ForeFlight released version 13.3 of its application with a range of new features, including what the company brands as Dynamic Winds and Temperatures map layers. The new version also introduces the company’s ForeFlight Labs program Taxi Routing and Runway Lighting in Airport 3D features, as well as new ways to import and organize documents and support for background downloads.

ForeFlight explains the new Dynamic Winds and Temperatures animated weather layers allow users to view global forecast wind speed, direction, and temperatures at multiple altitudes and times. Both the “Winds (Temps)” and “Winds (Speeds)” layers use colourful heat maps, explains the company, covering the globe to represent their primary forecast values at the selected altitude and time.

Overlaid on each layer’s heat map are what Foreflight describes as smoothly-flowing particle animations representing wind direction and speed, providing an intuitive view of large-scale weather patterns in relation to the layer’s primary forecast value (wind speed or temperature). Users can adjust the application’s Time Slider to view wind forecasts in a 24+ hour period, and move the Altitude Slider to view winds from the surface up to 63,000 ft. Both layers are included with ForeFlight Performance subscription plans. The company explains both layers can be saved for viewing offline, but ForeFlight only downloads the portions of each that cover your route to limit the download size.

Version 13.3 also inlcudes ForeFlight’s graphical weather layers with a new colour legend situated above the time slider. The legend appears when any of the following layers are enabled: Radar (Composite, Lowest Tilt, ADS-B, Sirius XM), Enhanced Satellite, Color IR Satellite, Icing and Turbulence (US, Global, ADS-B, Sirius XM, 557WW), Clouds, and the new Winds (Temps) and Winds (Speeds) layers.

As part of the ForeFlight Labs program, the dynamic Taxi Route keyboard and bubble editor allow users to quickly add, remove, and rearrange route elements as clearance is read out, with dedicated Clear, Undo, and Redo buttons for flexible editing. The finished taxi route is displayed directly on the moving map as well as on the airport’s diagram in Plates.

Runway Lights in Airport 3D, explains ForeFlight, allows users to prepare for a night approach or establish a mental picture with toggleable Day/Night modes. Located in the bottom-right corner of Airport 3D, users can dim the surrounding terrain and expose the airport’s runway lights. Foreflight explains runway edge lighting is supported for most paved airports around the world, while larger airports may also display touchdown zone lights, PAPI lights, displaced threshold lights with approach light system if available, centerline lights, end light flashers, and more.

(Image: ForeFlight)