VMC Map
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VMC Tracker Website.
Hi All,
I have been busy. (well occupied ) over my quite time with this little software i have written. (I must admit i stole the idea from the US NOAA weather service) In the US they have a government that cares about aviation and it's pilots and as such provides for free nice weather services. One that i found is a map that displays the USA indicating what areas are VMC/IMC in pretty colours. I thought this was an excellent service and as such written an Australian Version.
As i dont know the logic they used i had to make up my own. I'ts based around 2500Ft from the field altitude So what it does is look in the TAF for every airport in Australia looks to see if there is cloud within 2500ft of the airfield altitude and then assigns a value as to how much cloud is there. This then translates into a different colored dot. It also up's the stakes if there are thunder storms or other such nasty events forcast at the airport
Im sure it is not 100% and im sure my logic needs a bit more input from more experienced pilots. That's what my post is for. Have a peek tell me what you think and let me know what you think should go into my logic. Please be kind.
http://vmctracker.com
Oh you can use the arrows and + - in the top right corner to zoom and pan. and you can turn on place names by clicking hybrid on the top.
Matt.
I have been busy. (well occupied ) over my quite time with this little software i have written. (I must admit i stole the idea from the US NOAA weather service) In the US they have a government that cares about aviation and it's pilots and as such provides for free nice weather services. One that i found is a map that displays the USA indicating what areas are VMC/IMC in pretty colours. I thought this was an excellent service and as such written an Australian Version.
As i dont know the logic they used i had to make up my own. I'ts based around 2500Ft from the field altitude So what it does is look in the TAF for every airport in Australia looks to see if there is cloud within 2500ft of the airfield altitude and then assigns a value as to how much cloud is there. This then translates into a different colored dot. It also up's the stakes if there are thunder storms or other such nasty events forcast at the airport
Im sure it is not 100% and im sure my logic needs a bit more input from more experienced pilots. That's what my post is for. Have a peek tell me what you think and let me know what you think should go into my logic. Please be kind.
http://vmctracker.com
Oh you can use the arrows and + - in the top right corner to zoom and pan. and you can turn on place names by clicking hybrid on the top.
Matt.
Last edited by Matt-YSBK; 17th Feb 2008 at 10:58. Reason: better Name for subject and new URL
Grear idea!
However, while leaning on the safe side may be good, it does seem a little overly cautious at the moment.
The site is currently showing YBTL as Extreme IFR.
Current METAR is:
TTF METAR YBTL 160200Z 03007KT 9999 FEW020 SCT240 OVC300 FEW024TCU 30/23 Q1000
RMK RF00.0/000.2 DIST SH
INTER 0300/0500 3000 SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN015
Based on visual observation I would class the airspace immediately around YBTL at the moment (12:22 local time) as VMC or Marginal VMC at worst.
Dr
PS: Is the 2500' ceiling too cautious?
However, while leaning on the safe side may be good, it does seem a little overly cautious at the moment.
The site is currently showing YBTL as Extreme IFR.
Current METAR is:
TTF METAR YBTL 160200Z 03007KT 9999 FEW020 SCT240 OVC300 FEW024TCU 30/23 Q1000
RMK RF00.0/000.2 DIST SH
INTER 0300/0500 3000 SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN015
Based on visual observation I would class the airspace immediately around YBTL at the moment (12:22 local time) as VMC or Marginal VMC at worst.
Dr
PS: Is the 2500' ceiling too cautious?
good idea but,
Your map is currently showing VMC here at YBCV. It ain't, I promise you.
Good idea though.
gidday Feather#3
185
[METAR SPECI YBCV 160230Z 13008KT 1000 RAIN BKN007 BKN040 OVC130 23/22 Q1007
RMK RF02.8/022.4
TAF TAF YBCV 160022Z 160214 11012KT 9999 LIGHT RAIN BKN016 BKN030 FM08
09010KT 9999 LIGHT DRIZZLE BKN010 BKN030 TEMPO 0214 3000 RAIN BKN010
BKN030 RMK T 24 25 24 23 Q 1007 1005 1006 1008
RMK RF02.8/022.4
TAF TAF YBCV 160022Z 160214 11012KT 9999 LIGHT RAIN BKN016 BKN030 FM08
09010KT 9999 LIGHT DRIZZLE BKN010 BKN030 TEMPO 0214 3000 RAIN BKN010
BKN030 RMK T 24 25 24 23 Q 1007 1005 1006 1008
Good idea though.
gidday Feather#3
185
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ForkTailedDrKiller
Yes i have it purposely set a little harsh at the moment just to keep on the safe side. Any mention of thunder storms or turbulence and it shows extreme. Although i have METARS in my working database i am not looking at that data as yet just the TAF.
I am working on the next version now that will have better explanations and will also display the taf/metar if you click on an airport. I hope also to give some reason when you click on the airport for it's decision as well as a Plain English version of the TAF/METAR. It's more of a proof of concept at the moment.
