TruWeather Solutions

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on an incredible year of growth, collaboration, and innovation. Thanks to your unwavering support, we’ve made significant strides in transforming the way weather intelligence supports advanced air mobility (AAM), drone operations, and public safety initiatives. We couldn’t have done it without you—our clients, partners, and team members who share our vision for precision weather intelligence and its vital role in the future sustainability of the industry. Our newsletter is a look back at what we accomplished together in 2024 and what we’re excited about as we head into 2025. We hope you had some time to enjoy the holiday season and recharge for an exciting new year! #Weather #WeatherIntelligence #Innovation #AAM #Drone #PublicSafety #technology #2025 #NewYear

🚁 Imagine a #helicopter lifting off in dense fog from a helistop with faded markings, no lighting, and no wind cone. The pilot is forced make decisions with limited environmental & spatial awareness, surrounded by buildings that penetrate obstacle limitation surfaces. The margin for error is razor-thin. 😞 Last week, a helicopter ambulance crashed into Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Hospital in Turkey shortly after takeoff under similar conditions, resulting in four tragic deaths. The actual cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it offers an opportunity for education and discussion. What follows are observations from an infrastructure operator’s perspective and is for educational discussion only. 🛫 #Infrastructure/#Airspace Takeaways: 🔹 Markings: Clear, well-maintained markings provide essential visual cues in low visibility. Faded or missing markings can disorient pilots when precision matters. 🔹 Lighting: While not always required, lighting improves situational awareness in poor weather or low-light conditions. 🔹 Weather Data: A wind cone provides critical real-time wind info during takeoff and landing. Its absence (or disrepair) leaves pilots guessing – better #microclimate solutions now exist to enhance awareness further. 🔹 Obstacle Clearance: Airspace free from encroaching obstacles is essential. Penetrations add unnecessary risk and create hazards for helicopter navigation. Penetrating obstacles should be lit, marked, and charted. 🌪️ Weather Considerations: Localized, real-time weather data is critical, yet many helistops lack dedicated observation systems. The absence of #weather infrastructure may lead the crew to rely on regional forecasts – an accepted, but potentially flawed practice in areas with higher microclimate variability or terrain/architecturally-driven wind patterns. Wind cones are helpful, but the future lies in microclimate sensors that provide higher-fidelity, site-specific data – surpassing the capabilities of AWOS. 📋 Data Integrity & Communication Gaps: Airports have well-established processes for collecting and sharing critical data through tools like 5010 inspections, chart supplements, NOTAMs, and PPR (Prior Permission Required) procedures. Heliports, however, often lack this structured approach, leading to critical data gaps. Adopting similar practices could provide pilots with the reliable, up-to-date safety-critical information. ‼️ Addressing these gaps isn’t just regulatory box-checking, it saves lives. Part of an infrastructure operator's job is to ensure pilots have the info operate safely. I'll say it again; heliport design & operations are the foundation for future vertiport operations. It's critical that we have a strong foundation. TruWeather Solutions, Five-Alpha, Vertiport Chicago | Vertiport Global, VertiLink Advanced Air Mobility Group, Harper4D Solutions, LLC, Don Berchoff, Rex J Alexander 🚁, Daniel Mojica, Charlie Nelson, MRAeS, Damian L. #advancedairmobility #aam

With winter weather upon us, cold temperatures, shifting winds, and unpredictable micro-weather patterns can pose significant challenges. Meteorologist as a Service (MaaS) provides the strategic advantage you need to navigate these conditions with confidence and precision. Here’s how MaaS helps you stay ahead: Custom Weather Briefs: Tailored forecasts for mission planning, identifying optimal flight windows and mitigating risks. Micro-Weather Expertise: Insights on low-level winds, turbulence, and visibility challenges that automated tools may miss. Find Your Window of Opportunity: Expert analysis to pinpoint the best times to fly, so you avoid disruptions and keep operations on schedule. Our mission is to deliver precision weather intelligence and actionable insights – because sometimes you need to "Phone a Friend" to find your path forward. Let’s redefine what’s possible! #WeatherIntelligence #AAM #AdvancedAirMobility #BVLOS #MeteorologistAsAService #MissionPlanning #PrecisionWeather #TruWeatherSolutions

