Read the current source before changing it
Open Environment and check the atmosphere source, confidence, update time, temperature, density altitude, station pressure, and humidity behind the accepted solution.
Choose manual or airport data deliberately
Use manual entry for measurements or a trusted density-altitude reading at the range. Use an airport station only when its location, elevation, observation time, and terrain are representative enough.
Understand which atmosphere is authoritative
When density altitude is present, FreeDOPE uses it as the atmosphere authority. Otherwise a station-pressure value can define the atmosphere. Do not enter altimeter pressure as station pressure.
Save a complete manual observation
Enter temperature, station pressure when applicable, density altitude when applicable, and humidity, then use Use these conditions. FreeDOPE records the manual source and its update time.
Preserve measurement context
Record where and when the observation was taken and whether the instrument and exposure represent the firing point. A fresh number can still come from a poor location or method.
Refresh airport conditions safely
Enter the METAR station ID and refresh. A failed or incomplete request leaves the existing accepted environment in place rather than silently substituting partial weather.
Recalculate and compare
After a successful environmental change, recalculate and compare representative targets with the prior accepted solution. Re-check the displayed source, confidence, and timestamp.
- Density altitude is the primary atmosphere authority when supplied.
- Station pressure is the actual pressure at the observation elevation, not a sea-level altimeter setting.
- Humidity is bounded to a valid percentage and remains part of the accepted environmental snapshot.
- Atmosphere and the range wind call have separate sources and should be evaluated separately.
If: Airport refresh fails or the reading looks incomplete.
Keep the existing accepted environment, verify the station ID and connectivity, and retry. If necessary, enter a complete manual range observation and label it through the manual source path.
Expected result
The workspace shows a deliberate atmosphere authority with a recognizable source and timestamp, followed by a newly accepted solution for that environment.