Flight Weather System Overview

The platform evaluates weather conditions across an entire proposed flight route — not just at the departure and destination facilities. It uses FAA facility data, Aviation Weather Center reporting stations, METARs, SPECIAL observations (SPECI), and TAF forecasts to provide route-based operational awareness.

FAA Facility Data AWC Reporting Stations METAR / SPECI TAF Forecasts Route-Based Analysis

Route Analysis Process

Step	Function
Route Generation	The route is divided into evaluation points approximately every 20 miles.
Station Search	Nearby reporting stations are identified for each route point.
Weather Analysis	Up to 4 nearby stations are evaluated per route point.
Hazard Detection	METAR/SPECI reports are analyzed for operational hazards.
Route Scoring	The most limiting weather condition determines route status.

Ceiling & Operational Status Logic

The final route status reflects the most operationally limiting condition identified anywhere along the route.

✅ GO

Ceiling greater than or equal to 3,000 ft AGL
Visibility greater than or equal to 5 SM
No significant operational hazards detected

⚠️ CAUTION

Ceiling between 1,000–2,999 ft AGL
Visibility between 3–4.99 SM
Fog risk or marginal weather conditions detected
Elevated winds or developing thunderstorms
Missing, stale, or limited weather data

🚨 NO-GO

Ceiling below 1,000 ft AGL
Visibility below 3 SM
Thunderstorms detected
LLWS detected
Freezing precipitation detected
Reported fog affecting visibility
Sustained winds greater than 45 kt
Wind gust spread greater than 15 kt

The lowest qualifying ceiling layer is always used. Example: BKN006 OVC015 is treated as a 600 ft ceiling.

Reports containing only CLR, SKC, FEW, or SCT layers are treated as having no ceiling restriction for ceiling-based logic.

The overall route status reflects the most operationally limiting condition identified anywhere along the route.

Weather Hazards Evaluated

Hazard Type	Evaluated
Low Visibility	✅
Low Ceilings	✅
Fog / Fog Risk	✅
Thunderstorms	✅
LLWS	✅
Freezing Precipitation	✅
Sustained Winds / Gust Spread	✅
Temperature / Dew Point Spread	✅

Station Selection Logic

For each route point, the system:

Searches nearby reporting stations
Prioritizes the closest valid weather stations
Selects the most operationally limiting conditions
Supports facility-specific priority weather stations for heliports and hospital pads

If no nearby reporting station is available, the search radius automatically expands.

Mapping & Visualization

The platform generates an interactive route map displaying:

Route segments
Weather evaluation points
Nearby reporting stations
Radar overlays
Route status color coding
METAR, SPECI, and TAF data

Intended Use

This platform is designed as a flight weather awareness and operational decision-support tool. It is not intended to replace:

Pilot judgment
FAA-approved weather sources
Operational control procedures
Company SOPs

Operational Responsibility

All operational decisions remain the responsibility of the flight crew and organization.