Wingbits Litepaper
Version: 2025-04-14
Summary
Wingbits is a community-powered flight tracking network that rewards data providers and delivers accurate flight tracking services to traditional enterprises and users. It allows anyone to participate by becoming a station operator and earn token rewards for collecting and providing ADS-B data.
The Wingbits token $WINGS is the utility token of the network, incentivizing participation, enabling transactions, and ensuring fair compensation for contributors. Our goal is to increase global flight observation density and improve the accuracy of flight information, especially for regions lacking in aviation infrastructure, while assisting aviation-sensitive businesses and organizations to optimize their operations.
Wingbits is designed (technically and financially) in such a way that the interests of all participants are aligned.
1. What is Wingbits?
1.1 The Wingbits project
Wingbits is a global flight tracking network which collects ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) data transmitted by aircraft via a community of station hosts located all over the world. The company aggregates, cleans, and enriches the data, which is then sold to data buyers around the globe. How Wingbits is differentiated from the competition comes down to the model, network, and hardware.
Wingbits is building a DePIN project on the Solana network to distribute rewards to its data providers based on performance. This approach allows Wingbits to optimize the network and increase its commercial value by creating strong incentives for data providers to optimize their stations, both in terms of hardware and location. Additionally, it enables Wingbits to strategically expand in areas that provide a competitive edge. It can be achieved by increasing rewards or issuing bounties in specific areas, such as airports or future vertiport locations, to encourage deployment, something none of the competitors can match.
1.2 Our value
ADS-B data is a type of aircraft tracking data that is transmitted by aircraft in real-time. It includes information such as the aircraft's position, velocity, altitude etc., and is broadcast to other aircraft and ground-based stations. This technology is becoming increasingly common in aviation, as it provides more accurate and up-to-date information about aircraft movements, enabling better air traffic management and improved safety.
The core value that we provide is the flight tracking data feeds for both live and historic flights. This is valuable for developers to easily access real-time aircraft data and integrate it into their applications. There are a variety of potential clients, including:
Aviation companies: Airlines, charter companies, and other aviation-related businesses could use ADS-B data to improve their operations and provide more accurate and up-to-date information to their customers.
Air traffic control organizations: National and regional air traffic control organizations could use ADS-B data to better manage traffic flow and improve safety in their airspace.
Financial sector: Aircraft lessors, asset managers, and insurance companies need accurate ADS-B data for compliance tracking, overflight fee reconciliation, and fleet risk assessment.
MRO & engine manufactures: Operational insights from ADS-B data help refine product designs and improve service offerings. These include “power by the hour” billing models, engine health monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
Data analytics & carbon accounting: ADS-B data powers analytics for operational efficiency, carbon footprint tracking, and route optimization.
Emergency services: Police, fire, and other emergency services could use ADS-B data to quickly locate aircraft in distress and provide assistance in emergency situations.
Aviation enthusiasts: Aviation enthusiasts, such as plane spotters and hobbyists, could use ADS-B data to track aircraft and monitor flight patterns.
Researchers and academics: Researchers and academics studying air traffic patterns, weather, and other aviation-related topics could use ADS-B data to conduct research and gather insights.
2. How does it work?
2.1 Coverage
Our mission is to offer stable and affordable global coverage while still rewarding stations who provide the data. Anyone in the world can become a Wingbits participant and get rewarded for monitoring the skies.
To build a more efficient network, we created a reliable and cost-effective coverage model using Uber's h3 hex system at resolution 3. This system divides the globe into unique hexagons, each with a distinct code. Our coverage is similarly segmented, with sky sections monitored by our data providers.
2.2 Asserting location
Once a station is registered on the system it will be assigned a location area (h3 hex at resolution 6) for a given time window. When the station starts contributing positional flight messages to Wingbits servers, within that time window, the location area will be claimed by that station. No other station can be installed in a claimed location area.
The goal of this location area management is to prevent over-saturation of rewards while still providing the data quality necessary for customers.
Any location area(s) may be enabled or disabled for new onboardings based on regular reviews of project data coverage and redundancy performance of the coverage (rewards) hexes, by Wingbits.
2.3 Rewards
The flight tracking industry relies on volunteers who run stations at their own expense to collect data. However, this system may be seen as unfair. To address this, we have implemented a solution using blockchain technology to tokenize the data and reward the stations in a transparent and equitable manner based on their contribution.
Rewards for our data providers are allocated using the coverage model. In this model, each resolution 3 hexagon provides a fixed daily reward, distributed among providers based on the amount of data sent and their commitment to the network via uptime. This model also aligns rewards with each participant's capabilities, aiding in our mission to establish widespread and dependable global coverage.
3. Tokenomics
$WINGS is a Solana SPL token with a fixed supply of 10 billion tokens, allocated as in the table below. In total, 51% of all tokens are allocated for the community and community support related initiatives.
Allocation %
Usage
Details
40%
Daily Station Rewards
4B tokens will be used to reward station owners for providing data to the network.
