Professional runway safety assessment for pilots and flight operations
A product of OpenTurf.org - Copyright © awade12
RunwayGuard transforms complex weather data into clear runway risk assessments. Used by flight schools, charter operators, and professional pilots for enhanced safety decision-making.
Key Features:
- Real-time weather analysis from multiple sources (METAR, TAF, NOTAMs, PIREPs)
- Aircraft-specific performance calculations (C172 to Citation jets)
- Experience-based risk thresholds (student to ATP)
- Monte Carlo simulation for confidence intervals
- Plain English summaries with actionable recommendations
# Setup
git clone https://github.com/andrewwade/runwayguard.git
cd runwayguard
pip install -r requirements.txt
cp .env.example .env # Add your API keys
# Run
uvicorn main:app --reload
# Test
curl -X POST "http://localhost:8000/v1/brief" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"icao": "KDFW", "aircraft_type": "c172", "pilot_experience": "commercial"}'- Atmospheric modeling - thermal gradients, stability indices, temperature inversions
- Precipitation analysis - 12 types with intensity and contamination effects
- Wind analysis - crosswind, gusts, shear detection
- Visibility assessment - fog, haze, precipitation impacts
- Runway adequacy - length vs aircraft requirements with contamination factors
- Density altitude effects - temperature and pressure altitude corrections
- Weight considerations - performance degradation modeling
- Seasonal adjustments - time-based atmospheric effects
| Level | Score | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 LOW | 0-25 | GO | Excellent conditions |
| 🟡 MODERATE | 26-50 | CAUTION | Manageable challenges |
| 🟠 HIGH | 51-75 | CAUTION | Significant challenges |
| 🔴 EXTREME | 76-100 | NO-GO | Dangerous conditions |
Aircraft Types:
c172- Cessna 172 (2000ft runway requirement)pa34- Piper Seneca (2500ft runway requirement)tbm- TBM Series (3000ft runway requirement)citation- Citation Jets (3500ft runway requirement)
Experience Levels:
student- Conservative thresholds (0.8x)private- Standard thresholds (1.0x)commercial- Standard thresholds (1.0x)atp- Aggressive thresholds (1.2x)
{
"runway_risk_index": 32,
"risk_category": "MODERATE",
"status": "CAUTION",
"plain_summary": "Moderate crosswind conditions with good visibility. Runway performance adequate with 500ft margin.",
"weather_summary": {
"wind": "240° at 12kt, gusting 18kt",
"visibility": "10+ miles",
"ceiling": "Few clouds at 3000ft"
},
"risk_factors": {
"crosswind_component": 8,
"runway_performance": 15,
"atmospheric_conditions": 9
},
"recommendations": [
"Monitor wind conditions - gusts approaching limits",
"Consider runway 24L for better wind alignment"
]
}Get briefings via text message:
Text: KDFW C172 PRIVATE
Reply: KDFW RWY18R: GO
RRI: 25/100 (LOW)
Wind: 180°@8kt, X: +8kt
RunwayGuard.com
Supported formats:
- Aircraft:
C172,TWIN,TURBO,JET - Experience:
STUDENT,PRIVATE,COMMERCIAL,ATP
{
"icao": "KDFW",
"aircraft_type": "c172",
"pilot_experience": "commercial"
}Complete API documentation and examples.
Rate limits:
- Brief endpoint: 20 requests/minute
- Help endpoint: 60 requests/minute
Architecture:
- Python 3.8+ with FastAPI
- Async processing for concurrent weather data retrieval
- Redis caching for performance
- Comprehensive input validation
Data Sources:
- METAR (hourly observations)
- TAF (terminal forecasts)
- NOTAMs (real-time notices)
- PIREPs (pilot reports)
- SIGMETs/AIRMETs (significant weather)
Performance:
- Response time: <500ms average
- Coverage: 5,000+ airports worldwide
- Uptime target: 99.9%
# Development setup
git clone https://github.com/andrewwade/runwayguard.git
cd runwayguard
pip install -r requirements.txt
pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
# Run tests
pytest tests/
# Submit improvements
git checkout -b feature/improvement
# Make changes...
git commit -m "Description of changes"
git push origin feature/improvement- Always consult official weather briefings and NOTAMs
- Follow your aircraft's operating limitations
- Use proper flight planning procedures
- Not a replacement for pilot judgment
- Not certified for operational decision-making
- Issues: GitHub Issues
- Features: GitHub Discussions
- Commercial: andrew@openturf.org
- Documentation: docs/
MIT License - see LICENSE.md
RunwayGuard ARRI - Professional runway risk assessment for safer aviation operations.
Built by pilots, for pilots. A product of OpenTurf.org