'@everyone

Well, the sad news we feared all along is now here.

FlightRadar24 has notified us that the unpaid API the FSLTL injector uses will be shut down on **April 30, 2026**.

__**Why?**__
In our discussions with FR24, we had hoped a low-cost option/plan for their current for-cost API might be made available for users to purchase directly from FR24 that could then be used in the FSLTL injector.  Unfortunately, that option never came to be, and the normal pricing for the FR24 API is very cost prohibitive.  Some of our estimates were in the range of over $20 for a single 3 hour sim flight with 20 AI aircraft in range.  That just isn't going to work.  There's a reason most of the big paid ATC/traffic injectors out there for MSFS2020/2024 don't use live data natively... its expensive!

__**So what now?**__
On or before April 30, 2026, we'll need to release a version of the FSLTL injector that does not include the current FR24 API calls we've been using.  That will basically leave the injector as static aircraft injection only.

We'll then be on the search for potential alternative providers.  Based on previous research and discussions with different providers in the past, we doubt we'll find a free provider that would provide all the data the current injector is coded to use.  But we're going to continue searching high and low for a solution.  It could also mean partnering with a provider that is willing to work with us to offer a low-cost option for users to use if they so wish.  FSLTL itself will **ALWAYS** be free.

If you have an actual human contact with a data provider, not just the data provider's name or URL, please get in touch with us.

In the end, in terms of the FSLTL injector, we'll probably end up in one of these outcomes:

- We find a no-cost provider of live data for use with the FSLTL injector
- We find a low-cost provider of live data users would purchase on their own for use with the FSLTL injector
- The injector stays static aircraft only
- The injector as a whole dies

__*But let us be clear*__... we don't blame FR24 for their decision and hold no ill will towards them.  FlightRadar24 is a for-profit business and like any business, want to be compensated for the use of their product.  Completely understandable.  They could have turned off the unpaid API at any time in the past and we would have been in this same position.  For a long time, FSLTL being a free addon for the flight sim community granted us some leeway in our use of the API.  But business is business... and combined with this free data being used by other for-cost 3rd party applications with no compensation, it's understandable FR24 would want to shut down this legacy API and force a switch to their current paid API.

And who knows... maybe in the future we can come to an agreement with FR24 on a more affordable option to use with the FSLTL injector.

__**When?**__
Besides the injector release on or before April 30, 2026 mentioned above, we have no ETA for anything else related to the FSLTL injector.  We'll announce news when we have it.

__**Base Models**__
The above **DOES NOT** impact FSLTL Base Models.  It will remain available, we'll continue to release updates when we can with new and updated models, liveries, VMR files, etc.'

Source

Edited April 18Apr 18 by MrLamb

This is absolutely awful news. I’ve been using it every single flight since it came out. What a shame.

Give your AI planes a hug today.

😭

It's sad news, especially for my VFR flights. Might need to go back to default AI when flying VFR.

Thankfully, I have BATC and that injector works well when performing IFR flights.

@MrLamb is it true that your dev team works with the BATC team?

I'm neither part of nor affilated with any flightsim dev team. 

36 minutes ago, CFIJose said:

is it true that your dev team works with the BATC team?

Whakamolenz was the developer that created the injector. However since he started working for BATC, he had no time anymore to contribute on the project. It has been maintained by other members of the FSLTL team

Edited April 18Apr 18 by Dialex

was always a kind of to good to be true type of thing... really no other options out there.

3 minutes ago, Mike S KPDX said:

was always a kind of to good to be true type of thing... really no other options out there.

Actually, there is: PSXT (free) + RealTraffic (~$9/mo)

Boah, come on - what a disaster, hope they find another way where we have no coast..

cheers 🤪

I wonder if it would be possible for FSLTL to use historic FR24 data as per BATC?

Far from ideal but better than nothing?

Edited April 18Apr 18 by Vel

What a shame. It's good the models will continue to be updated, guess I'll check out PSXT. Thanks FSLTL!

Been using PSXT for a while now and love it... using the FSLTL models.. gives me the satisfaction of knowing where i am that the traffic is actually live at that very moment... if that sort of thing doesn't worry you then historic data is all good..

Well that's a shame but perfectly understandable, hopefully something can be figured out if not I'll peruse other options.

I’m using FSHud together with AIG for traffic and schedules, and for me it covers pretty much every airport I normally fly to.

3 hours ago, Cloud Surfing said:

I’m using FSHud together with AIG for traffic and schedules, and for me it covers pretty much every airport I normally fly to.

Last I checked, FSHUD doesn't control VFR traffic. I know that AIG has an injector. How well does the AIG injector work in MSFS v2024? I might want to revisit if I lose my beloved FSLTL Injector.

Update: Downloading AIG. I want to see if it has improved since trying it years ago. So far it's easier to install and much faster.

Edited April 18Apr 18 by CFIJose

9 hours ago, Bob Scott said:

RealTraffic (~$9/mo)

Bob, I don't think you can say "actually there is" when the "solution" you listed costs 9 bucks a month. I know it's not a lot of money, but the original item was and is.... free. I don't view those similarly.