MMM-aviationwx (Aviation weather)

stuloh

This module displays METAR data (weather reporting information normally used for aviation purposes) and, where available, FAA delay data for airports in the continental United States.

This is my first MM module (and first GitHub repo for that matter), so feedback and improvements are welcome!

daffythug

Hello, there is a commit on github to add worldwide support. Can you look at it? I couldnt make it work unfortunately.

stuloh

Ah yes - I’ll take a look at it - a bit time strapped at the moment, but will get around to it eventually.

cohron

Great start, already using it. I assume you are a fellow pilot.

320fan

Hi all,

I would like to push development of this module. Now, it can track only US airports, but the best way to allow worldwide aviation weather (METAR & TAF) monitoring. For that, I would like to propose a https://avwx.rest service. In addition to “raw” METAR&TAF data (https://avwx.rest/api/metar/KJFK for example) with JSON format, you can parse any weather data via AVWX engine (example: https://avwx.rest/api/parse/metar?report=KJFK 012251Z 04012KT 10SM OVC011 16/13 A3014&options=info,translate)

Is anyone able to help with this modification? I’m not an expert in java (but I can help with decoding of TAF&METAR data for sure ;) But, however, I can help with test for that script modification.

Mykle1

@320fan

Have you tried to contact the author?

320fan

@Mykle1 said in MMM-aviationwx (Aviation weather):

@320fan

Have you tried to contact the author?

Sure. He told me that for this moment he doesn’t have time for that. So, I would like to find a people, who interested in that development.

Mykle1

@320fan

Oh, I see. I will take a look at the data. You are interested in both METAR and TAF data? Can you give me a url to the data that you do want?

320fan

@Mykle1 said in MMM-aviationwx (Aviation weather):

@320fan

Oh, I see. I will take a look at the data. You are interested in both METAR and TAF data? Can you give me a url to the data that you do want?

Firstly, thanks for your help. As I told before, I’m not a expert in Java.
Yea, I would like to get both METAR/TAF data. And I would like to keep a initial MMM-aviationwx layout for METAR (Wind, Visibility, clouds, temperature and runaway codition). For the TAF reports - I just want to see all available time periods with data above.

If I got you correctly, as initial reference you can take next data (it’s my base airport):
https://avwx.rest/api/taf/uudd
https://avwx.rest/api/metar/uudd

P.S. If I go deeply into the detail - my company use AIMS Crew Management System, for which I have iPad iAIMS application, which creates events in my calendar like “3355 DME GYD”. Number - it’s a flight number and DME/GYD - IATA departure and arrival airports. As a best solution I would like to see both METAR/TAF reports for the next upcoming flight in the calendar. For the calendar - I have set up sync of my MagicMirror with iCloud based calendar via vdirsyncer:

               {
                        module: "calendar",
                        header: "Main calendars",
                        position: "bottom_left",
                        config: {
                                colored: true,   // Activate coloring
                                fetchInterval: 100000, // ~2 mins
                                timeFormat: "relative",
                                calendars: [
......
                                        {
                                                symbol: 'plane',
                                                maximumEntries: 5,
                                                maximumNumberOfDays: 31,
                                                color: '#16416B',
                                                url: 'http://localhost:8080/modules/calendars/my_iCloud_ID_for_calendar.ics',
                                        },

Mykle1

@320fan

In its simplest form, the data from the TAF url
https://avwx.rest/api/taf/uudd

It appears somewhat incomplete, as some of the elements have no data within them. Also, the data for TAF does not include flight information that I can see. I can take a look at the METAR data later today if you like

Mykle1

@320fan said in MMM-aviationwx (Aviation weather):

https://avwx.rest/api/metar/uudd

Data before being displayed by MM

320fan

@Mykle1 Yea, I have seen these data for both METAR/TAF: it’s a pure JSON which may be (I hope) easily adopted for that module. If you may adopt initial module with a new data source, it will be very nice.

For the empty fields, which contains no data logic is very simple: no observation/forecast=no data in the fields.
For the TAF report it seems that you must follow all elements of the “Forecast” array and display it like:
“Start-Time”/“End-Time”, “Type” (in case of BECMG or TEMPO);
“Wind-Direction”, “Wind-Gust”, “Wind-Shear”,“Wind-Speed” - if they are presented;
“Visibility”;
“Cloud-List”;
and last but do not least:
“Icing-List”;
“Other-List”;
“Probability”.
Or you just can follow each “Raw-Line” element of “Forecast” array (this is ok for me, but I’m not sure about all others person, who would like to use this module).

Mykle1

@320fan said in MMM-aviationwx (Aviation weather):

it’s a pure JSON which may be (I hope) easily adopted for that module.

JSON data, for me, is most easily used. :-)

If you may adopt initial module with a new data source, it will be very nice.

