Methodology

Stabilator turns public registration data and third-party flight observations into structured aircraft profiles. This page explains what each category of information means — and what it does not.

Aircraft identity

We resolve a canonical physical aircraft using manufacturer serial number, ICAO address when available, make/model, and registration effective dates. N-numbers may be reassigned; historical flight data is associated with the aircraft identity, not merely the current registration. When reconciliation is uncertain, we say so rather than silently merging records.

Detected flights

A detected flight is a flight segment derived from positional observations (for example ADS-B). Gaps in reception may be merged when geography and timing support continuity. Absence of detected activity does not prove the aircraft did not fly.

Utilization metrics

Observed hours, distances, airports visited, and related figures are calculated deterministically from flight segments. They are not tach/Hobbs or official logbook time.

Summaries

Narrative sections interpret structured metrics only. They do not infer airworthiness, Part 91 versus Part 135, maintenance quality, or owner characteristics.

What Stabilator is not

Stabilator does not replace a pre-buy inspection, title search, mechanic review, FAA records review, or airworthiness determination.