Who is using an app lik UAV forecast to check the wind?
It seems to me that a lot of drone pilots are not aware that the windspeed is increasing with altitude.
But not only the windspeed, also the direction of the wind is changing with the altitiude.

Me. Using UAV Forecast and my brain when on the spot. :-)

I do after take off by flying into the wind at 100' AGL then back over head to gauge the impact on the flight. If the speed is half what it should be I don't go higher than 250' up and maintain clear VLOS throughout the whole flight. Wind speed and direction can change in seconds.

I'm pretty good at feeling the wind blowing and seeing the trees moving. But I've been flying Cessnas for years.

I always check the local weather forecast via my PC. Besides that, I use my experience, looking at the sky, on flags and on trees.

All the time

When flying above 400', I always check two things.... If NOTAM for my flight is published and active and wind conditions out there.

i retrieve weather/wind infos from nearby airports reading the most actual METAR / TAF.

Having flown hang gliders, I’m pretty aware of wind but I do have UAV Forecast to check the forecast as well.

No, putting a finger in the air and looking at the trees. I have never been surprised even though I live somewhere where it's blowing a lot.

Regards Leif.

I alway try to start against the wind while gaining height to see what impact it has.
I do also check UAV Forecast a day/a couple of hours before flight.

I use UAV as well but also have my own weather station that I check.

I try to look at UAV every time I take off. Here is what is showing this minute.


As you can see they recommend not flying. I can tell the gust here are a little higher then what they say.  UAV has told me it was safe to fly when I can see the windsock straight out. So it is always best to decide for yourself if it is safe to fly or not.

First thing I do before breakfast! Initially by how much the trees outside the window a moving about - frequency and power, also look up to the clouds and see if the direction of travel is consistent.  Then if it looks like a promising 'flight day' I'll check on various apps both general weather forecast and more specific local wind estimates. Forecasts are important as by the time I maybe on site ready to fly the situation can be quite different - particularly around the equinoxes. Having a bit of a sailing background these checks are second nature.

always check before flight! those few seconds can save your drone.
just an old habbit from flying other RC

Checking the UAV app is the first thing I do in my pre-flight. If it's too windy I'm done. Windy.com has some nice forecasting tools also.

xfirf_ Posted at 2018-2-25 09:19
Me. Using UAV Forecast and my brain when on the spot. :-)

Same here.

Every Flight starting the day before.  

it is a must for me

Part of my pre-flight check list actually.

I always check the local forecast. Anything over 20 mph I don’t fly.

I'm with Landbo. I pretty much check the trees and/or flags and just go by that.

does UAV Forecast have app for apple? I don't have my mini4 to check its coming via ups

drone_user Posted at 2018-2-25 21:31
does UAV Forecast have app for apple? I don't have my mini4 to check its coming via ups

here we go: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uav-forecast/id1050023752?mt=8

cool thanks!

I will see outside which quite obvious on my side

Check it everytime...at ground and 300 ft level.

I bought an anemometer on Amazon that measures wind speed in MPH and temperature in Fahrenheit (I'm in the US).

MFPullen Posted at 2018-2-26 06:26
Check it everytime...at ground and 300 ft level.

Just out of curiosity how do you check the wind at 300 ft level? Do you use an app?

fansf77370fb Posted at 2018-2-25 20:18
I always check the local forecast. Anything over 20 mph I don’t fly.

I thought the Mavic Pro handles wind better than the Phantom 4?

I use the UAV Forecast app and look at the tall trees. I also go to the website of the local news station to see if their weather section details match up. Anytime the wind is over 18 mph at 200 ft or higher i don't fly. I rarely fly higher than 200 ft to keep LOS

I do, I usually use windfineder to plan my flights...wasn't aware uav forecast displays also the altitude wind speed so I'll definitely start using that one

HI Blizzard, wasn't aware of this APP. Already downloaded, seems great. Will test it next flight. Thanks for sharing.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-26 06:40
Just out of curiosity how do you check the wind at 300 ft level? Do you use an app?

You can use the app UAV Forecast - it gives wind profile from ground to 5000ft

Wyke Posted at 2018-2-26 07:50
You can use the app UAV Forecast - it gives wind profile from ground to 5000ft

Is it fairly accurate?

I always check the wind before flying. I fly commercially in the North East and the weather changes rapidly. I have had to ground flights with clients the morning of because of the crazy New England weather. I didn't know about UAV Forecast, I had been using Hover. I am totally going to try that though! It looks really useful.

I think that quite some fly aways would be prevented if pilots would check better the wind in altitude.
Even with moderate wind on the surface, the force of the wind in altitude can be quite strong.

I also try to fly away against the wind, so, when the drone has to return, he will have tailwind.
UAV forecast is therefore a very good app, but I'm sure there are others. (like the one of PolarPro)

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-26 07:52
Is it fairly accurate?

It gets its info from Dark Sky, and uses standard output from most forecast models, apparently

When the UAV app says not to fly do you guys not fly or still take the risk?

What's the limit of flying and noyt flying?

Wyke Posted at 2018-2-26 08:52
It gets its info from Dark Sky, and uses standard output from most forecast models, apparently

That sounds good I'm going to try it thanks!