🐋 A Python library to track the Airbus BelugaXL flights in real time using FlightRadar24
I did not used AI Agents for this project, the goal was to make everything from scratch to see how hard it could be and learn new things by developing my skills.
However I did used some code completations that were given by Copilot.
I built PyBelugaXL, my first Python library, which lets you track Airbus BelugaXL flights in real time using the the FlightRadar24 API.
For those who don’t know, the Airbus BelugaXL planes are huuuge cargo aircrafts used by Airbus (aircraft manufacturer) to transport parts between its factories across Europe.
The idea came from wanting to know when a BelugaXL plane would fly over me so I could take a picture of it (cuz they’r cute you know..). That is how the project started.
What I’m most proud of is actually that it works in real time and feels quite clean and easy to use.
It’s a small project but I learned a lot about working with external data sources and packaging Python libraries.
Thanks for reading 🐳
Hello again! Last devlog here
I’v finished writing the docs and it’s live at https://tga25dev.github.io/pybelugaxl/. I’v used MkDocs Material which is a very nice way of creating easy and quick documentations that are fully written in markdown!
The is hosted on Github Pages, so it was quite quick to deploy (though I add a few issues wich code formatting not formatting…)
Anyway it was a fun project to make and I hope you’ll like it. Thanks for reading!
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Hey!
I’v worked a little on the projet again to add custom Python exceptions using classes. It’s not a lot but I wanted to add them as it’s the first time I write and publish a lib. Anyway I’v also refactored some code structure, testes some new things and I’m planning to write the doc asap.
Seeya
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Hello again!
Today I’v finished the get_fleet_data function. Basically this function reads static data from a JSON file and returns it. You can of course filter it by registration number.
Moreover I’v also added a demo flag for the main get_beluga function allowing you to get dummy data for demo purposes or when there are no belugas flying for example.
For now I think I’ll focus on writing a nice documentation rather than adding features. Stay tuned!
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Hey!
Today I’v added a new function to get pictures of the BelugaXL planes. You can filter by registration and also set a return limit, if you don’t provide a registration number don’t worry as it will randomly pick one for you.
The pictures are from the website JetPhotos.com and I’v used a nice api that I found on github to fetch them.
See you later for a new devlog!
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In this version I’v fixed some bugs but I’v mainly added new things. First a function to get the current status of the fleet and also a json file with static data about all the Beluga aircrafts (it took me a long time to gather the information and decide how to structurate the json). Anyway thanks for reading!
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Hey ! This is the first devlog of the projet. I only do it now because I started the project before thinking about uploading it on flavortown.
Anyway, with this version you can get data for all the Beluga flights, filter by destination, registration number etc etc..
And also know if there’s a specific Beluga in a given zone.
Everything was made in Python and the module is available for you to install on Pypi.
Enjoy!
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