Automated Flight Following
Automated Flight Following (AFF) is GPS aircraft tracking that is mandated by a government agency (or other governing body) for its contractors.{{Cite web|url=https://support.spidertracks.com/knowledge/i-need-to-set-up-automated-flight-following-aff-/-api|title=Set Up AFF|website=Spidertracks}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.guardianmobility.com/|title=Guardian Mobility|website=Guardian Mobility}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tracplus.com/why-tracplus/for-your-industry/firefighting/|title=Firefighting|website=TracPlus}} The following criteria must be met:
- The GPS device must transmit position reports every two minutes;
- The position reports must be pushed into the third-party database (where they are automatically tracked by dispatchers{{Cite web|url=https://www.aff.gov/|title=Automated Flight Following (AFF)|website=AFF Govt Website}}).
A common use for AFF devices is to track planes flying for the USDA or utility companies during fire season.