1. Setting Up the Map

Use the Google Maps JavaScript API to render the map and manage the map’s state.

Pseudocode:

import { APIProvider, Map } from "@vis.gl/react-google-maps";

function FlightMap() {
  return (
    <APIProvider apiKey={"YOUR_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY"}>
      <Map
        defaultCenter={{ lat: 30.4746, lng: -87.191 }}
        defaultZoom={6}
        options={{ disableDefaultUI: true }}
      />
    </APIProvider>
  );
}

2. Rendering Plane Markers

Each plane is represented by a custom marker. The icon rotates based on the plane’s heading.

Pseudocode:

function PlaneMarker({ plane, onClick }) {
  const icon = createRotatedIcon(plane.track); // Rotate icon based on track

  return (
    <Marker
      position={{ lat: plane.lat, lng: plane.lon }}
      icon={{ url: icon }}
      onClick={() => onClick(plane)}
    />
  );
}

function createRotatedIcon(track) {
  // Create a canvas element, rotate image, and return as Data URL
}

3. Managing State with Hooks

Use the usePlanes hook to manage plane data and handle plane selection.

Pseudocode:

function usePlanes(data) {
  const [planes, setPlanes] = useState(data);
  const [selectedPlane, setSelectedPlane] = useState(null);

  const handlePlaneClick = (plane) => {
    setSelectedPlane((prev) => (prev?.id === plane.id ? null : plane));
  };

  return { planes, setPlanes, selectedPlane, handlePlaneClick };
}

4. Animating Plane Movements

Smoothly interpolate plane positions over time for realistic animations.

Pseudocode:

function usePlaneAnimation(planes, setPlanes) {
  useEffect(() => {
    const interval = setInterval(() => {
      setPlanes((prevPlanes) =>
        prevPlanes.map((plane) => {
          const newPos = calculateNewPosition(plane);
          return { ...plane, lat: newPos.lat, lon: newPos.lon };
        })
      );
    }, 1000);

    return () => clearInterval(interval);
  }, [planes, setPlanes]);
}

function calculateNewPosition(plane) {
  // Calculate new latitude and longitude based on speed and heading
}

5. Visualizing Flight Paths

Use Google Maps polylines to visualize the path a plane has taken.

Pseudocode:

function renderFlightPath(plane, paths) {
  if (!paths[plane.id]) return null;

  return new google.maps.Polyline({
    path: paths[plane.id],
    strokeColor: "#4285F4",
    strokeWeight: 3,
  });
}

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