Hey fellow drone pilots! If you’re anything like me, you know that having the right apps on your phone can be the difference between a successful flight and a frustrating one. After over three years of commercial drone operations here in the Black Hills and Wyoming, I’ve tested dozens of apps and figured out which ones are actually worth the storage space on your device.
Whether you’re just getting started with your first drone or you’re a seasoned Part 107 pilot like myself, this guide will help you build the perfect app toolkit for safe, legal, and successful flights.
Weather Apps: Your First Line of Defense
Let me tell you – flying in Wyoming has taught me to respect the weather. Wind conditions can change in minutes, and having accurate, real-time weather data isn’t just convenient, it’s essential for protecting your equipment and getting the shot.
UAV Forecast is my absolute go-to weather app. It delivers hyperlocal weather intelligence specifically designed for drone pilots, including wind speeds at various altitudes, satellite visibility, and solar activity through the Kp index. The free version works great for casual flying, but if you’re running a business like I am, the subscriptions ($0.99/month for Value up to $49.99/year for Professional, or $13.99/month for Elite) are worth every penny.
UAV Assistant | Drone Forecast provides critical flight data like altitude-specific wind speed and direction, cloud base height, and precipitation probabilities. The pricing is similar to UAV Forecast, ranging from $0.99/month to $49.99/year depending on which tier fits your needs.
Drone Buddy takes a safety-first approach that I really appreciate. It displays real-time wind speed, gusts, rain radar, cloud ceilings, and UV index all in one clean interface. The free base app is solid, with Pro subscriptions ranging from $2.49/month to $71.99/year, or you can grab a lifetime unlock for $21.49-$99.99.
AutoPylot is unique because it features mission-specific weather forecasts with hourly updates, 10-day outlooks, and wind/precipitation maps directly alongside flight planning tools. Free base app with premium plans at $3.99/month or $39.99-$49.99/year.
Flight Control: Unlock Advanced Capabilities
Once you’ve mastered basic flying, these apps will take your missions to the next level and help you deliver professional results.
DroneLink enables fully automated missions, terrain following, and complex waypoint planning across DJI and Autel platforms. This has been a game-changer for my mapping work in the Black Hills. Hobbyists can grab one-time payments ($20-$120), while professionals might prefer the subscription model ($22-$44/month).
Litchi has earned its legendary status in the drone community. It unlocks autonomous features for DJI drones, including waypoint missions, orbit flights, and “follow-me” tracking that go way beyond what the manufacturer apps offer. At $24.99-$29.99 as a one-time purchase per platform, it’s one of the best investments you can make.
DroneDeploy automates flight capture specifically for generating high-resolution 2D maps, 3D models, and orthomosaics. The pricing reflects its professional focus ($349-$499/month for individual plans), but if you’re doing commercial mapping, inspection, or construction work, it’s industry-standard.
Fleet Management: Stay Organized
As your operation grows, keeping track of aircraft health, batteries, and maintenance becomes crucial.
AirData automatically analyzes flight logs to track aircraft health, battery trends, pilot behavior, and maintenance schedules. The free tier covers up to 100 flights, which is perfect for hobbyists. Paid tiers ($2.99/month for Lite to $14.99/month for Pro) offer deeper insights that are invaluable for commercial operations.
Aloft Air Control provides enterprise tools for flight logging, team oversight, risk assessments, and fleet status tracking. Solo pilots can use it for free, while enterprise plans start around $600/year per pilot. It’s particularly useful if you’re managing multiple pilots or aircraft.
Drone Flight Checklist ensures systematic pre-flight safety through customizable digital checklists for aircraft, batteries, and firmware. The free basic version covers the essentials, with premium upgrades at $1.99/month, $19.99/year, or one-time purchase ($4.99-$9.99).
LAANC Approval: Flying Legally in Controlled Airspace
As a Part 107 pilot, getting LAANC authorization is part of the job. These apps make it painless.
Aloft Air Control (yes, it appears again!) powers over half of US monthly LAANC authorizations, allowing pilots to gain legal access to controlled airspace instantly. The fact that it’s free for solo pilots and includes LAANC makes it a no-brainer.
AutoPylot provides FAA-approved near real-time LAANC authorizations in controlled airspace alongside B4UFLY status checks. Free base app with premium upgrades ($3.99-$49.99).
OpenSky offers a simple interface to receive near-real-time authorizations for flying in controlled airspaces around airports. And it’s completely free!
Training: Level Up Your Skills
Whether you’re studying for your Part 107 or expanding your skillset, these apps have you covered.
Pilot Institute offers mobile access to video courses for Part 107 certification and advanced maneuvers with offline viewing. Courses are pay-per-course (Part 107 runs $149-$249 for lifetime access), which I like because you only pay for what you need.
Drone U provides a library of over 45 expert-led courses ranging from mapping to videography and business strategy. It’s subscription-only (around $497/year for Annual or $1,497+ for Lifetime), but the depth of content is impressive for building a comprehensive drone business.
Drone Pilot (UAS) Test Prep prepares pilots for the FAA Part 107 exam with over 500 realistic questions and detailed explanations. One-time purchase of $59.99.
Drone Pilot Part 107 Prep focuses on exam readiness with practice tests and sectional quizzes drawn from real FAA tests. Base app is $49.99, with a Ground School upgrade for $89.99.
Photography: Capture Stunning Aerial Content
These apps help you plan and execute the perfect shot – something I use constantly for my photography and videography work.
PhotoPills helps photographers plan celestial shots by calculating Sun, Moon, and Milky Way positions using AR and 3D maps. As someone interested in astrophotography, this app has been invaluable for planning those perfect shots in the Black Hills. One-time purchase of just $9.99.
Alpenglow forecasts “Golden Hour” and sunrise/sunset quality to help you time your shoots for optimal lighting. Perfect for landscape photography. Free basic version with Pro subscription at $1.49/month or $24.99 lifetime.
DroneDeploy (appearing again!) specializes in automated aerial imaging for creating 3D models, panoramas, and 360° ground documentation. Individual plans run $349-$499/month.
Litchi (also making another appearance) offers advanced camera controls like exposure bracketing and automated panoramic capture, all included in that one-time purchase price.
Airspace Verification: Stay Legal and Safe
Knowing where you can and can’t fly is non-negotiable, especially when you’re working with clients and building your reputation.
OpenSky displays FAA airspace rules, restrictions, and UAS Facility Maps to verify safe flying areas – completely free.
Drone Buddy provides comprehensive no-fly zone maps that cover FAA restrictions, airports, and national parks. Free base app with Pro subscriptions ($2.49/month – $71.99/year).
AutoPylot visualizes airspace data including Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and no-fly zones. Free base app with premium upgrades ($3.99-$49.99).
notams.aero delivers real-time NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) and visual maps of restricted or prohibited areas. Annual subscription runs $19.99-$39.99.
UAV Forecast rounds out the list with interactive maps that display no-fly zones (NFZs) and temporary flight restrictions (TFRs). Free version available with subscriptions from $0.99/month to $49.99/year.
Building Your App Toolkit
You don’t need to download everything at once. Start with the essentials – a solid weather app (UAV Forecast is my pick), an airspace verification tool (OpenSky for the win), and maybe a flight control app if you’re ready to expand your capabilities.
As your skills and business grow, you can add more specialized tools. I started with just the basics when I got my Part 107, and now I have a full suite of apps that help me run my drone business efficiently across Wyoming and the Black Hills.
Remember, these apps are tools to enhance your flying, not replace good judgment and proper training. The technology is amazing, but it’s your knowledge, experience, and respect for safety that really matter.
Until next flight, stay safe and fly often!
