Video of Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 linked up to a matrix displaying the "Adafruit Matrix Portal" in white letters and red, green and blue circles jumping around. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5778-06.jpg) ### Black Woven USB A to USB C Cable with 66W Watt Display - 1 meter [Black Woven USB A to USB C Cable with 66W Watt Display - 1 meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5788) Everyone has that "good charger" in the house, the one that seems to get your phone from 4% to 100% in record time. But it's a bit of a mystery isn't it? Why does one charger work great while another doesn't seem to budge at all. It has to do with whether that charger... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5788) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5788/guides) ![Angled shot of coiled black woven USB A to USB C cable.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5788-02.jpg) ### Part: 64x64 RGB LED Matrix - 2.5mm Pitch quantity: 2 Two Panels are not required but will be used for the demonstration of this project [64x64 RGB LED Matrix - 2.5mm Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3649) ### 64x64 RGB LED Matrix - 2.5mm Pitch [64x64 RGB LED Matrix - 2.5mm Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3649) Winter time can be rough in the city. The sky is gray. The weather is unpredictable. So slough off those seasonal blues with some Times Square razzle dazzle from this sweet, ultra-high-density **64x64 RGB LED Matrix**. These panels are typically used to make video... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3649) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3649/guides) ![Video of two hands flipping over a powered on 64x64 RGB LED Matrix. The matrix display has a falling colored sand effect. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/3649-06.jpg) ### Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1" [Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749)  nice whoppin' rectangular slab of some lovely black acrylic to add some extra diffusion to your LED Matrix project. This material is 2.6mm (0.1") thick and is made of special cast acrylic that makes it perfect for glowy projects, especially matrices or NeoPixels. Unlike... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4749/guides) ![LED RGB matrix 10.2" x 5.1" with "Adafruit Industries LED Matrix" text showing, and LED acrylic slowly covering to make it nicely diffused](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4749-02.jpg) ### Clear Adhesive Squares - 6 pack [Clear Adhesive Squares - 6 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4813) **UGlu Dashes**  are perfect for a variety of small projects. These adhesive squares provide a stronger bond to most surfaces and are cleaner and easier to remove without the wait, mess, or hassle. Adheres to a wide variety of surfaces, including, but not limited... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4813) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4813/guides) ![ 6 pack of Clear Adhesive Squares](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4813-01.jpg) ### Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4) [Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631) Got a glorious RGB Matrix project you want to mount and display in your workspace or home? If you have one of the matrix panels listed below, you'll need a pack of these **Mini-Magnet Feet.**  We got these specifically for our RGB LED Matrices, which no longer... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4631/guides) ![Angled shot of four magnet feet.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4631-00.jpg) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrixportal-s3-flight-proximity-tracker/choosing-apis.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display [Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5778) Folks love our [wide selection of RGB matrices](https://www.adafruit.com/category/327) and accessories for making custom colorful LED displays... and our RGB Matrix Shields and FeatherWings can be quickly soldered together to make the wiring much easier. But what if we made it... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5778) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5778/guides) ### Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long [Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153) This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more.  [If you want something just like it but for Micro B, we...](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111) Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5153/guides) ### 64x64 RGB LED Matrix - 2.5mm Pitch [64x64 RGB LED Matrix - 2.5mm Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3649) Winter time can be rough in the city. The sky is gray. The weather is unpredictable. So slough off those seasonal blues with some Times Square razzle dazzle from this sweet, ultra-high-density **64x64 RGB LED Matrix**. These panels are typically used to make video... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3649) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3649/guides) ### Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1" [Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749)  nice whoppin' rectangular slab of some lovely black acrylic to add some extra diffusion to your LED Matrix project. This material is 2.6mm (0.1") thick and is made of special cast acrylic that makes it perfect for glowy projects, especially matrices or NeoPixels. Unlike... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4749/guides) ### Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4) [Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631) Got a glorious RGB Matrix project you want to mount and display in your workspace or home? If you have one of the matrix panels listed below, you'll need a pack of these **Mini-Magnet Feet.**  We got these specifically for our RGB LED Matrices, which no longer... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4631/guides) ### Clear Adhesive Squares - 6 pack [Clear Adhesive Squares - 6 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4813) **UGlu Dashes**  are perfect for a variety of small projects. These adhesive squares provide a stronger bond to most surfaces and are cleaner and easier to remove without the wait, mess, or hassle. Adheres to a wide variety of surfaces, including, but not limited... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4813) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4813/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit MatrixPortal S3](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-matrixportal-s3.md) - [Blurry Analog Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/blurry-analog-clock.md) - [itsaSNAP Apple Health Status Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/itssnap-apple-fitness-status-board.md) - [Matrix Portal Stained Glass with WLED](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-portal-stained-glass-with-wled.md) - [itsaSNAP Daily Weather Forecast Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/itsasnap-daily-weather-forecast-board.md) - [LED Matrix FIFA World Cup Scoreboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-matrix-fifa-world-cup-scoreboard.md) - [Animated GIF Player for Matrix Portal](https://learn.adafruit.com/animated-gif-player-for-matrix-portal.md) - [Scroll an SMS Text Message on your RGB Matrix](https://learn.adafruit.com/scroll-an-sms-text-message-on-your-rgb-matrix.md) - [RGB Matrix New York Times Title Scroller](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-matix-nyt-text-scroller.md) - [LED Matrix Sports Scoreboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-matrix-sports-scoreboard.md) - [MatrixPortal CircuitPython Animated Message Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrixportal-circuitpython-animated-message-board.md) - [Introducing Feather RP2040 SCORPIO](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-feather-rp2040-scorpio.md) - [The Scream: Interactive Screaming Painting](https://learn.adafruit.com/the-scream-munch-screaming-interactive-scream-painting.md) - [Building CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/building-circuitpython.md) - [Quickstart - Raspberry Pi RP2040 with BLE and CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-raspberry-pi-rp2040-with-ble-and-circuitpython.md)