Video tip: avoiding thunderstorms with datalink weather
1 min read 
One of the best upgrades to your iPad is a datalink weather receiver like a Stratus, Sentry or GDL. These portable avionics sit on your dash or suction cup to a side window and receive either subscription-free ADS-B weather from ground stations or SiriusXM satellite weather that requires a monthly subscription. Regardless of your receiver, there are some important rules to follow. In this video tip, you’ll learn how to evaluate radar images to determine if they are dangerous thunderstorms or just rain. There’s more to it than just green, yellow and red colors.
Shop datalink weather receivers here
Coming from an aviation family, John grew up in the back of small airplanes and learned to fly as a teenager. Ever since, he has been hooked on aviation of all kinds and regularly flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He is a 4000-hour ATP and also holds ratings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. He has written for Flying magazine, AOPA Pilot, and Plane & Pilot, and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Air Facts and the host of the Pilot’s Discretion podcast.
Latest posts by John Zimmerman (see all)
- Flying with the Garmin D2 Mach 2 and D2 Air X15 - October 28, 2025
- Weather planning with Garmin Pilot: widgets and flight profile - October 22, 2025
- Ready to start flying with Starlink internet? Listen to this podcast first - October 9, 2025
Where do you find the 500mb chart on FlightAware.