Aviation weather checks can’t get any closer than the Apple Watch on your wrist
I am embarrassed to say this, but I’ve had an Apple Watch for years and I use it to, well, tell time. I look at it when I want to know what time it is. Well, also to get a notification of a text that I should read on my phone. I just learned that there are a handful of aviation apps compatible with the Apple Watch, many of them related to aviation weather. I think that’s the coolest thing!
My watch is an early version, but I understand they are now making a 5th generation model that does quite a bit more. For example, it has a much faster processor, an always-on screen, an internal GPS, and optional LTE cellular data so you don’t have to take your phone with you everywhere you go to use the watch.
In addition to all that fancy stuff, many aviation developers have now included Apple Watch Apps, along with their primary iPad/iPhone App. So now we get to access aviation data right on our wrist! There are 2 ways to install these apps on your phone (I’m including these brief instructions because I had no clue how to get an app for my watch…big surprise, eh?)
- Download an app that supports Apple Watch features to your iPhone. Open the Apple Watch app on your phone and select the “My Watch” button at the bottom of the screen to choose the apps that you want to install on your watch.
OR
- Go straight to the app store on your watch and search for the app name that you are looking for. Install it directly from the app store to your watch.
The following watch apps might be worth considering, based on your aviation needs:
- Altimeter +
Display an altimeter on your watch.
- Altitude Alert
Receive haptic alerts directly on your watch when you deviate from pre-selected altitudes.
- Aerovie, electronic flight bag
See weather radar, flight timers, digital checklists, pilot health monitoring, nearby airport information and widgets of nearby METARS and TAFS.
- Bad Elf GPS Utility
Monitor and control your Bad Elf GPS accessory directly from your Apple Watch. It includes a moving map view and navigation information.
- MiraCheck Copilot
Receive smart checklist functionality that you control with your voice. The companion watch app provides an alternate means to advance the checklist from your wrist.
- MyRadar
View detailed weather radar imagery on your wrist, along with current weather conditions and a 5 day forecast.
- NRST
Continuously displays the direction and distance to nearby airports, along with a navigation instrument to guide you to the airport you select. It even includes descent planning data based on your current groundspeed.
- Sporty’s E6B
Compute aviation conversions, including temperature, pressure, fuel, distance and time.
- Station Weather Pro
Have quick access to METARs, TAFs, NOTAMs, and weather charts. The watch app provides the same visuals on your watch, and can be customized to specific airports.
- Zulu Time
This app provides local and zulu times at a glance, including other time zones as necessary.
They sure are making it easy for us to check aviation weather and other pertinent aviation data just by glancing at our watch. It is comforting to know that even if the entire aircraft goes dark, I can still find the nearest airport and know what my altitude is, among other things! Check out these watch apps at your convenience, you might be pleasantly surprised!
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