PlaneWXHelp
About PlaneWX

My Crew

Share trip weather updates with family, friends, and flight instructors.

What Is My Crew?

My Crew lets you add people who should know about your flight plans. They receive automatic email updates about weather conditions as your departure approaches—without needing a PlaneWX account.

This serves two important purposes:

Reduces External Pressure

When your spouse sees weather deteriorating days in advance, they understand why you might need to postpone—before you're standing at the airport with bags packed.

Keeps Loved Ones Informed

Your family knows when you're planning to fly and can check in on conditions. It's peace of mind for everyone.

Who Should You Add?

Family Members

Spouse, parents, or anyone who worries when you fly

Flight Instructor

A CFI or mentor who can provide guidance on marginal days

Regular Passengers

Frequent flyers who want to stay informed about upcoming trips

Flying Buddies

Pilot friends who can offer a second opinion on weather

When Do Watchers Get Updates?

Crew members receive progressive email updates as your departure approaches:

14 Days OutInitial notification

Trip created—watchers are notified

7 Days OutFirst weather outlook

Long-range pattern forecast available

3 Days OutPlanning update

More detailed forecast becoming available

1 Day OutPre-flight update

TAFs available, high confidence forecast

Departure DayFinal update

Current conditions and GO/NO-GO status

Watchers also receive immediate updates if the GO Score changes significantly (±15 points) or status changes (GO → CAUTION → NO-GO).

Managing Your Crew

Adding Crew Members

  1. 1. Go to Profile → My Crew
  2. 2. Click Add Crew Member
  3. 3. Enter their name and email address
  4. 4. Optionally set them to be auto-added to all new trips

Adding Watchers to a Trip

  1. 1. Open your trip's briefing
  2. 2. Click the 👥 Crew button in the header
  3. 3. Select crew members to add as watchers
  4. 4. They'll receive an email notification that they've been added

What Do Watchers See?

Email notifications include:

  • Trip details (route, date, time)
  • Weather status in friendly, non-technical language
  • Plain-language weather summary
  • Quick response buttons ("Looks good!" / "Call me" / "Concerned")

Watchers can also click a link to view a simple trip status page without needing to log in.

Friendly Weather Labels

Why no percentages? When you see "65%", you understand it's marginal VFR and you'll watch the weather. But your spouse might think there's a 35% chance something goes wrong. We show watchers friendly labels that communicate the situation without causing unnecessary anxiety.

Here's exactly what your crew members will see for each weather condition:

YOU SEE (Pilot)
85%
GO
THEY SEE (Family)
Looking Great
Weather supports the planned flight
YOU SEE (Pilot)
65%
CAUTION
THEY SEE (Family)
⚠️
Some Weather to Watch
The pilot is monitoring conditions
YOU SEE (Pilot)
45%
MARGINAL
THEY SEE (Family)
🔶
Challenging Conditions
Weather may require adjustments
YOU SEE (Pilot)
15%
NO-GO
THEY SEE (Family)
🔴
Difficult Weather
Flight may need to be rescheduled
YOU SEE (Pilot)
0%
NO-GO
THEY SEE (Family)
🚫
Not Flyable Today
Conditions don't meet safety minimums
YOU SEE (Pilot)
--
PENDING
THEY SEE (Family)
Awaiting Forecast
Weather data will be available closer to departure

The goal: Your family stays informed without anxiety. They know you're making careful decisions, and the reassuring language ("The pilot is monitoring conditions") reminds them that you're in control.

Quick Response Buttons

Every notification includes three response buttons so watchers can quickly communicate with you:

👍 Looks Good

"I've seen the update, all good!"

📞 Call Me

"I'd like to chat about this before you go"

⚠️ Concerned

"I have concerns I'd like to discuss"

When a watcher responds, you'll receive a notification so you can follow up if needed.

Tips

  • • Set your CFI to auto-add—they'll see all your planned trips
  • • Family members appreciate the transparency; it builds trust
  • • Watchers can unsubscribe from notifications if they prefer
  • • Consider adding a pilot friend who can offer a second opinion