KP in UAV Weather Forecast

here you go..
The Kp-index
The Kp-index is the global geomagnetic storm index and is based on 3 hour measurements of the K-indices, for a given value, for each of the past days. The K-index itself is a three hour long quasi-logarithmic local index of the geomagnetic activity, relative to a calm day curve for the given location. The Kp-index measures the deviation of the most disturbed horizontal component of the magnetic field on fixed stations worldwide with their own local K-index. The global Kp-index is then determined with an algorithm that puts the averages of every station together. The result is the global Kp-index. The Kp-index ranges from 0 to 9 where a value of 0 means that there is very little geomagnetic activity and a value of 9 means extreme geomagnetic storming.
 
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here you go..
The Kp-index
The Kp-index is the global geomagnetic storm index and is based on 3 hour measurements of the K-indices, for a given value, for each of the past days. The K-index itself is a three hour long quasi-logarithmic local index of the geomagnetic activity, relative to a calm day curve for the given location. The Kp-index measures the deviation of the most disturbed horizontal component of the magnetic field on fixed stations worldwide with their own local K-index. The global Kp-index is then determined with an algorithm that puts the averages of every station together. The result is the global Kp-index. The Kp-index ranges from 0 to 9 where a value of 0 means that there is very little geomagnetic activity and a value of 9 means extreme geomagnetic storming.


Wow, Thanks for such a detailed answer! How does it effect the drone? I am assuming it effects the compass?
 
There is no evidence that it has any effect on the Phantom. My advice -- ignore it.
 
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The KP index measures geomagnetic disruption caused by solar activity on a scale of 0 to 9, below 4 is usually good to fly more than that not good as the higher index means that you are going to have problems getting a accurate GPS lock. That's just a basic description and there are more factors that could influence the output.
 
I agree with @msinger. The degradation of GPS precision would be so small that it would most likely not even be noticeable by anyone flying a Phantom unless they were perhaps in the polar regions. It also doesn't cause a loss of satellites with the Phantom. You will find many threads on this topic, all of which end with the same advice. Ignore it.
 
As others have said, KP index is a red herring. Be careful with new and unproven online tools like UAV forecast, healthy drones, etc. They are often built by well-intentioned but not entirely knowledgable end users. Some of the data is useful but some of it can be equally misleading.
 
As others have said, KP index is a red herring. Be careful with new and unproven online tools like UAV forecast, healthy drones, etc. They are often built by well-intentioned but not entirely knowledgable end users. Some of the data is useful but some of it can be equally misleading.
Agree, its all about risk and criticality, depends on the environment you are operating in, guess the Phantom is a recreational item deigned for fun.
 
I love uavforecast and am not bothered by the info it provides. Each data field can either be embraced or discarded automatically by checking the appropriate boxes or setting the appropriate ranges. For example, if you think kps is voodoo, don't check that box and it'll always show up GREEN for flying even if we're in a solar ****-storm. And it records your IP so it remembers what data you checked or data range you set and displays it for you next time you visit.
 
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