11%
Ecosystem
1.1B tokens will be used for the ecosystem and will be used to reward project contributors as well as initiatives related to marketing, partnerships etc.
24.5%
Investors
This is allocated for capital partners and will be used in funding rounds
24.5%
Team
This will be allocated to the founders and employees that are part of building Wingbits
3.1 Investors
Investors will vest their tokens over 1.5 years. There will be a 6 month lock-in after TGE at which point investors receive 10% of their share. The remaining 90% will vest over the next 12 months at a linear, monthly vesting schedule for a total of 1.5 year vesting.
3.2 Team
The team will vest their tokens over 2 years. There will be a 12 month lock-in after TGE at which point the team starts a linear vesting schedule. The team tokens will vest over the following 12 months at a linear, monthly unlock schedule for a total of 2 years vesting.
3.3 Ecosystem
11% of the token supply is allocated for the ecosystem. The ecosystem will be used for partnership collaborations, marketing, and other initiatives supporting the growth and health of the community.
3.4 Daily Station Rewards
The remaining 4 billion are allocated to reward participants based on their performance over a period of 20 years, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term network participation. In a first phase (from year 1 until year 8) the allocation is divided into two distinct reward buckets to incentivize specific behaviors and contributions:
Base Rewards Bucket (3 Billion Tokens)
Early Participation Bucket (1 Billion Tokens)
Additionally, a dedicated pool will be allocated for bonus rewards derived from the unclaimed rewards. These bonus rewards will support initiatives such as area-specific bounties, low-altitude incentives, and other efforts to encourage station deployment and network optimization. While the bonus budget is not explicitly shown in the Phase 1 chart, the unclaimed supply allows flexibility for these incentives.
3.4.1 Phase 1 (year 1 to year 8)
The tokens will be distributed to the following pools/vaults (Network Score to be replaced by "Base Rewards" in the image below):
Each station's rewards in Phase 1 are calculated using the following formula:
3.4.1.2 Base Rewards Bucket
A total of 3 billion tokens will be allocated to the Base Rewards Bucket. These tokens will also be distributed evenly across 8 years. This bucket rewards participants based on their Network Score, which evaluates the relative importance of a station’s contributions using the PageRank algorithm, a well-known metric for evaluating the importance of a node in a network. The Network Score accounts for the amount of data provided, as well as the relative contribution in providing data points for each hexagons.
3.4.2.2 Early Participation Bucket
The Early Participation Bucket is designed to incentivize both early participation and geographical coverage. A total of 1 billion tokens will be distributed over the first 5 years. The Early Participation reward will allocate a higher proportion of tokens, with an annual 10% reduction in rewards each year. This approach rewards early contributors while maintaining ongoing incentives for coverage. It is calculated as:
3.4.2 Phase 2 (year 9 to year 20)
In a second phase (from year 9 to year 20) the remaining allocation of the pool of unclaimed tokens from Phase 1, is divided into extending the Base Rewards and the Bonus rewards.
Each station's rewards in Phase 2 are calculated using the following formula:
3.4.2.1 Unclaimed Base Rewards supply & Bonus
As global coverage has not yet been fully achieved, and approximately 40% of hexagons remain uncovered due to geographical constraints, these unclaimed areas will be added to another fund. This fund is designed for extending the Base Rewards in the second phase and also provides bonus rewards.
3.4.3 Process for claiming rewards
Claiming rewards is a manual process to give users control and potentially avoid creating daily taxable events. In many jurisdictions, each token transfer is taxable, so automatic daily payouts would create an administrative burden. With manual claiming, station operators can choose when to move tokens from the Wingbits vault to their personal wallet - daily, weekly, monthly, or less frequently - based on their preferences or local tax rules. Unclaimed rewards remain accessible and can still be used within the platform (e.g., for perks or data access) without triggering a taxable transaction. This flexible design balances ease of use, regulatory considerations, and platform engagement.
3.5 Token Flow
Buyers can access the data from the Foundation with our native $WINGS token, USDC and in the future, also via bank wires. The funds flowing into the foundation will be used as follows:
Approximately 25% will be used to cover operational costs.
50% of revenue will be used to buy back and burn tokens.
25% of funds will be used to add to the wingbits treasury.
3.6 Sinks & Faucets
Sinks Purpose: Support long-term value and stability
Faucets Purpose: Increase usage & increase participation
Staking Multiplier (temporary)
$WINGS store
Holder levels (temporary)
Buyback & burn program
Pay for data access & burn
Miner rewards
Staking multiplier rewards
Airdrops (minimal)
Bonuses (low altitude, bounties etc.)
3.6.1 Token Holding Multiplier
We will introduce various staking multipliers that will automatically start when a participant reaches certain token thresholds and leave the tokens unclaimed.
For instance:
Reaching X number of tokens could earn a 1.05x multiplier.
Reaching X number of tokens could earn a 1.1x multiplier.