The TAF if have for YBTL is in my database as
TAF YBTL 152237Z 160024 04012KT 9999 LIGHT SHOWERS OF RAIN FEW012SCT025 INTER 0212 3000 SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN015 TEMPO 1221 2000 HEAVYSHOWERS OF RAIN THUNDERSTORMS WITH RAIN BKN010 FEW020CB INTER 21243000 SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN015 RMK T 28 30 29 28 Q 1000 1001 1000 1001
with an aerodrome altitude of 18ft. One of my rule states that broken cloud and rain within 1500ft of the aerodrome altitude gives extreme IFR. Perhaps this should be more like IFR or even marginal VMC. There are some airports that i would be happy to go into VMC with broken cloud at 1500 but others i would never do. You need to know more about what the terrain is like around the airport and i dont have that data (now if i had a australian terrain database) I often look at the display and say it's to harsh. (especially INTER periods with thunderstorms that also get extreme)
Still Thinking
Matt.
Yes i have it purposely set a little harsh at the moment just to keep on the safe side. Any mention of thunder storms or turbulence and it shows extreme. Although i have METARS in my working database i am not looking at that data as yet just the TAF.
I am working on the next version now that will have better explanations and will also display the taf/metar if you click on an airport. I hope also to give some reason when you click on the airport for it's decision as well as a Plain English version of the TAF/METAR. It's more of a proof of concept at the moment.
The TAF if have for YBTL is in my database as
TAF YBTL 152237Z 160024 04012KT 9999 LIGHT SHOWERS OF RAIN FEW012SCT025 INTER 0212 3000 SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN015 TEMPO 1221 2000 HEAVYSHOWERS OF RAIN THUNDERSTORMS WITH RAIN BKN010 FEW020CB INTER 21243000 SHOWERS OF RAIN BKN015 RMK T 28 30 29 28 Q 1000 1001 1000 1001
with an aerodrome altitude of 18ft. One of my rule states that broken cloud and rain within 1500ft of the aerodrome altitude gives extreme IFR. Perhaps this should be more like IFR or even marginal VMC. There are some airports that i would be happy to go into VMC with broken cloud at 1500 but others i would never do. You need to know more about what the terrain is like around the airport and i dont have that data (now if i had a australian terrain database) I often look at the display and say it's to harsh. (especially INTER periods with thunderstorms that also get extreme)
Still Thinking
Matt.
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185skywagon.
Yes i dont seem to have YBCV in my database for some reason. Thanks for the feedback i will fix it up. On the other hand this is discovered a more serious bug. If i have no information dont say vmc say nothing.
Matt.
Yes i dont seem to have YBCV in my database for some reason. Thanks for the feedback i will fix it up. On the other hand this is discovered a more serious bug. If i have no information dont say vmc say nothing.
Matt.
Matt - OK, I should have picked up the TAF rather than the METAR.
The CBs are a problem in this part of the world. They forcast them all the time but they rarely turn up.
There are no CBs within 100 nm of YBTL at the moment as far as I can tell. That's not to say that one won't turn up tonight - but I think it unlikely.
A VFR pilot would have no trouble getting in and out of YBTL at the moment, except perhaps from the west, which can be a problem - and I can't see too far that way from my present position.
I wonder if the actual weather is a better basis to work on than the forcast weather - given how unreliable the forcasts are.
Dr
The CBs are a problem in this part of the world. They forcast them all the time but they rarely turn up.
There are no CBs within 100 nm of YBTL at the moment as far as I can tell. That's not to say that one won't turn up tonight - but I think it unlikely.
A VFR pilot would have no trouble getting in and out of YBTL at the moment, except perhaps from the west, which can be a problem - and I can't see too far that way from my present position.
I wonder if the actual weather is a better basis to work on than the forcast weather - given how unreliable the forcasts are.
Dr
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FTD.
I agree. My next fix is to use the METAR if we have that. I have noticed as you guys go into the monsoon red dots every day up in the top end. Unfortunately lots of airports dont have metars and if they do many do not mention cloud.
I will see if i can get the METAR part working today some time if i get a break between real work (that is work that makes me money/food/aircraft repayments) which i think will be much better for the top end.
I have also considered using the area forecast for airports that dont have a TAF but this may put accuracy out even more. If it is not reliable then people will get a bad feeling about it and not use it if that happens the whole thing will be a bit of a waste. I am grateful for the feedback it will make a much better site.
I agree. My next fix is to use the METAR if we have that. I have noticed as you guys go into the monsoon red dots every day up in the top end. Unfortunately lots of airports dont have metars and if they do many do not mention cloud.
I will see if i can get the METAR part working today some time if i get a break between real work (that is work that makes me money/food/aircraft repayments) which i think will be much better for the top end.
I have also considered using the area forecast for airports that dont have a TAF but this may put accuracy out even more. If it is not reliable then people will get a bad feeling about it and not use it if that happens the whole thing will be a bit of a waste. I am grateful for the feedback it will make a much better site.
