Wingbits is changing the game for aircraft tracking by rewarding users for contributing valuable data to its decentralized network. Whether you're an early adopter or considering setting up a station, understanding how the reward system works is key to maximizing your earnings.
Understanding the Basics of Wingbits Rewards
Wingbits rewards are designed to incentivize high-quality, unique, and consistent contributions to the network. Your earnings depend on several factors:
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Location and Uptime: Your station's placement and continuous operation are critical. Offline stations miss out on rewards.
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Early Participant Rewards (ERP): Joining the network early grants time-limited bonus rewards.
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Data Importance (PageRank): The strategic value of the data your station captures influences your share of rewards.
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Coverage Area: Stations in less-saturated areas or near airports often earn more by filling coverage gaps.
Rewards are based solely on positional messages (aircraft location data) contributed to the Wingbits network.
Reward Types Breakdown
1. Base Network Rewards
The Wingbits rewards system allocates a base pool of 24 WINGS daily to each hex on the Wingbits map, as long as at least one station in that hex contributes 100+ positional messages (aircraft transmit position and velocity data every 0.4 seconds while airborne) to the network that day. To maximize rewards, position your station to detect unique aircraft, as this increases your score and, consequently, your rewards. Placing a station in an area with many existing stations leads to redundant data, as they detect the same aircraft and report similar positional information. However, exceptions exist, such as deploying near an airport runway, which can offer unique advantages. See the near the end of the blog for more details. Check the Wingbits map.
2. Early Participant Rewards (ERP)
ERP is a time-limited bonus for early adopters:
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Reward: 2 WINGS per covered hex per day if your station contributes 100+ positional messages per hex and beats the bottom 10th percentile of message counts globally.
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Duration:
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Pre-Token Generation Event (TGE) and for 1 year post-TGE.
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Drops by 10% annually for 5 years, then stops.
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Eligibility: Poorly installed stations may not qualify if they fall in the bottom 10th percentile.
3. Low-Altitude Rewards (Coming Soon)
Stations near airports will soon earn bonus rewards for capturing low-altitude aircraft data (e.g., during taxiing, takeoff, or landing). Estimated eligible airports can be explored on the Wingbits map. Reward amounts are not yet specified.
Good installation photos
This install captures the aircrafts over the mountains where most other stations won't reach.
A perfect example of a DIY Wingbits unit being installed OVER the houses so clear line of sight with the skies.
How to Maximize Your Rewards
To boost your earnings, focus on these strategies:
1. Optimize Antenna Placement
ADS-B signals travel in straight lines, so maximizing your antenna’s line of sight to the horizon is crucial. Obstacles like trees, buildings, or windows can degrade signal quality. This ensures you capture the most aircrafts.
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Ideal Placement:
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Outdoors, as high as possible (e.g., roof or pole mount).
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Away from obstructions like trees, walls, or chimneys.
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2. Capture Unique Data
Wingbits prioritizes unique, high-value coverage over sheer volume. Focus on:
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Low-Altitude Data: Aircraft close to the ground, especially during taxiing, takeoff, or landing.
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Runway Visibility: Line of sight to runways, not just the sky.
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Coverage Gaps: Rural, mountainous, or coastal areas with sparse station coverage.
Unique data boosts your PageRank score, increasing your share of base rewards and eligibility for other reward pools.
Reward Claiming: The 7-Day Grace Period
All newly earned tokens will have a 7-day grace period before they can be claimed. This means:
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How It Works: Tokens earned today appear in your dashboard immediately but are claimable after 7 days.
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Why the Grace Period?: This is a security measure, inspired by successful projects, protects against issues and ensures accurate token distribution, safeguarding the network's long-term value.
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Example: Earn 100 WINGS on September 17; claim them on September 24.
Beta (Retroactive) Rewards at Mainnet
For those who contributed during the beta phase, Wingbits offers a structured payout at mainnet launch:
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Immediate Unlock: 5% of your total beta rewards, plus a 20% bonus on that amount, are unlocked on day one. Example: If you earned 10,000 tokens, you get 600 tokens immediately (500 base + 100 bonus).
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12-Month Distribution: The remaining 95% (e.g., 9,500 tokens) is distributed daily over 12 months (~26 tokens/day).
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Station Online: Earn the daily amount + a 20% bonus (e.g., ~31.23 tokens/day).
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Station Offline: Receive only the daily amount (~26 tokens/day).
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Online Requirement: At least one station on your account must have generated rewards the previous day to qualify for the bonus.
This prevents market flooding and supports a stable ecosystem.
Bad installs
It's crucial to understand the consequences of not adhering to guidelines and installing antennas in obstructed locations or indoors. When this station operates alone, it only covers two hexes, suggesting that it is either placed indoors or obstructed by trees. Earning them a low 57 Wings per week.
Hex 8644c54b7ffffff
One of the worst stations. You can see the signal does not reach far at all, only covers a single hex. This is why you do proper outdoor installations. 46 Wings per week.
Prime Locations for Maximum Rewards
Certain locations stand out for their high reward potential due to isolation, aircraft density, or strategic positioning. Here are examples.
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Hex 866d69adfffffff: A single station covering vast areas, earning ~2,400 WINGS/week.
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Hex 868af68cfffffff: At an airport with two other stations but superior installation, earning ~3,100 WINGS/week.
If you’re in or near these locations, consider setting up a station to capitalize on high reward potential.