Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Types of Cookies:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• First-Party Cookies: Set by CATX Skies
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (e.g., CDNs)

2. Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the website to function and cannot be switched off.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
PHPSESSID	Maintains your login session and user state	Session (deleted on browser close)
csrf_token	Security protection against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks	2 hours

2.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
user_preferences	Stores your application settings and preferences	1 year
simulator_type	Remembers your selected flight simulator	30 days
map_settings	Saves map zoom level and center position	30 days

2.3 Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
_analytics	Tracks page views and user interactions	2 years
_performance	Measures website performance and load times	1 year

2.4 Third-Party Cookies

We use services from trusted third parties that may set their own cookies:

• CDN Providers (Cloudflare): Content delivery and security
• Font Awesome: Icon library delivery
• OpenStreetMap: Map tile delivery

These third parties have their own privacy policies governing their use of cookies.

3. Why We Use Cookies

3.1 Authentication & Security

• Keep you logged in between page visits
• Protect against unauthorized access
• Prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks
• Detect suspicious activity

3.2 Functionality

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Save your simulator selection
• Restore map position and zoom level
• Maintain application state

3.3 Performance & Analytics

• Understand how users interact with the site
• Identify and fix bugs
• Measure website performance
• Improve user experience

3.4 Security Monitoring

• Track login attempts
• Detect brute-force attacks
• Monitor suspicious behavior
• Enforce rate limiting

4. Managing Cookies

4.1 Browser Controls

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• View what cookies are stored
• Delete all cookies
• Delete specific cookies
• Block cookies from specific sites
• Block all third-party cookies
• Block all cookies (not recommended)

4.2 Browser-Specific Instructions

4.3 Impact of Disabling Cookies

5. Other Tracking Technologies

5.1 Local Storage

We use browser local storage to:

• Cache airport data for faster loading
• Store flight tracking data locally
• Save map tiles for offline use
• Store user preferences

5.2 Session Storage

We use session storage for:

Temporary flight data during active tracking

Navigation state

Form data preservation

5.3 Web Beacons

We do NOT use web beacons, pixel tags, or invisible tracking images.

6. Cookie Consent

6.1 Your Consent

By using CATX Skies, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.

6.2 Withdrawing Consent

You can withdraw consent at any time by:

• Deleting cookies through your browser settings
• Adjusting your cookie preferences in our application
• Logging out of your account

6.3 Essential vs. Optional

Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for the site to function. Optional cookies (analytics, performance) can be disabled without affecting core functionality.

7. Data Protection

Cookies may contain personal data. We protect this data by:

• Using secure, HTTP-only cookies (not accessible to JavaScript)
• Implementing SameSite cookie attributes
• Using HTTPS for all connections
• Encrypting sensitive cookie data
• Setting appropriate expiration times

8. Updates to Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology or legal requirements.

Changes will be effective immediately upon posting. We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

We recommend reviewing this policy periodically.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• GitHub: CATX_Skies