Map Data
This endpoint returns data in GeoJSON format (see https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7946) which is supported by most common mobile and web map controls, and is ideal for anyone wanting to work directly with the data available on our maps. However, if you just want an embeddable version of our map, take a look at our Embeddable Map.
Introduction
Aeronautical data is often complex and isn't comprised of a single source. However, with this service, you simply specify the region you're interested in, and Altitude Angel will return:
- Aeronautical data pertinent to the operation of a drone. (Airspace classifications with a floor above 500 ft / 152 m have the "Upper Airspace" filter applied for easy identification);
- Ground Hazards data from over 70 categories, such as power pylons, land-zone use data such as schools, critical infrastructure and much more;
- NOTAMs (Temporary Flight Restrictions and Navigation Warnings).
As this data is normalised into GeoJSON, it can often be directly (or very easily) incorporated into your favourite mapping product.
Purpose
This API call essentially combines multiple input data sources into a single output call, to minimise complex processing often associated with computing a detailed air-situation or "total" (comprising land-based and aerial hazards) hazard picture.
For example, for queries describing areas within the United Kingdom, we automatically include parsed NOTAMs (TFRs & Navigation Warnings) within the response, with indications as to whether or not they are active and when they will become active or inactive.
Keep it fresh!
One of our core principles is to always ensure that the data we give you is as up-to-date as it possibly can be. This means that aeronautical data is updated in accordance with the international AIRAC cycle (on a 28-day period), and with a direct connection into the international NOTAM system, NOTAMs appear within seconds of being published by the relevant authority if they match our criteria for inclusion.
Detail Levels
Shapes with complex borders may be simplified when the requested region is over 100,000 square meters, to keep payload sizes reasonable. Currently this only affects some national parks in the US.
Any shapes affected by this will have "pointCulled" specified as "true" and may have had points removed. Typically this won't affect map display because the fidelity will increase as the requested region is reduced. To receive data without culling, for an affected shape, request an area below 100,000 square meters.
Anti-cache warning
We recommend against caching calls to/from this service for more than a minute or two at a time, since much of it is derived from real-time sources, such as nearby drone flights and/or information entered into the NOTAM system. From a safety perspective, it is better to work with the latest data.
A note about geometries
This endpoint will return results in GeoJSON format to facilitate the inclusion of this data in mapping products, and the manipulation of this data by a number of off-the-shelf frameworks.
Ensure that code interpreting the response from Altitude Angel can properly handle:
- Point
- MultiPoint
- LineString
- MultiLineString
- Polygon
- MultiPolygon
- GeometryCollection
Circles
GeoJSON doesn't specify a circle geometry; instead, it approximates a circle using a multi-point polygon. We have found that many of our users would prefer a simple "point + radius" element, so by default, this endpoint will return an additional radius property (specified in metres) on a point geometry where the point is the centre of a circle. Don't forget to add support for processing these as you don't want to miss certain elements.
You can toggle this behaviour 'off' though (and revert to using Polygon approximations of a circle) by specifying isCompact=false as a querystring parameter in your request. Simple!
Request map data for an area
Call this endpoint to request aerial and ground hazard information about a particular area. Many of our users will, for example, implement calls to this service whenever a user scrolls around a map. Because the return type is GeoJSON, it's very easy to incorporate this data into visual user interfaces.
Limits
The airspace data and ground hazard data apply different limits and will not return data if you specify an area that is above these limits. It is always important to check the response from us to verify whether you are not seeing data because there actually isn't any, or (more likely) you're not seeing data because the area you requested was too large, and would have resulted in a very large response.
| Data type | Max. Requestable Area (sq. M) |
|---|---|
| Ground hazards | 20,000,000 (~4.5 km by ~4.5 km) |
| Airspace | 10,000,000,000 (100 km x 100 km) |
Our endpoints are not designed to display "world" data. For example, if you are displaying this data on a map control, you must be zoomed in to approximately 'city' level in order to see Airspace and Ground Hazards.
