Real-time decoded airport METARs for macOS. VFR and IFR weather
monitoring from your menu bar.
(v1.6: The "Precision & Safety" Update is now live!)
Requires macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later
The interface and menu bar icon change color based on flight rules (VFR, MVFR, IFR, LIFR) for instant recognition.
Real-time Density Altitude, Zulu time, and countdowns to Sunset/Twilight. Plus, intelligent unit switching (hPa/inHg).
Raw METARs decoded into high-contrast Helvetica Neue Condensed Bold. Mimics physical runway signage for instant legibility.
Track your destination and alternates in a high-contrast list. The menu bar icon automatically monitors the most critical station.
Smart autocomplete for ICAO codes. Plus, copy a code from ForeFlight or SkyVector and we detect it instantly.
Don't just read the wind; see it. Dynamic compass ring plus real-time Headwind and Crosswind calculations for instant Go/No-Go decisions.
Keep your hands on the yoke. Use global shortcuts to manage your cockpit.
Zero tracking. No accounts. Pure SwiftUI. Instant launch. No Electron bloat.
| Feature | FlyCheck | Web METARs | ForeFlight Basic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Speed | Instant (0.1s) | Slow (5s+) | Slow (10s+) |
| Readability | Visual Signage | Raw Text | Complex Charts |
| Architecture | Native (No Electron) | Electron / Web | Heavy Frameworks |
| Visibility | Always in Menu Bar | Hidden in tabs | Full screen only |
| Tracking/Privacy | None | Required | Required |
| Offline Access | Cached (Last Known) | Connection Error | Cached |
| Cost Model | US$5.99 Lifetime SALE | Free (Ad supported) | US$100+/yr Subscription |
"The story of how this app came to be is exactly what we love about many small Mac projects."
— ifun.de
I built FlyCheck in a Berlin hotel room while waiting for weather that never cleared. MVFR, occasional light snow, -5 degrees temps, overcast at FL10.
I was supposed to fly that day at EDAY Strausberg (it would have been my first time in a Skyleader 400!). Instead, I spent hours refreshing browser tabs, trying to track whether conditions might improve enough to make it to the airport. Every METAR check meant navigating to a website, typing the ICAO code, parsing dense text, and trying to spot the trend.
The anxiety of not knowing whether to wait or cancel is worse than bad weather itself.
So I built what I needed: instant weather checks from the menu bar. No tabs, no typing after the first search, no parsing cryptic abbreviations. Just the information pilots actually scan for — ceiling, visibility, wind, flight category — designed like the signs we already read on the ramp.
That flight never happened. But FlyCheck did.
Pay once, keep it forever. No subscriptions, no annoying recurring fees. Just a precise, engineered utility for your menu bar. All for the price of a coffee and two cookies. ($5.99 isn't going to make us rich but it might buy some 100LL.)
Download on the App StoreWe don't want your data; don't need it, don't care about, wouldn't know what to do with it anyway. FlyCheck is a utility tool that does its job without tracking you.
No Accounts: You do not need to create an account.
No Analytics: We do not use third-party trackers.
No Device IDs: We do not collect UDIDs or IPs.
No GPS: We do not access Location Services.
Local Storage: History & settings stay on your Mac.
Cache: Weather data is cached locally for speed.
CheckWX API: Direct HTTPS requests for weather.
Sandboxing: Restricted via macOS App Sandbox.
Encryption: All communication is secure.
Latest Release (Feb 17, 2026)
The "Precision & Safety" Update. This release focuses on the data that matters most in the cockpit: wind gusts and accurate ceiling definitions.
Released (Feb 17, 2026)
This major update introduces full Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) with an interactive timeline to visualize changing conditions.
Released (Feb 12, 2026)
Refining the workflow. This update focuses on smoother navigation, persistent settings, and eliminating friction in your daily briefing.
Released (Feb 8, 2026)
Expanding situational awareness beyond the departure gate with multi-station tracking and international unit support.
Released with v1.4
Ensuring your weather data is always accessible. This update introduces smart data caching and a new onboarding flow for modern MacBook layouts.
Released (Feb 7, 2026)
Focusing on time-critical situational awareness with solar calculations and standardized timing.
Initial Release (Feb 5, 2026)
Welcome to the initial release of FlyCheck! A native macOS utility that puts real-time aviation weather (METARs) directly in your menu bar.
FlyCheck is a living tool. Your one-time US$5.99 purchase isn't just for today’s build. You're playing a part in a growing utility designed to eliminate every friction point in your pre-flight routine.
In Planning
Expansion & Personalization. We're looking at ways to make FlyCheck even more tailored to your specific flying environment and preferences.
Available Now
Instantly look up the METAR for any airport with a 4-letter ICAO code. This extension provides real-time, decoded weather reports directly in Raycast.
Standalone extension. No FlyCheck app purchase required.
Powered by CheckWX (Free API Key required).
Occasional and short emails on new releases.
Zero spam.
Got an idea for the next update? Found a bug? I read and respond to every email.
alan@fractals.sg