A team member recently mentioned, “I'm not sure everyone knows what a gap analysis is.” That got me thinking, this would be a great topic to explore in a post. In modern business operations, whether it's aviation, logistics, or drone operations, weather isn’t just a variable, it's a critical factor that can make or break your success. Yet, many businesses are unknowingly operating with weather data gaps that hinder safety, efficiency, and profitability. A Weather Gap Analysis identifies these blind spots by evaluating: ✅ The availability and precision of weather data. ✅ Gaps in spatial or temporal coverage (like areas without radar or sensors). ✅ The alignment of weather information with operational needs (e.g., wind profiles for drones or storm tracking for events). ✅ Risks and inefficiencies caused by insufficient weather intelligence. By conducting a gap analysis, organizations can uncover what’s missing, quantify the risks, and implement solutions - whether it’s upgrading tools, adding new sensors, or leveraging micro-weather data for hyper-local insights. The Result? Better decisions, fewer disruptions, enhanced safety, and higher profitability. Are you ready to bridge the gap? Let’s start the conversation! #WeatherIntelligence #GapAnalysis #Aviation #Logistics #UAS #OperationalExcellence #SafetyInnovation

Don't miss Dawn of Autonomy today as they wrap up "Ecosystem" month sponsored by a partner of ours, GrandSKY. Dawn Zoldi will be hosting TruWeather's Don Berchoff and NUAIR's Ken Stewart. Tune in to see how these two industry leaders have come together to advance the UAS and AAM ecosystem in the New York area, driving growth and innovation across the entire industry. You can view this episode at 11 am ET here --> https://lnkd.in/g2zShYvE #DawnOfAutonomy #EcosystemMonth #GrandSKY #TruWeather #NUAIR #UAS #AAM #NewYork #IndustryLeaders #Innovation

Meet Dr. Chris Zarzar: TruWeather’s #FeatureFriday Highlight! We’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Dr. Chris Zarzar, a key member of the TruWeather team who has made a tremendous impact with his expertise and dedication. Chris’s passion for atmospheric sciences is evident in everything he does, from delivering innovative insights to driving TruWeather’s mission forward. We’re incredibly lucky to have him on the team, and we’re excited for all the great things ahead! Bio - Dr. Chris Zarzar is the Director of Weather Strategy and Innovation at TruWeather Solutions. Chris joined TruWeather Solutions after a career in academia, where he coupled his geospatial and atmospheric sciences background to study the impacts of urban areas on local weather conditions. Through this research, Chris recognized that a lack of low-altitude weather observations was one of the biggest hurdles limiting advancement in local-scale weather predictions. As Director of Weather Strategy and Innovation at TruWeather, Chris builds partnerships and injects cutting-edge science into weather products to deliver state-of-the-art microweather intelligence to support safe, reliable, and resilient autonomous vehicle operations. He holds a Part 107 Certificate, an MA in Geography, and a PhD in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Can you share an example of a strategic initiative you’ve led at TruWeather that was particularly influenced by your academic experience? One strategic initiative I led at TruWeather that was deeply influenced by my academic background involved a partnership with AeroX to develop a workshop series focused on enhancing North Carolina's readiness for advanced air mobility (including existing low-altitude aviation operations, UAS, and eVTOLs). This initiative included a state-wide climate assessment, high-impact weather assessments for four metropolitan regions, and the identification of gaps in existing weather observation systems across the state. Drawing on my experience in both geospatial and atmospheric sciences, I organized a series of workshops that brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from industry, academia, government, and NGOs. The primary objective was to discuss stakeholders' specific pain points and to educate them about unique weather hazards associated with low-altitude aviation. Through these discussions, we explored practical solutions and mitigation strategies for improving weather safety in this emerging sector. A key outcome of this initiative was the forthcoming installation of the first FAA visual weather observing system (VWOS) within the contiguous United States. Additionally, it sparked ongoing discussions with government stakeholders on how third-party weather providers can play a crucial role in supplementing the nation's weather observation network to support the UAS and AAM industries. #AtmosphericScience #Leadership #Innovation #WeatherPredictions #GeospatialScience #WeatherTechnology

