FreeBird is a non-profit making aviation database.

Produced by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.

The

FreeBird Aviation Database is designed by aircraft enthusiasts, for aircraft enthusiasts. It is populated with full aircraft registration histories, as well as current operator and base details for airliners, military transports, bombers, business jets and business turboprops (Click here for a list of the types currently within FreeBird). The database has an easy to use, fast logging facility for both personal sightings and flights, and will generate a myriad of statistical data about your own personal spotting experiences. Powerful search facilities allow users to generate listings by operator, base location, type or country register. Searches can also be made on individual registrations, current or previous, fleet number, or aircraft name. Regular updates are sent via e-mail to a user group that is hosted by Yahoogroups.

The principle of FreeBird is to be a sharing enthusiast community. FreeBird was started by a small group of enthusiasts who wanted a user friendly, comprehensive and up to date piece of software in which to store their sightings. There were options out there (and still are!) but, apart from the fact that they seemed to be rather expensive, we wanted something where the user could lift out their sightings with ease if they so wished, and where users would not be threatened with legal action for having the temerity to criticise! The answer was to create our own.

Early in 2003 it was decided to offer FreeBird to anyone with an interest. The financing of CDs, postage and packaging came from the pockets of the principals, with satisfied users being asked to make a contribution to the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity. The response was overwhelming and, as a consequence, and in order to keep the momentum going, the decision has been taken to make FreeBird a subscription database, at a cost of £6 GBP ($10 USD / €10 EUR) for the year 2004. This fee will cover software and all updates. Subscription money will be used to cover basic costs, and the intention is to generate a modest surplus for donation to charity at year-end. Accounts will be made available to all FreeBird users, in order to confirm that the non-profit making principle of the organisation is upheld.

If you are interested in subscribing to FreeBird and joining the FreeBird User Group (FBUG), or have any questions, please send a message to fbug-owner@yahoogroups.com New user enquiries are generally dealt with at the weekend so please be patient.

The recommended minimum system requirements to run FreeBird are:

ü 400 processor (1.5ghz+ preferred)

ü 64 mb RAM (256mb preferred)

ü Approx 150mb HD space

ü Microsoft Access 2000 (Microsoft provide a free web based run time version that can be downloaded-file size 32 mb)

ü E-mail account that accepts attachments (in order to receive updates)