About
Clear, honest turbulence forecasts for travelers
Smoothyr (say “smooth air”) gives travelers a clear picture of the ride ahead, using the kind of turbulence science airlines rely on, explained in plain language.
Why Smoothyr exists
Turbulence is one of the most common worries about flying, yet most travelers have little to go on beyond a vague app rating. Smoothyr was started to change that: a forecast built from the best available weather data, checked against what pilots actually report, and honest about what forecasts can and cannot tell you.
Founder
Dr. Robert Banks
Dr. Robert Banks has worked in the weather industry for more than 20 years. He began his career as a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), then spent more than five years in Europe as a Marie Curie Actions doctoral fellow, and has since worked across government, academia and the private sector. In aviation weather, he most recently led weather projects for Delta Air Lines and served as a senior advisor to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), including work on advanced turbulence forecast products.
Dr. Banks holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in meteorology from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) in Barcelona. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and Friends and Partners in Aviation Weather, and has served on numerous committees and review panels for aviation weather projects.
He writes every Smoothyr expert report personally.
How the forecasts work
The free outlook starts from the “Euro” model run by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), which leads the world’s forecast centers for accuracy at cruising altitude. Smoothyr applies established turbulence calculations to that data along your route, at your altitude and the hour you will be there. Over the U.S., it also blends in NOAA’s turbulence guidance.
After flights, forecasts are compared with pilot and aircraft turbulence reports, and the results, misses included, are published on the Method & accuracy page.
Forecasts have limits. Turbulence near thunderstorms and over mountains is harder to predict, real routes differ from the straight-line path the outlook assumes, and turbulence can happen without warning. Always follow the seat belt sign and crew instructions.
Independence
Smoothyr is independent. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA, Delta Air Lines, IATA or any other airline, government agency or aviation organization. Mentions of those organizations describe Dr. Banks’s past work and professional memberships only.
Free during the beta
Smoothyr is in beta. Automated forecasts are free, and a limited number of free expert test reports are available while the service is tested and refined. Request a test report or join the launch list on the home page.
Contact
Questions, feedback or press: hello@smoothyr.com.