Aviation Dashboard Documentation Index
This directory contains comprehensive documentation of all restrictions, limits, and thresholds used in the SLU Aviation Dashboard project.
Documentation Files
1. Flight Restrictions Overview
Complete reference for all flight restriction levels using the concentric restriction model.
2. Wind Restrictions
Detailed wind speed and crosswind component thresholds for different pilot categories.
3. Visibility and Ceiling Restrictions
Minimum visibility and cloud ceiling requirements for flight operations.
4. Temperature Restrictions
Heat index and cold temperature operational limits and restrictions.
5. Runway Information
Runway headings and airport elevation data used in calculations.
6. Demo Page
Interactive demonstration showing all 11 flight restriction scenarios with live current conditions and detailed examples.
Quick Reference
Flight Status Levels (Concentric Model)
- All Pilots Clear (Green) - No weather restrictions
- Private+ Only (Orange) - Student pilots restricted
- Commercial/Instrument Only (Yellow) - Student & Private pilots restricted
- All Flights Restricted (Red) - All pilots restricted
Key Principles
- Concentric Restriction Model: More restrictive conditions automatically apply to all less experienced pilot categories
- Multiple Factors: Flight status is determined by the most restrictive condition present
- Temperature Independence: Heat index and temperature restrictions apply in addition to wind/visibility restrictions
- Real-time Updates: All thresholds are checked against live METAR data every 5 minutes
Data Sources
- Weather Data: NOAA Aviation Weather Center METAR reports
- Primary Station: KCPS (St. Louis Downtown Airport)
- Backup Station: KSTL (Lambert-St. Louis International Airport)
- Update Frequency: Every 15 minutes via GitHub Actions
- Data Freshness: METAR reports are considered valid if less than 2 hours old
Version Information
Last Updated: October 9, 2025
Dashboard Version: 1.0
Documentation Maintained By: SLU Aviation Science Department
Related Files
dashboard.html- Main operational dashboardquick.html- Large-format TV display dashboard with weather graphicsdashboard5.html- Simplified dashboard with flight status cardquick.html- Large-format TV display dashboard with weather graphicsdemo.html- Demonstration page with scenario examplesshared-weather.js- Shared calculation utilitiesscripts/fetch-weather.py- Weather data fetching script.github/workflows/update-weather.yml- Automated weather updates
For questions or updates to these restrictions, contact the SLU Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science.