Metis weather beacon probe and behind the panel monitor
Go beyond your flight planning by getting instant weather readout in-flight. Metis extends Aithre's oxygen monitoring technology to in-flight atmospheric conditions. Using a single under the wing elegant probe, you get real-time temperature, humidity, and dewpoint readings, enabling you to 'stay on top' of icing and cloud levels relative to your aircraft. Worried about carb ice? You can set warnings for conditions that might cause carb icing and take action before there is an issue.
Metis weather beacon in-flight data output for the pilot
Analogue outputs are available to your EFIS, such as Dynon and the G3X, or any other type of avionics system. Wireless communication to your iOS device and the Aithre Connect App put the same data on your phone, ipad, or watch. When using the Aithre Connect app, you also get real-time indications of relative cloud bases and freezing levels plus a carb ice risk level.
Metis weather beacon data output pilot community
When you have Metis on-board, you are also helping the pilot community fly safer because the temp, dewpoint, and humidity levels you sample are shared anonymously with other Aithre users. Other pilots flying near your route of flight will get access to your automated 'PIREP' to help with decision making in-flight.
In the APC (Aithre Pilot Community) you can see the available PIREPs near you and click to see the detail. This APC works regardless of the Metis install but provides the most comprehensive weather information when installed. You can also provide a manual report on winds, clouds, visibility and report icing to the benefit of the community. These are designed to be quick one tap inputs that can be done in-flight without taking a lot of time, typing, or radio time. As pilots we all know of times when weather is borderline and it always feels good providing safety information to pilots in the area or planning a trip that might benefit them. Now you can easily contribute in this way. Below is a sample of PIREP readout on opening the app.
Why Metis weather beacon installed or APC
The Metis weather beacon was inspired by flying in IMC conditions and a few of the flights through the mountains when we thought the weather was good enough but became hazardous due to icing. Often times when flying in IMC there is a need to know cloud bottoms and tops, or layers in-between when planning or making a determination about whether to go or not. One such case was a controller asking about clouds during an IFR procedure which became distracting. The Metis can gather this information automatically and broadcast the data as a PIREP to the community so the next pilot taking off can have it for planning without the controller needing to take up airtime to collect and broadcast. Another example of needing this type of useful information is during borderline weather conditions when the forecast looks optimal for a window to get through terrain but once in flight conditions deteriorate quicker than anticipated. On a flight from Sun Valley Idaho to Bremerton Washington this spring we had studied the weather and determined a good window to fly out one morning. About an hour into the flight, at about 10K, and cold, the clouds closed in on us in every direction causing a great risk for icing and we had to divert and land. Getting weather information in-flight is challenging and when things change quickly decisions need to be made quickly. Had we had the Metis on-board we would have known by watching the dewpoint and temp trend and seen earlier in our flight (not above terrain) that the conditions we were anticipating were not going hold. We would have avoided a diversion that was not optimal and would have been safer by not going further. Additionally weather PIREPs are useful during borderline conditions and in the backcountry.
Be one of the first Metis users and contributors
For a limited time and at a 30% discount, you can be one of the first installers (experimental) and contributors every time you fly!
The name "Metis" was given to this device because in Greek mythology Metis was a Titan with great wisdom and counsel. So not only are you providing yourself as a pilot the very best weather information in-flight but you are also sharing your wisdom for the benefit of others in your pilot community.
Fly Safer!
