Top Pilot Apps

The best aviation weather apps

METAR, TAF, radar and briefing apps, judged on how fast they get you to a go/no-go decision.

  2. DarkSky

    Download DarkSky on the App Store
    DarkSky screenshot 1
    DarkSky screenshot 2

    Overview

    Dark Sky made its name with minute-by-minute rain forecasts for your exact location, together with clean radar maps and severe weather alerts. It is a general weather app, not an aviation one.

    Pricing

    App
    $3.99

    Advantages and extra features

    • Minute-by-minute precipitation forecast for your location
    • Clear radar maps
    • Severe weather alerts

    Disadvantages

    • No longer listed on the App Store
    • No METAR or TAF data

  3. Aviation Weather Route Planner – METAR, NOTAM

    Download Aviation Weather Route Planner – METAR, NOTAM on the App Store
    Aviation Weather Route Planner – METAR, NOTAM screenshot 1
    Aviation Weather Route Planner – METAR, NOTAM screenshot 2

    Overview

    A weather and briefing app built around your route. It shows METAR, TAF and NOTAM data for airports worldwide, and a route can be saved with its data for use offline.

    Pricing

    Basic
    Free
    In-app purchase
    $9.99

    Advantages and extra features

    • METAR, TAF and NOTAM in one place
    • Routes and their data can be stored for offline use
    • Low one-off price for the full version

    Disadvantages

    • Full features need the in-app purchase

  4. Windy

    Download Windy on the App Store
    Windy screenshot 1
    Windy screenshot 2

    Overview

    Windy is a wind and weather forecast app made for wind sports, with a wind map, gust and direction forecasts and wind alerts. It gives a clear visual picture of the wind over an area, which helps with flight planning too.

    Pricing

    Download
    Free
    Windy Pro
    $9.99

    Advantages and extra features

    • Wind map with gust and direction forecasts
    • Wind alerts by push notification
    • Free base app

    Disadvantages

    • Made for wind sports, with no aviation-specific products

  5. NOAA Aviation Live Sky Weather

    Download NOAA Aviation Live Sky Weather on the App Store
    NOAA Aviation Live Sky Weather screenshot 1
    NOAA Aviation Live Sky Weather screenshot 2

    Overview

    Shows current airport weather from NOAA and other official sources for more than 100,000 stations worldwide. Stations can be found by name, by region or on the map and saved as favourites, and the last observation stays available offline.

    Pricing

    Download
    Free

    Advantages and extra features

    • More than 100,000 weather stations worldwide
    • Favourites for the airports you use most
    • Last observation remains available offline
    • Free

    Disadvantages

    • Station-by-station lookup, with no route briefing