On Fri, 22 Jan 2016 21:45:39 -0500, Alex wrote:

wrote:
... my AIS transponder tracking system just picked up the flight of a
Search and Rescue Aircraft, presumably USCG, that originated in
Panama, flew over the Caribbean while side stepping Cuba and Hati, and
then proceeded on to fly over Florida which is where I picked it up.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tfu176efcugtfgm/Screenshot%202016-01-18%2023.24.30.png?dl=0&preview=Screenshot+2016-01-18+23.24.30.png

My first thought was that it might have been some sort of DEA patrol
but I'd have expected a different flight path for that, and probably
with the transponder turned off. We were once challenged on the radio
by a USCG/DEA helicopter while transiting from the Dominican Republic
to Puerto Rico. I was off watch sleeping at the time but apparently
my wife gave them the right answers and they left us alone.



I use that site to track my import shipments. Do you subscribe to get
aircraft?

===

No, the vast majoity of aircraft do not carry AIS transponders, only
USCG Search and Rescue planes as far as I know. It's quite rare for
one to show up on my tracking system.

Commercial aircraft have their own transponders and tracking network -
different frequencies, protocols, etc.

https://flightaware.com/live/