Reaching X number of tokens could earn a 1.15x multiplier.
Reaching X number of tokens could earn a 1.2x multiplier.
Note: levels to be set.
3.6.2 Spending $WINGS on the platform
We will offer goods and services via the platform that can be purchased using tokens. Spending tokens on the platform will grant users access to items such as collectibles, NFTs, or digital services. Tokens used for these transactions will be burned, thereby reducing the total token supply.
3.6.3 Holder Level Perks
Users can achieve higher holder levels by retaining their unclaimed tokens over time. As users reach higher levels, they unlock exclusive benefits and privileges. Perks can include:
Community Perks
Profile badges or titles
Unlocking additional platform features as a Diamond or Gold user
Access Perks
Early access to new products
Invitations to product discussions and other exciting developments
Invitations to exclusive events
Tangible Rewards
Limited edition merchandise
Access to NFTs
3.6.4 Buy back and burn program
When Wingbits sells data, 50% of the revenue generated will be utilized to buy-back and burn $WINGS tokens.
3.6.5 Pay for data access & burn
$WINGS can be used by third parties to pay for raw or enriched ADS-B data from Wingbits for commercial, research, or personal use. Each payment contributes to the ecosystem by burning a portion of the $WINGS and reducing the circulating supply.
Mainnet launch: The mainnet launch will unlock new capabilities for the Wingbits ecosystem, enabling token integration for rewarding contributors, incentivizing network expansion, and facilitating token-based transactions.
Product development: Wingbits will enhance the user experience for its community with initiatives like improved platform usability, gamification features, and a mobile app, and for B2B customers new data products will be introduced.
Network growth: Strategic marketing, community-building efforts, and active engagement with industry stakeholders will drive awareness, adoption, and contributor participation. These efforts aim to achieve global coverage by the end of 2025, creating a comprehensive flight tracking network.
Market expansion: Wingbits will pursue sales opportunities to capture a significant share of the ADS-B data market. By leveraging its existing pipeline, the company will target industries such as aviation, finance, and data analytics to maximize its market impact.
4. Project milestones
4.1 Past milestones 2024
Raised $9.2 million in funding from investors.
Expanded the global network to 2,100 live stations across 85 countries.
Secured pre-orders for 2,000 new devices, with delivery set for February 2025, and achieving 10-15 orders daily.
Projected to exceed 4,500 total live stations by March 2025.
Built a thriving community with over 5,000 active Discord members, 10,000+ Twitter followers, and 8,500+ registered platform users.
Secured paying customers who validated the business case and model.
Released a successful testnet with continuous rewards distribution without issues.
Demonstrated network security expertise in discussions with a major American aerospace and defense company, showcasing advanced capabilities in data integrity and protection.
Established industry leadership through innovations like RTK technology integration and the proprietary Geosigner USB security dongle.
Benchmarked superior station coverage against market leaders, proving higher performance and reliability.
Onboarded our first paying customer, an American aerospace company, and advancing multiple pilot programs with aviation analytics and intelligence organizations.
Gained recognition from industry stakeholders, including Eurocontrol representatives, emphasizing innovation in flight tracking after a decade of stagnation.
4.2 Future milestones
Mainnet launch: The mainnet launch will unlock new capabilities for the Wingbits ecosystem, enabling token integration for rewarding contributors, incentivizing network expansion, and facilitating token-based transactions.
Product development: Wingbits will enhance the user experience for its community with initiatives like improved platform usability, gamification features, and a mobile app, and for B2B customers new data products will be introduced.
Network growth: Strategic marketing, community-building efforts, and active engagement with industry stakeholders will drive awareness, adoption, and contributor participation. These efforts aim to achieve global coverage by the end of 2025, creating a comprehensive flight tracking network.
Market expansion: Wingbits will pursue sales opportunities to capture a significant share of the ADS-B data market. By leveraging its existing pipeline, the company will target industries such as aviation, finance, and data analytics to maximize its market impact.
5. Additional Rules/Details
All participants from the alpha and beta stages will receive retroactive rewards based on their historic data contributions, once the project transitions to mainnet. These rewards will be paid out daily for 365 days, as 365 equal portions.
Validation of station coordinates (lat/lon) will be carried out regularly and stations running outside their claimed location will not earn rewards until returned to the proper location.
Each claimable location corresponds to an h3 hexagon at resolution 6, with a theoretical max of 14,117,882 locations/antennas. About 70% of these hexes are water locked and most will not be generally available/usable.
Wingbits reserves the right to limit location availability, based on regular reviews of project data coverage and redundancy performance.
If a participant's station is unable to provide data for over 100 days, Wingbits reserves the right to release the location (res 6 hex) and make it available to others.
Stations may only submit data received by that station's receiver/decoder from the attached antenna. No 3rd party data or data from other devices is allowed.
Breaking or attempting to bypass any project rules, or in general cause harm to the project, will result in an immediate ban, loss of hexes, and loss of future rewards.
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