Hardware components | ||||||
 |
| × | 1 | |||
Software apps and online services | ||||||
 |
| |||||
I work in the aviation industry, and I have always been interested in tech, aviation weather, and the tools built around it. I wanted to create something useful, compact, and fun that combines these interests in one device.
That is how MetarNow started.
MetarNow is custom firmware for the M5Stack Cardputer that turns it into a handheld aviation companion. It gives quick access to aviation weather data such as METAR, TAF, airport information, alerts, and decoded weather, and aircrafts tracking, all through a simple interface designed for the small Cardputer screen.
The project began as a fast way to check aviation weather from a saved home airport or by searching for any other station. On first boot, the device guides the user through sound settings, Wi-Fi setup, and choosing a home station. After that, the saved airport can be opened instantly, or the user can enter another airport code when needed.
As the project evolved, I added more aviation tools around the weather features. MetarNow now includes an icon-based main menu with three main sections:
WX DATA | CALCULATOR | SETTINGS
The WX DATA section is used to view METAR, TAF, alerts, decoded weather, and airport information. The CALCULATOR section includes 18 aviation calculators, such as wind correction angle, ground speed, crosswind, fuel, altitude, cloud base, climb, glide, ETP/PNR, IAS, TAS, Mach, bank load, and DMMS. The SETTINGS section lets the user manage Wi-Fi, brightness, sound, saved data, and controls.
The newest update also adds an aircraft tracking feature. MetarNow can show aircraft flying above or near a selected location. The location can come from Wi-Fi-based location, manually entered coordinates, or a connected GPS dongle. This makes the project more than just a weather viewer; it becomes a small aviation awareness tool.
The device connects to Wi-Fi, retrieves aviation weather and aircraft data, then displays the information in compact views that are easy to switch between using the Cardputer keyboard. Controls are kept simple: ENTER to open or search, TAB to move through weather views, R to refresh, and keyboard shortcuts for Wi-Fi and settings.
My goal with MetarNow is to build a practical, fun, and portable aviation tool for pilots, aviation students, aerospace enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys aviation technology. It is still evolving, and feedback, bug reports, and feature ideas are always welcome.
MetarNow is available at M5Burner.
Comments