We’re happy to support Variable Pitch and a consortium of leading technology innovators for Phase 2 of Transport Canada - Transports Canada and NAV CANADA’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Traffic Management (RTM) trials. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in advancing the safe and scalable integration of RPAS into suburban airspace, with a strong focus on real-world application, safety, and scalability. As part of the expert consortium, TruWeather will contribute its advanced micro-weather insights and analytics, ensuring quality weather intelligence is at the forefront of RPAS operations. By providing precise, localized weather data, we aim to minimize risks, optimize routes, and enhance the overall safety of suburban RPAS integration. A huge congratulations to Variable Pitch for spearheading this initiative and to our fellow partners for being part of this groundbreaking effort. For more information on this project -->https://lnkd.in/ghzmga2H High Lander Accipiter Radar InDro Robotics Dimetor Speedbird Aero Viasat #RPAS #AviationInnovation #WeatherIntelligence #AirMobility #UAS #Partnerships #FutureOfFlight #Canada #AdvancedAnalytics #AAM #UAS

Explore exciting opportunities in the uncrewed and autonomous systems sector right here in North Dakota! Companies like Northrop Grumman, KBR, Inc., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Vantis, TruWeather Solutions, SkySkopes, iSight Drones, Meadowlark Aircraft Company, Ideal Aerosmith Inc., Thales, and many more are shaping the future of UAS.   From cutting-edge innovation at GrandSKY to academic advancements at University of North Dakota and collaborative ecosystems like AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International Great Plains, the region is a hub for growth and groundbreaking developments in the UAS industry. Check out these opportunities and be a part of this exciting journey: www.jobsnd.com Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, there’s a place for you in this thriving industry. Don’t miss out—join the future of uncrewed and autonomous systems! #UAS #NorthDakota #CareerOpportunities #Innovation #AutonomousSystems

Today at Harmonized Skies 2024: Advancing Commercial BVLOS Operations, TruWeather Solutions’ CEO Don Berchoff will deliver a keynote address on “Precision Low-Altitude Weather for Autonomous Digital Flight.” As BVLOS operations evolve, removing the pilot from the cockpit introduces new challenges in weather adaptation. Don will discuss how testing and demonstrating the new ASTM Weather Standard will drive the launch of cutting-edge digital weather technology, empowering intelligent decision-making for BVLOS operations. Don’t miss this impactful presentation at 11:15 CST! #HarmonizedSkies2024 #BVLOS #WeatherIntelligence #TruWeatherSolutions #ASTM #DigitalFlight #FAA #GUTMA

Global UTM Association (GUTMA) and Federal Aviation Administration are bringing together a powerhouse panel to the Harmonized Skies Event in Fort Worth to explore how UTM apps and services gain regulatory approval.  Approving UTM Services: Global Perspectives on Deploying Digital Services When: Today, November 14, 2024, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm UTM services have been rolled out to enhance strategic coordination in North Texas, but what’s the process for regulatory approval of these apps and services? The expert panel will share insights on approval pathways, open-source solutions, DSS onboarding, and lessons from live services around the world. Moderator: Will Whitelaw, Senior RPAS Specialist, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Speakers: – Brendan Hillis, UTM Product Manager, Wing – Jessica Brightman, Manager, Implementation Branch, UAS Integration Office, FAA – Don Berchoff, CEO, TruWeather Solutions – Manu Lubrano, CEO & Co-Founder, INVOLI #UTM #AirspaceManagement #FAA #Innovation #AAM #RegulatoryApproval #NorthTexas #AviationTech