I usually don’t take someone else’s module and modify it, preferring to create something of my own. Especially, as in this case, where the author has specific license requirements regarding the use of their code

Or you just can follow each “Raw-Line” element of “Forecast” array (this is ok for me, but I’m not sure about all others person, who would like to use this module).

Oh, I don’t think that is a problem. I don’t know any other pilots that have been asking for this type of module.

Question: Do you prefer the data to be displayed one object at a time, rotating through each? Or do you prefer all the objects displayed simultaneously (static)?

320fan

@Mykle1 I think that the best way to show all objects simultaneously. But that will be good only if all information can be fitted in the one screen.

320fan

0_1511029517325_example from MMM-aviationwx.png

So, I tried to make a “tech spec” for a new module. It’s very briefly and dirty, but we can start with that.

displaying of the METAR:

Symbol for the “Flight-Rules”: VFR/IFR/etc. You can take samples from MMM-aviationwx.css file of the MMM-aviationwx module.
IATA/ICAO Airport code. IATA - three symbols “Station”, ICAO - four. Best way to make that configurable (to show IATA/ICAO/Both). I think that the best way to put this conversion table inside new module.
Time of METAR observation. Be carefull, “Time” field is in Zulu time (GMT+0). Need to be cofigurable: to keep initial (Zulu time) or convert that to the local time based on timezone.

For the datafields below I propose to make a possibility to see a “brief format” or “full data” . It must be done via config.

For a brief format:
4.1) “Wind-Direction”,“Wind-Gust”,“Wind-Speed”,“Wind-Variable-Dir”: Best way to show that like “Wind-Direction”/“Wind-Speed"G"Wind-Gust” “Wind-Variable-Dir"V"Wind-Variable-Dir”…
Display of “Units”/“Wind-Speed” in current case is mandatory due to different units in different countries.
4.2) “Visibility” (with “Units”/“Visibility”)
4.3) “Cloud-List”: display all (or just first? make configurable?) layer of clouds. You can keep that “as is”, for example BKN030 means BroKeN clouds at 3000 ft.
4.4) “Temperature”/“Dewpoint” (with “Units”/“Temperature”)
4.5) “Altimeter” (with “Units”/“Altimeter”). Make that field configurable (show/do not show).
4.6) “Remarks”. Make that field configurable (show/do not show).

For a full data format - it must be done using “Raw-Report” fiels. In that case you just need to clean up ICAO 4 letter code and Time from “Raw-Report” and display the rest part of this field.

displaying of the TAF:

Showing of TAF must be configurable (show/do not show).
I propose to display TAF one line below METAR, without repeating of “Flight-Rules” and “Station”.

And here we can make a “brief format” or “full data” like it was above.

For a brief format:
3.1) Each time group of “Forecast” array must be displayed in the new string (tbd).
3.2) “Start-Time”/“End-Time”, “Type” (in case of BECMG or TEMPO);
3.3) “Wind-Direction”, “Wind-Gust”, “Wind-Shear”,“Wind-Speed”, so like it was above for METAR.
3.4) “Visibility” the same
3.5) “Cloud-List” the same
3.6) “Icing-List”,“Turb-List”, “Other-List”;
3.7) “Probability”

For a full data format - it must be done using “Raw-Report” field same as above.

320fan

+some ideas regarding layout may be taken here (this is my lovely AeroWeather app for iPad).

Mykle1

@320fan

Whoa!

You’re not asking for much. :-)

Let me be as clear as possible here. This is my hobby. I do this for the fun of it. I will see what I can do, as time allows. I make no promises, meaning it may never get done. If it gets done, it may not be to the small amount of specifics you outlined above.

320fan

@Mykle1 hi. Yea, I’m fully understand that. And same for me - it’s just a hobby. However, some posts above I’ve just shared my ideas/vision of this plugin (nothing personal ;). In any case, thanks for your support in advance. I’m especially push this topic to find a persons, who will be interested in that too.

stephenmelody

I’m interested!! I know what great work you do too @mykle1

I’m a private pilot so already have this module on my screen but I fly transatlantic quite often so seeing UK airports would also be helpful!

Cheers,

Steve.

Mykle1

@stephenmelody said in MMM-aviationwx (Aviation weather):

I’m interested!! I know what great work you do too @mykle1

Oh, you just had to get involved, Stephen? :-)
You know, there’s football on right now? :-)

Here’s a little something to wet your whistle. “Whet” your whistle is incorrect. Evidently, you can “whet your appetite” but not your whistle. :-)

From left to right:

Flight rules
ICAO
Wind Direction/Wind Speed/units
Cloud List (first element)
Temperature/Units/Dewpoint
Altimeter/Units

Under that

Remarks