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For the people that are interested here is a version that runs of the METAR
http://staff.spectrum.com.au/air/vmc.php/metar
Note that if there is no cloud on the METAR for that airport it will say VMC at the moment which is oviously wrong. But you get the idea.
http://staff.spectrum.com.au/air/vmc.php/metar
Note that if there is no cloud on the METAR for that airport it will say VMC at the moment which is oviously wrong. But you get the idea.
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Matt, you've put some work into your chart. I flew VFR in the USA for a number of years. Looked at that VFR chart once and never looked at it again. The US chart served a purpose for some, but for me it provided a large overview, but nothing more, and actually a lot, lot less information than a regular surface chart. I wanted to know what to expect rather than what the present weather was at the time. So, for me, I thought the US chart was a waste of NOAA resources, but figured it was compiled for some organization other than pilots and was provided to pilots as an offshoot.
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Man that would have been interesting to see yesterday around the Great divide in SEQ
We eventually found a VMV path through from Clifton to Gatton, bit like PNG flying according to one of the group who did a lot of it.....and it was down to the minimums at times!
Keep working on that Matt.
We eventually found a VMV path through from Clifton to Gatton, bit like PNG flying according to one of the group who did a lot of it.....and it was down to the minimums at times!
Keep working on that Matt.
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Matt-YSBK
Nice work - perhaps you could include the ctitical locations that appear in the Area briefings, ie. Mt Vic, Bowral etc in area 20,21. It is typically cloud base away from the destinations that limit VFR ops
Nice work - perhaps you could include the ctitical locations that appear in the Area briefings, ie. Mt Vic, Bowral etc in area 20,21. It is typically cloud base away from the destinations that limit VFR ops
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Matt,
You might be able to get some ideas from how PocketFMS does this stuff (free 30 day trial www.pocketfms.com).
It uses METAR for 2 hours after issue and then TAF until the end of the validity period. Has time change buttons so you can move forward and back in time to see the effect of any FM's in the forecast. Color coding of the circles around airports are chosen by the user to reflect their personal minima based on combinations of cloud ceiling and vis.
Ian
You might be able to get some ideas from how PocketFMS does this stuff (free 30 day trial www.pocketfms.com).
It uses METAR for 2 hours after issue and then TAF until the end of the validity period. Has time change buttons so you can move forward and back in time to see the effect of any FM's in the forecast. Color coding of the circles around airports are chosen by the user to reflect their personal minima based on combinations of cloud ceiling and vis.
Ian
The idea is BRILLIANT!
The current implementation does seem overcautious, apparently its "IFR" conditions right here, right now, when its actually sky clear.
Perhaps this is a limitation of the TAF rather than your program?
The current implementation does seem overcautious, apparently its "IFR" conditions right here, right now, when its actually sky clear.
Perhaps this is a limitation of the TAF rather than your program?
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VMV
Visual Meteoroligical Vegetation
Actually its a keyboard problem, some fool keeps moving the keys around on me
I reckon you know the path through the range, and it was 500 and even 1000' AGL at times, but just straight out of the Chimbu Chuckles Book of mountain flying! Speed control, eyes in the back of the head, and good navigation skills. OK and a lot of local knowlege too!
J
Visual Meteoroligical Vegetation
Actually its a keyboard problem, some fool keeps moving the keys around on me
I reckon you know the path through the range, and it was 500 and even 1000' AGL at times, but just straight out of the Chimbu Chuckles Book of mountain flying! Speed control, eyes in the back of the head, and good navigation skills. OK and a lot of local knowlege too!
J
Matt, great idea, don't forget NZ when you get it finalised!
A comment though on colour. Some of us are a little colour-blind (obviously not enough to affect our flying!) and your colour dots are a little remniscent of those damned Ishihara number books... perhaps a small symbol included in the dot and/or a more definate colour would be useful? Something such as a small tick/dash/cross/question/screech or similar within the colour dot?
Other than that it's good to see something like this, an enhancement could be to decode the weather into plain english, with local time, after clicking on an aerodrome
Just returned from another forum, funny how great minds think alike - you may be interested in:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=308338
for a different but similar approach
Cheers, FP.
A comment though on colour. Some of us are a little colour-blind (obviously not enough to affect our flying!) and your colour dots are a little remniscent of those damned Ishihara number books... perhaps a small symbol included in the dot and/or a more definate colour would be useful? Something such as a small tick/dash/cross/question/screech or similar within the colour dot?
Other than that it's good to see something like this, an enhancement could be to decode the weather into plain english, with local time, after clicking on an aerodrome
Just returned from another forum, funny how great minds think alike - you may be interested in:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=308338
for a different but similar approach
Cheers, FP.
Last edited by First_Principal; 16th Jan 2008 at 08:31.
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FP I will look at getting NZ data. You dont know where i can find the NZ TAF and METAR data on a web site do you ?
Sorry about the colours im not real artistic. I will try to make them a little better in the next version. If you switch to HYBRID mode in the top right hand corner it gives you a fair bit more contrast which makes it look a lot better.
Matt.
Sorry about the colours im not real artistic. I will try to make them a little better in the next version. If you switch to HYBRID mode in the top right hand corner it gives you a fair bit more contrast which makes it look a lot better.
Matt.