An Eagle's Eye View of the Alps

Have you ever ridden the thermals above the Alps, gliding silently over some of the world's most spectacular mountain scenery? Thanks to OGN 3D Replay, you can now experience something very close to that -virtually.

This new interactive map lets you replay real glider flights in an immersive 3D landscape. Simply enter an airfield's ICAO code (try LFMX, EGHL, KME or CN12) and pick a date to watch the day's flights unfold over realistic terrain. You can follow the action from above or switch to a cockpit view, complete with a heads-up display showing your heading, altitude and variometer readings.

The flights come from the Open Glider Network (OGN), a volunteer-run network of ground stations that track gliders using FLARM and ADS-B transmissions. The whole application runs entirely in your browser. Built with TypeScript and deck.gl, it combines AWS Terrarium elevation data with Esri satellite imagery to create a realistic 3D landscape.

It's a wonderful example of how open data and modern web mapping can transform a collection of GPS positions into an engaging, immersive experience. By reconstructing a day's glider flight tracks in 3D, OGN 3D Replay turns raw data into a compelling form of geographic storytelling.