Hey All. I just Found a really cool nugget of information, handy to keep in the back of your mind and keep in the tool box.

Leidos, has a very simple TEXTING app that allows anyone to receive updated TAF and METAR for an airport. Simply by texting a phone number and entering a real simple set of instructions.

This can come in handy when you are able to receive a cell phone signal at a location, but not necesarily a data connection on other devices. This will help you to gain a better real time idea of the current weather conditions.

The phone number to TEXT is 358-782.

M for METAR, T for TAF + ICAO code ADD PT for any command to receive weather reports in Plain text.

Example : M KVGT PT

Give it a try and add this free tool to your phones contact list!

works great thanks!

Lei do’s has also added a feature by which you can open and close your flight plan via text. I’ve been using that feature for some time, and it’s pretty slick. Departing busy airspace, it doesn’t require a frequency change to activate, and a text at end is a good reminder to close.

Might be handy, thanks for the link.

Thank You !

Thanks, I'm adding this to my phone. A private citizen has offered this service for a while now by texting 1-650-446-6777 with "metar kbdu" or "taf panc". I use it lots when I have cell service but no data. Always good to have options.

I was telling a buddy about this, he turned me onto an app he uses for checking wx -- Avia Weather.
You can load your local / favorite airports into it & it'll show you the metar (raw or decoded).
You do need internet service, so good to have something like the Leidos trick up your sleeve for when you don't.
I used to punch up my Avare GPS app, then download current metars, then click on the airports--
Avia makes the wx-checking process a lot quicker.

I just wish atis and clearances could be done this way.

That’s cool. Wasn’t aware. I’m set up now.