14. Aircraft & Operator Colors

1. Color priority chain

Marker color priority:

1. Aircraft Colors by ICAO hex has highest priority,
2. if missing, Operator Colors is used,
3. if both missing, default marker color is used.

2. Operator color resolution

Operator Colors lookup order:

1. first 3 characters of callsign,
2. operatorFlagCode from aircraft database record.

3. Visual modifiers

1. Color by operator in label config must be enabled for custom tinting.
2. Emergency squawk rendering forces emergency red.
3. Selected marker style can force yellow selection (unless preserve mode is used).

4. Admin/API behavior

1. both mappings are upsert-style (PUT creates or updates existing key),
2. mappings are persisted in data directory JSON files,
3. stored mappings are sorted by key on save.

5. Quick diagnostic checklist

1. verify key format (ICAO hex for Aircraft Colors, operator code for Operator Colors),
2. verify Color by operator is enabled,
3. remember Aircraft Colors overrides Operator Colors,
4. verify emergency/selection state is not masking expected tint.