Request Details
This endpoint will return data for the area specified by a bounding box, subject to maximum queryable area limits as defined above.
| Querystring parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| n | The north coordinate of the bounding box in degrees |
| e | The east coordinate of the bounding box in degrees |
| s | The south coordinate of the bounding box in degrees |
| w | The west coordinate of the bounding box in degrees |
| iconformat (optional) | Preferred format for icons.Supported formats: svg or png. Default format: png |
Sample Request
GET https://api.altitudeangel.com/v2/mapdata/geojson?n=51.46227963315035&e=-0.9569686575500782&s=51.450125805383585&w=-0.9857433958618458 HTTP/1.1
Authorization: X-AA-ApiKey YOUR_API_KEY
Sample Request with optional parameter
GET https://api.altitudeangel.com/v2/mapdata/geojson?n=51.46227963315035&e=-0.9569686575500782&s=51.450125805383585&w=-0.9857433958618458&iconformat=svg HTTP/1.1
Authorization: X-AA-ApiKey YOUR_API_KEY
Response Details
The response conforms to the GeoJSON specification and provides a feature collection
containing the airspace and ground hazards requested. There are several extended fields in our GeoJSON responses to describe
the returned features.
Displaying the response data
We have optimised the geoJson endpoint to return data ready for display on a graphical user interface. For this reason, we recommend you bind your user interface to the
displayproperty which will contain multiple sections describing the item.The endpoint also returns additional properties for those who wish to work directly with the raw data, however additional properties vary according to the type of item returned.
Top Level Properties
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| isCompleteData | boolean | True indicates the data returned is as requested. False indicates the data is partial, likely caused by a limit restriction |
| excludedData | object | Details any omissions from the returned data or errors |
Excluded Data
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| message | string | A human readable message documenting the reason for the exclusion |
| detail | object | Further details on the exclusion |
| errorReason | string token | A standardized token that can be programatically checked |
Reason Tokens
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| QueryAreaTooLarge | The area specified in the query was too large for a particular dataset to be returned. Limits are specified above, in the 'Limits' section. |
Custom Feature Properties
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fillColor | string color | Recommended color for the shape fill |
| fillOpacity | string float | Recommended fill opacity value from 0.0 to 1.0 |
| strokeColor | string color | Recommended color for the shape fill |
| strokeWidth | string int | Recommended pixel stroke width for the shape |
| strokeOpacity | string float | Recommended stroke opacity value from 0.0 to 1.0 |
| detailedCategory | string | A hierarchical ':' separated category for the feature |
| iconUrl | string url | Recommended icon for the feature |
| name | string | The name of the feature |
| category | string token | The type of feature this represents |
| operationalFrom | string datetime | The time the airspace is operational from |
| operationalTo | string datetime | The time the airspace is operational to |
| airac | object | AIRAC cycle information for when this feature was updated |
| filters | object | Recommended filters that apply to this feature for optional UI display of data |
| display | object | Recommends UI display information regarding this feature |
| actions | object | Recommended actions for UI interaction for this feature |
| designator | string | The Designator for a piece of airspace – note that this property will not be present for all airspace items |
| airspaceClass | string | The class of the airspace – note that this property will not be present for all airspace items |
FAA Facility Map data
FAA Facility Map data is available under the detailedCategory
other:altitude_restriction:faa:facility. These items carry additional propertiesairspaceClassandairportICAOCode.
AIRAC Cycle Information
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| from | string date | Start of AIRAC cycle of publication for the feature |
| to | string date | Date of AIRAC cycle of publication for the feature |
Feature Category Tokens
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| groundHazard | A ground hazard |
| airspace | A region of airspace |
Sample Response
{
"isCompleteData": true,
"excludedData": [],
"features": [
{
"geometry": {
"coordinates": [
-0.11097720000495453,
51.5047321750082
],
"type": "Point"
},
"id": "C50B5212F931BE3D6B73B9DF98DFE3A6FAB6D2D6",
"properties": {
"fillColor": "#ffbb00",
"fillOpacity": "0.35",
"strokeColor": "#b88702",
"strokeWidth": "1",
"strokeOpacity": "0.8",
"detailedCategory": "amenity:kindergarten",
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=amenity_kindergarten.png",
"name": "St Patrick's Montessori Nursery School",
"category": "groundHazard",
"filters": [
{
"name": "Ground Hazards",
"property": "show",
"active": true
}
],
"display": {
"category": "Ground Hazard",
"detailedCategory": "amenity kindergarten",
"title": "St Patrick's Montessori Nursery School",
"sections": [
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=amenity_kindergarten.png",
"title": "Privacy Concerns",
"text": "This classification of area or point is likely to be additionally sensitive to privacy concerns. You may have greater obligations to disclose your intended flight over, within or near these areas to any controlling authority or land owner, particularly if you plan to fly with surveillance equipment."
