Which is the Best Drone App for Checking Wind Speed and Direction?

Our caller for today, Ron is in a bit of a quandary. Ron regularly flies in windy locations, and he is looking for an accurate drone app or tool to measure wind speed and direction. As we have discussed on this show before, learning about wind and measuring wind speed and direction is a must for a safe drone flight.

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Timestamps
03:38 - Our sponsor for today is the Drone U Fly-In
10:00 - Today’s question is about drone apps for checking wind speed and direction
11:50 - How accurate are drone apps?
12:19 - Can you trust information from drone apps? Can you blame the app if you get erroneous information and something goes wrong?
14:37 - Which is the best device for measuring wind speed and wind direction? What does it cost?
15:30 - Paul cites a personal anecdote which shows the importance of understanding on-site conditions
20:07 - Can you use your drone to gauge wind speed?
21:10 - How flying in Atti mode can help you conduct safe operations

[MarkBenderAerials]

Paul your point about ON SITE evaluation as an important final criteria in addition to a good pre flight in regards to metro conditions is right on! But I have to tell you, I learned about an important device for the first time when I landed in Santa Fe Airport in 1988, yeah way back in the days of the Wild West. (This was an Angel Flight from SMO for med transport) I walked over to the FSS, the Flight Service Station that was there to talk to a briefer, and in front of the building on the side of the walkway was this amazing device! It was a teepee like structure made out of just three, tree branches. From this there was hanging a rope cord which suspended a small rock. On the side of this device was a sign with its description and instructions on its use. I will try and remember all the steps- #1 If rock is swaying it is windy. #2 If rock is wet it is raining #3 If rock has snow on it, it is snowing. #4 If rock is sunlit and dry it is a nice day This was called, according to the sign, a Native American WEATHER STATION! I hope this brings a giggle to everyone. If the FAA can make this point about Screw the forecast, and look at the actual conditions RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR WEATHER OFFICE, for heaven's sake be prepared to adjust accordingly, and we as DSPs can of course learn from this. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

[RayOpp]

simple question, simple answer NOAA and also possible local airport reports. His answer was more a rant about responsibility of operator, which most don't have the equipment to know the wind speeds at higher altitudes.

[sfields]

What about UAV forecast app... is that information any good? I'm a total newbie. Love all y'alls great iformation.

[bobbrown]

How to tell wind? Aside from the obvious, if it seems good to fly, stick the drone in the air at altitude, flick drone into Atti and see where and how fast it goes. That's the weather at YOUR location at the time you're flying.

[PJCookAC-]

Lived in ABQ for 3yrs as the Program Manager of the Helicopter Aerial Gunner School at Kirtland. WOW...a simple drive to the site would have solved your issue Paul. Never trust anything BUT your drone at altitude for wind. Lesson learned indeed!

[paulhendershott]

FlightPlanGo is a great APP similar to Foreflight and has wind data and a whole lot more for Part 107 and manned aircraft pilots as well

[wingman]

AeroWeather. It’s an app that lets you choose several airport and weather stations. All are on screen and can be compared

[wizbang]

Thanks for another great show and a perfect information I need to have a great weekend

[Siamect]

Apps and noaa can only give you an overview of the weather situation. That you have to go to the site should be obvious to anyone... But what is missing in this discussion is that you really need to know one or two things about meteorology. Read some books! Then go out and practice. Spend a few years vacations sailing a sailing boat or do some wind- or kite-surfing! Get a glider certificate and spend 5-10 years flying gliders. That's how you get a feeling for the weather.
A camera drone in atti mode as an anemometer??? It's obvious you are already flying it when you find out the wind is too strong. Get a couple of reasonably powerful fpv freestyle or racing drones and fly around before you send up you DJI.

[PJCookAC-]

GREAT scene in Office Space...My first BLUE RAY purchase as it is a timeless classic..Watch it!

[robertkoontz]

At the end when he says he'll burn the place down. lol So the Ladee, said it wasn't windy. trust but verify.
UAV forecast.

[tacticalgaming]

First timer to your podcast. Is this how you show your gratitude to business opportunities given to you? 15:40? You don't care about the studio? Tell you what, I could be wrong but you come across as cocky. I suspect this is NOT the first time you may have heard this. Business Professionalism starts by the way we speak and promote ourselves in our
business. Take it or leave it this is constructive criticism.

[miker]

Gave up after 15 minutes of yada yada and nothing useful on the topic.

[cuuppaajoe]

I love that this video takes 25 minutes to answer. Haha but honestly I need your videos so thank you!!

[SkyFireDrone]

My favorite line: “So we hear you’ve been missing a lot of work lately.” “Well I wouldn’t say I’ve been MISSING it” 😆

[KamauNwabudike]

Dear lord. The question was about the best weather app for wind speed and such, and we get 22 minutes out of 25 of everything but. Not to mention, how do you take that question, and turn it into a philosophical discussion? 👎👎

[sharksfan]

So to be clear, the best app is “Noapp” or did I hear “Noeapp” or could it be “NOAApp” ... ??? LOL 😂 🤣😂😂🤣. Great podcast. thx.

[HoundDogMech]

It's a lot more serious when the weather isn't as forecast and your A$$ is in the left seat not just playing with TOYS. I'l bet your DRONE never collected a 1/2 inch of ice when weather was reported as tops 6 thousand negative icing.

[HoundDogMech]

You should have a Commercial Licence and a couple of hindered of hours as PIC to fly commercially (make money) like real Pilots.

[Riiiizla]

Are you two husband &...husband/wife (sorry if i offend but dont know the terminology).. but daaam, the title says which is the best app for windspeed...
To save others the time this is basically a buisness promotion video...i got my answers reading the comments, didnt (&couldnt) listen to half hour of a hussy&wife promoting their company and their answer to which app is...wait for on the ground🤣🤣🤣 seriously/clickbait title, they dont tell you about any apps so if like me your a beginner & wanted to know about how drone companies register say, a level 3 wind?.. how strong is this etc (yes novice questions i know) 1st time i've ever seen these two but enough to know i won't be subscribing sorry lads.

Thanks to the subscribers & commentors tho who pointed me in the right direction ✌🏾