JohnAJohnson
Cleared for Takeoff
Review: Takeoff - Aviation Weather App
Takeoff - Aviation Weather is available for iOS and Android platforms for $5.99. Takeoff HD - Aviation Weather is available for the iPad at $9.99. There is also a 7 day trial version (Takeoff Lite) available.
I installed Takeoff Lite (the trial version) onto my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (GT-P3113) Android tablet and within an hour, I bought the paid version.
When launched, you can have it default to Nearby, Favorites, Nearby Airport (that you select in advance in the preferences section), or Graphics.
Nearby queries all airports with weather reporting within a radius specified in preferences. I specify 60 NM and get graphics from five airports, showing ceiling, visibility, winds, and crosswinds. Under preferences, I tell the app that I like a ceiling of at least 2500', visibility of 5 miles, max wind of 10 knots, and max crosswind of 8 knots. If all five airports are within these parameters, all the icons on the screen are green, otherwise, the almost-out-of-tolerance items are yellow and the out-of-tolerance values are red. Here's an example of the Nearby display:
If I tap or swipe an airport, I can get details on its current weather:
And further swipes show the forecast (using the airport's TAFs or TAFs from the closest airport with TAFs), NOTAMs, Images (Surface Progs, RADAR, Icing, etc.), Air/Sigmets, Pireps, Winds Aloft, and Historical info. Here's the Forecast screen:
I really like this app. It presents all the weather information I need and enables me to quickly decide if I want to fly. If I used my airplane for cross country flying more often, I suspect there would be other apps more suitable for the research that normally goes into a week-long xc. But maybe not. Takeoff actually has direct, push-button access to DUATS, and all graphics available on aviationweather.gov are available here and easily accessed. There is also a menu selection titled Near Route, and it could be one of the better features for those planning a cross country. When selected, just enter your route, such as KFLP KSGF. The resultant screen will show current weather at all METAR airports along your route, and of course selecting any airport leads you to the Forecast, NOTAM, Images, Air/Sigmets, Pireps, Winds Aloft, and Historical data associated with that airport. Here's what Near Route displays:
To summarize, I'm very impressed with the quality and usefulness of this app and of its support. I found two bugs, both related to the airport database (KBBG was not recognized as an airport, and Baton Rouge actually appeared to be in South Carolina). Both were fixed within 12 hours of their reporting to the software's author.
Takeoff - Aviation Weather is available for iOS and Android platforms for $5.99. Takeoff HD - Aviation Weather is available for the iPad at $9.99. There is also a 7 day trial version (Takeoff Lite) available.
I installed Takeoff Lite (the trial version) onto my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (GT-P3113) Android tablet and within an hour, I bought the paid version.
When launched, you can have it default to Nearby, Favorites, Nearby Airport (that you select in advance in the preferences section), or Graphics.
Nearby queries all airports with weather reporting within a radius specified in preferences. I specify 60 NM and get graphics from five airports, showing ceiling, visibility, winds, and crosswinds. Under preferences, I tell the app that I like a ceiling of at least 2500', visibility of 5 miles, max wind of 10 knots, and max crosswind of 8 knots. If all five airports are within these parameters, all the icons on the screen are green, otherwise, the almost-out-of-tolerance items are yellow and the out-of-tolerance values are red. Here's an example of the Nearby display:
If I tap or swipe an airport, I can get details on its current weather:
And further swipes show the forecast (using the airport's TAFs or TAFs from the closest airport with TAFs), NOTAMs, Images (Surface Progs, RADAR, Icing, etc.), Air/Sigmets, Pireps, Winds Aloft, and Historical info. Here's the Forecast screen:
I really like this app. It presents all the weather information I need and enables me to quickly decide if I want to fly. If I used my airplane for cross country flying more often, I suspect there would be other apps more suitable for the research that normally goes into a week-long xc. But maybe not. Takeoff actually has direct, push-button access to DUATS, and all graphics available on aviationweather.gov are available here and easily accessed. There is also a menu selection titled Near Route, and it could be one of the better features for those planning a cross country. When selected, just enter your route, such as KFLP KSGF. The resultant screen will show current weather at all METAR airports along your route, and of course selecting any airport leads you to the Forecast, NOTAM, Images, Air/Sigmets, Pireps, Winds Aloft, and Historical data associated with that airport. Here's what Near Route displays:
To summarize, I'm very impressed with the quality and usefulness of this app and of its support. I found two bugs, both related to the airport database (KBBG was not recognized as an airport, and Baton Rouge actually appeared to be in South Carolina). Both were fixed within 12 hours of their reporting to the software's author.
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