}
],
"actions": []
}
},
"type": "Feature"
},
{
"geometry": {
"coordinates": [
[
[-0.0999417,51.4964196],[-0.1011906,51.4967419],[-0.1012621,51.496637],[-0.1016399,51.4963695]
]
],
"type": "Polygon"
},
"id": "964E61DF803B3EAD2AE0CCEEC7B6D7918AED3896",
"properties": {
"fillColor": "#ffbb00",
"fillOpacity": "0.35",
"strokeColor": "#b88702",
"strokeWidth": "1",
"strokeOpacity": "0.8",
"detailedCategory": "amenity:university",
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=amenity_university.png",
"name": "London South Bank University",
"category": "groundHazard",
"filters": [
{
"name": "Ground Hazards",
"property": "show",
"active": true
}
],
"display": {
"category": "Ground Hazard",
"detailedCategory": "amenity university",
"title": "London South Bank University",
"sections": [
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=amenity_university.png",
"title": "Pedestrian Hazard",
"text": "It is likely that members of the public will congregate in and/or around this area. Please be mindful of their safety."
},
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=amenity_university.png",
"title": "Privacy Concerns",
"text": "This classification of area or point is likely to be additionally sensitive to privacy concerns. You may have greater obligations to disclose your intended flight over, within or near these areas to any controlling authority or land owner, particularly if you plan to fly with surveillance equipment."
}
],
"actions": []
}
},
"type": "Feature"
},
{
"geometry": {
"coordinates": [
[-0.1132399,51.5032168],[-0.1140898,51.5025247],[-0.1143532,51.5022606],[-0.1145354,51.5020728]
],
"type": "LineString"
},
"id": "B84BAC3E146546690C53DC687692029CBD3D083D",
"properties": {
"fillColor": "#ffbb00",
"fillOpacity": "0.35",
"strokeColor": "#b88702",
"strokeWidth": "1",
"strokeOpacity": "0.8",
"detailedCategory": "railway:rail",
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=railway_rail.png",
"name": "railway rail",
"category": "groundHazard",
"filters": [
{
"name": "Ground Hazards",
"property": "show",
"active": true
}
],
"display": {
"category": "Ground Hazard",
"detailedCategory": "railway rail",
"title": "Ground Hazard",
"sections": [
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=railway_rail.png",
"title": "Rail Infrastructure",
"text": "Be aware that rail infrastructure is dangerous: fast-moving rolling-stock, electrified tracks, cables and/or signalling equipment exists that may not be individually mapped."
}
],
"actions": []
}
},
"type": "Feature"
},
{
"geometry": {
"coordinates": [
[
[-0.72798748237513211, 51.4170323569639], [-0.72776448814717509, 51.414586593414249], [-0.72715933621707063, 51.412166261383554], [-0.7261779100284258, 51.409794651887978]
]
],
"type": "Polygon"
},
"id": "8394F99ED2EC386749B3FDAFE67A29C55D1177EB",
"properties": {
"fillColor": "#FF0055",
"fillOpacity": "0.35",
"strokeColor": "#BF0442",
"strokeWidth": "1",
"strokeOpacity": "0.8",
"detailedCategory": "class:tfr",
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=class_tfr.png",
"name": "RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) AT ASCOT, BERKSHIRE FOR THE RED BULL AIR RACE 2016",
"category": "airspace",
"operationalTo": "2016-08-14T17:30:00Z",
"filters": [
{
"name": "Temporary Flight Restriction",
"property": "show",
"active": true
},
{
"name": "Airspace",
"property": "show",
"active": true
},
{
"name": "Class TFR",
"property": "show",
"active": true
}
],
"display": {
"category": "airspace",
"airspaceClass": "G",
"designator": "EGLF",
"detailedCategory": "Class TFR",
"title": "RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) AT ASCOT, BERKSHIRE FOR THE RED BULL AIR RACE 2016",
"sections": [
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=warning.png",
"title": "Temporary Flight Restriction",
"text": "This is an official 'No Fly Zone' (a Temporary Flight Restriction) and it applies according to the following criteria, in the region indicated by the boundary shown."
