Flight Planning with TopTask
TopTask is a desktop application for simulating flights based on the thermal forecasts of XC Therm and is included in the "Expert" subscription. In addition to flight simulation along a route, TopTask visualizes advanced parameters of the thermal forecast. These allow the user to study the forecasts in more detail. TopTask was offered as part of the German Weather Service (DWD) Toptherm product range. TopTask was discontinued in April 2024 and XC Therm resumed operations in December 2024.
TopTask is primarily aimed at ambitious pilots who want to plan their flights in the smallest detail. TopTask is primarily aimed at ambitious pilots who want to plan their flights down to the smallest detail. Compared to XC Therm, additional parameters such as zero degree limit, inversions or PFD curves are available.
Compared to the XC Therm App
Advantages
- Flight simulations
- Thermal forecast along a flight route
- Advanced parameters: inversions, zero-degree limit, ground temperature
- Selection of the base model ICON-D2 - ICON-EU
- Wind forecast at all altitudes in the detailed forecast
- Precise control of PFD calculation
- Quick overview of large areas through side-by-side view
- Faster operation through caching of forecasts
Disadvantages
- Mobile devices not supported
- Manual download and installation on the computer
- Data-intensive (22 MB per forecast day)
- Usable on maximum 2 devices
- Not available in Italian
Compared to the old DWD TopTask
Remains the same
- Data and model: Regtherm
- Visualisations and symbols
- Forecast variables
- Flight simulation functions
New
- Refined regions: mainly in the Alps
- Expanded coverage: all of Europe
- More frequent updates: up to 8 times a day
- Selection of the base model: ICON-EU or ICON-D2
- Online archive of forecasts since July 2024
- No PFD ensembles
Subscription
Monthly
Yearly
Expert
For weather experts who value detailed planning and analysis of flights.
- XC Therm Basic Offer
- Thermal forecasts for all of Europe (1354 regions)
- Flight planning with TopTask
Credit card, PayPal or prepayment
Upgrade
- An upgrade to the Expert subscription is possible at any time
- Change / upgrade subscription
TopTask Installation
Requirements
- XC Therm subscription
- Windows, Mac OS X or Linux
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.8+ installed
Recommendations
- Good internet connection (100 Mbit+)
- Internet subscription with unlimited data volume
Individual Steps
- Install Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.8+
- Download TopTask
- Open TopTask
- Log in with XC Therm credentials
- Read the documentation
