Weather Decision Engine
Review a Go/No-Go score, check weather KPIs, consult the decision matrix, and view wind layers and 72-hour forecasts.
Make a weather-informed flight decision
The Weather Decision Engine aggregates hyperlocal weather data into a composite Go/No-Go score and presents detailed metrics for evaluating flight readiness. Review the assessment alongside your mission, aircraft, airspace, and operating conditions before launch.
Go/No-Go score
The composite score ranges from 0 to 100. It combines weather-related factors into a single advisory assessment:
| Score | Status | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 80 to 100 | Optimal / Go | Conditions support proceeding with the planned flight, subject to normal operational checks. |
| 60 to 79 | Caution | Conditions require additional review, risk controls, or a change to the flight plan. |
| Below 60 | No-go | Weather conditions indicate that you should not proceed without resolving the identified risks. |
The assessment also includes a confidence percentage, a summary recommendation, and the factors that influenced the result. Use these details to understand why the score reached its current status instead of relying on the score alone.
The Go/No-Go score is advisory. The Remote Pilot in Command retains final authority and responsibility for deciding whether the flight can proceed.
Weather KPIs
The Weather Decision Engine displays the conditions that most directly affect aircraft performance, visibility, and flight safety.
| Metric | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Ambient air temperature at the mission location. |
| Dew point | The temperature at which moisture begins to condense, helping indicate humidity and possible low-visibility conditions. |
| Humidity | The amount of moisture in the air relative to its saturation point. |
| Flight visibility | The distance at which objects remain visibly distinguishable for flight operations. |
| Geomagnetic Kp index | Geomagnetic activity that may affect certain navigation and communication considerations. |
| Lightning proximity | The distance from the mission area to detected lightning activity. |
| Wind speed and gusts | Sustained wind and short-duration increases that can affect control and battery use. |
| Wind direction | The direction from which the wind is moving. |
| Turbulence index | An indication of expected atmospheric movement that may affect stability and image quality. |
| Precipitation and conditions | Current precipitation and the observed condition, such as clear, cloudy, or rainy. |
Review the KPI cards before opening the detailed views. A single favorable metric does not override a critical risk such as nearby lightning, poor visibility, or excessive gusts.
Go/No-Go Decision Matrix
The decision matrix shows how individual weather factors contribute to the overall assessment.
The matrix includes the following columns:
| Column | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Factor | Weather condition being evaluated, such as wind, visibility, or lightning. |
| Current value | The latest measured or calculated value for the factor. |
| Limit | The comparison threshold used by the assessment. |
| Impact | How the factor affects the composite decision. |
| Status | Whether the factor passes, requires caution, or fails. |
Use the matrix to identify the specific conditions lowering the score. A factor can pass while another requires caution or fails, so review the complete matrix before acknowledging the assessment.
Altitude Wind Layers
Altitude Wind Layers shows wind speed, gusts, direction, and turbulence from the surface through 400 feet. Select a layer to compare how conditions change as the aircraft climbs.
Compare the layers with your planned flight path and operating altitude:
- Check surface conditions for takeoff, landing, and low-level maneuvering.
- Review intermediate layers for transitions during climbs, descents, and reveals.
- Compare the upper layers with the planned maximum altitude.
- Look for increasing gusts, changing direction, or higher turbulence before selecting an altitude.
Use these layers to adjust the planned altitude, heading, shot sequence, or return-to-home considerations when conditions vary significantly above the surface.
72-hour Flight Window Finder
The 72-hour Flight Window Finder presents an hourly forecast with condition, temperature, wind, and precipitation chance. Use it to compare possible launch windows before committing to a mission time.
Look for a period with:
- Acceptable conditions throughout the planned flight duration.
- Wind and gusts within the aircraft's operating limits.
- Low precipitation probability.
- Sufficient visibility for the mission.
- Stable conditions across the planned launch and recovery period.
The 72-hour Flight Window Finder is available on the Pro Pilot and Enterprise tiers.
Pilot acknowledgment
After reviewing the score, KPIs, and detailed assessment, acknowledge the Go/No-Go decision in the weather view before proceeding. The acknowledgment records that you reviewed the current assessment. It does not transfer flight authority from the Remote Pilot in Command or replace your required pre-flight checks.
Refreshing weather data
Use the weather refresh control to request an updated assessment for the active mission. Review the updated timestamp, score, KPI values, and decision matrix after the refresh because changing conditions can affect the recommendation.
The current implementation simulates weather refresh behavior locally. It does not demonstrate a live connection to an external weather service.