},
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=warning.png",
"title": "Activation Details",
"text": "Status: 08:00 hours on 11 August until 17:30 on 14 August 2016 (UTC)"
},
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=warning.png",
"title": "Controlled Airspace",
"text": "This airspace has a specific classification which applies to manned aviation, and may have implications on drone operations depending on local laws and regulations governing drone use.\r\n\r\nRegulations governing the flight of drones vary from country-to-country, therefore these areas are included for your information. It is your responsibility to check the applicability of any local, state and/or national laws and regulations which may permit or otherwise restrict the operation of your drone. Unless regulations in your region explicitly permit the operation of your drone in this area, we recommend you do not operate your drone here."
}
],
"actions": [
{
"description": "Further Details",
"uri": "http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/fwf-natsuk/restricted/user/ino/brief_overview.faces",
"iconUrl": null
}
]
}
},
"type": "Feature"
},
{
"geometry": {
"coordinates": [
[
[ -0.73049178301143347, 51.304656930751918], [-0.73284759492371676, 51.306068256309516], [-0.73531119438880033, 51.307405375802524], [-0.7378766433612769, 51.308665061416555]
]
],
"type": "Polygon"
},
"id": "F47836AB8A524FA0D3B25BCCC78D9A564258540E",
"properties": {
"fillColor": "#FF0055",
"fillOpacity": "0.35",
"strokeColor": "#BF0442",
"strokeWidth": "1",
"strokeOpacity": "0.8",
"detailedCategory": "type:atz",
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=class_type_atz.png",
"name": "FARNBOROUGH",
"category": "airspace",
"airac": {
"to": "2016-08-18",
"from": "2016-07-21"
},
"filters": [
{
"name": "Airspace",
"property": "show",
"active": true
},
{
"name": "Type ATZ",
"property": "show",
"active": true
}
],
"display": {
"category": "airspace",
"detailedCategory": "Type ATZ",
"title": "FARNBOROUGH",
"sections": [
{
"iconUrl": "https://www.altitudeangel.com/Map/Icon?icon=warning.png",
"title": "Controlled Airspace",
"text": "This airspace has a specific classification which applies to manned aviation, and may have implications on drone operations depending on local laws and regulations governing drone use.\r\n\r\nRegulations governing the flight of drones vary from country-to-country, therefore these areas are included for your information. It is your responsibility to check the applicability of any local, state and/or national laws and regulations which may permit or otherwise restrict the operation of your drone. Unless regulations in your region explicitly permit the operation of your drone in this area, we recommend you do not operate your drone here."
}
],
"actions": []
}
},
"type": "Feature"
}
],
"bbox": [
-0.115996261299187,
51.498511099924983,
-0.10148014611058898,
51.50490920528491
],
"type": "FeatureCollection"
}
Sample Limit-breached Response
{
"isCompleteData": false,
"excludedData": [
{
"message": "Request must include a bounding rectangle under 20,000,000 square meters.",
"detail": {
"name": "Ground Hazards"
},
"errorReason": "QueryAreaTooLarge"
}
],
"features": [
],
"bbox": [
-1.0776117916595922,
51.24434951896064,
-0.1396540279877172,
51.652165139566279
],
"type": "FeatureCollection"
}
Updated over 1 year ago