MAVIS FAQs

What is MAVIS^®​​​​​​​?

How do I get access to MAVIS^®?

Can I use my existing account?

Is MAVIS^® operational and safe to use?

What is happening to my existing services?

What is happening with Aviation Briefing Service (ABS) Premium?

Can I pay to access the other features in MAVIS^®?

MAVIS seems to log me out regularly. Is it possible to make login easier or remember my session?

Can I set a default home location or opening page?

Can I get a mobile app or better offline access?

Why can't I find the fog map layer?

Why can I not see all the data, products, or locations I am used to?

Why can I see map layers that I am not used to seeing?

Why are some data layers missing?

Can I see multiple weather layers combined?

Can I set my own weather thresholds?

Can you add more airfields?

Can you let us pin custom locations?

What do the map’s colours mean? I can’t find any legend or key for the color-coded layers.

Can METARs/TAFs be easier to read? A decoded or better formatted output would help.

Can I get a better visual for wind data?

Can I click the map to get actual values? It’s hard to interpret just colours.

How can I easily print or save the official charts (e.g. F214/F215)?

Where is the page listing all METARs/TAFs for a region?

Is there a guidance document I can refer to?

What do I do if I need additional help/support?

Where can I report a problem?

Where can I provide feedback?

Is MAVIS named after Mavis Hinds?

Do you have a document that I can share with my team or in our intranet?

 

What is MAVIS^®?

The Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation Services (MAVIS) is a new product designed to combine and replace the following existing services:

• Aviation Briefing Service (ABS)
• Network Weather Resilience (NWR)
• Helibrief^®
• OpenRunway^TM

MAVIS will provide a single platform and access for all aviation visualisation data to support all users of the existing services.  It provides a new and improved user interface.

How do I get access to MAVIS^®?

This service is in beta testing. To access MAVIS, please visit mavis.metoffice.gov.uk and complete the sign-up process. Please note, during the beta phases of this service, MAVIS will not be feature complete but is now operational.

Can I use my existing account?

If you have a Met Office account that is used to access non-aviation specific services, such as Hazard Manager, then these credentials can be used to access MAVIS.  If you have an account for one of the aviation services that MAVIS is replacing, you will need to create a new Met Office account at the login page for MAVIS. 

Is MAVIS operational and safe to use?

Yes. MAVIS is now operational and safe to use, however it is not feature complete. New features will be added regularly.

What is happening to my existing services?

The Met Office will retire the legacy infrastructure that hosts the existing services on the 24th March 2026. This phased process will allow existing users to migrate seamlessly to the new platform. 

What is happening with Aviation Briefing Service (ABS) premium?

There is not currrently a premium service offered in MAVIS to replicate Aviation Briefing Service (ABS) Premium. This will be developed in 2026, but no fixed timeframe is available at this stage. If you have questions about your existing subscription or concerns about what you can access, please contact [email protected] 

Can I pay to access the other features in MAVIS?

MAVIS is combining multiple services and, as a result, you may have the opportunity to access data in the service that you have previously been unable to. If you are an organisation who has previously accessed OpenRunway^TM, or a new organisation wishing to enquire about the various products available in MAVIS, you can contact your account manager or email [email protected] 

MAVIS seems to log me out regularly. Is it possible to make login easier or remember my session? 

For security purposes, MAVIS enforces an automatic logout after one hour of inactivity to safeguard your data. While this measure is in place to keep your data safe, we recognise it can be disruptive. Our team is currently evaluating solutions to extend the session timeout, while continuing to prioritise security. Although a resolution is not yet available, streamlining the login process is a priority for us. 

Can I set a default home location or opening page? 

We recognise that users have preferred starting locations, whether it is a specific airfield or geographic region. Currently, MAVIS does not retain individual preferences upon login, however, we are actively developing a ’home base’ feature that will allow users to set a default location or page for MAVIS to open with. This enhancement is being prioritised to ensure an optimised user experience from the outset of every session. We welcome feedback regarding any other default settings you would find valuable. 

Can I get a mobile app or better offline access? 

While a native application is not available in the App Store or Google Play, MAVIS is offered as a Progressive Web App (PWA). A PWA is essentially the website in a format that can be installed on your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to launch MAVIS directly from your home screen and experience functionality like a native app. The PWA version of MAVIS is optimised for usability, it can cache data to enable faster loading times and will continue to display critical information even during brief connectivity interruptions. Although it does not provide complete offline access, it represents significant progress toward improved reliability in areas with limited network coverage. To install the MAVIS PWA, go into settings on MAVIS and click on ‘install MAVIS as a progressive web app on your Android or Apple device.  

Why can't I find the fog map layer?

We have had a significant amount of feedback regarding Fog Map Layers. Fog has traditionally been on a combined map layer with cloud base. Having had feedback about this map layer we will bring forward implementation of a map layer to highlight where fog is forecast. The visibility Map Layer is a useful alternative map layer to review to understand where in the UK there is reduced visibility, due to fog or low cloud.

In addition, we have been asked for a Map Layer where cloud base below 1000ft is shown in incraments, a feature that has not been available before. We will refresh the Cloud Base Map Layer after the next Supercomputer release.

Why can I not see all the data, products or locations I am used to?

The MAVIS service is still in development during the Beta phases. This means that all data, map layers, locations, or functionality will not be available at this time. MAVIS will have all the data and functionality of the existing services at a later stage.

Why can I see map layers that I am not used to seeing?

Whilst the service is still in development, there is a chance that there will be more data or map layers visible to you than you are used to seeing in your existing service. This is likely due to access management still being developed and does not mean you will continue to be able to access or visualise this data when the service goes live. The Met Office reserves the right to limit or alter the access to any data hosted within MAVIS at any stage during the development process or after the service goes live.

Why are some data layers missing?  

Some users have observed that certain layers from our previous systems are not showing in MAVIS.  Our objective is to make available all essential layers into MAVIS. Numerous key map layers have already been added for various user groups and organisations. Please ensure you are logged in with your organisation's account, as some layers are accessible exclusively to specific groups. If you require a layer that is still missing, please contact us via email or the feedback form. We will do our best to help you find it or get it added. Your feedback helps us to prioritise what to add next. 

Can I see multiple weather layers combined?  

We have been actively gathering feedback regarding which layer combinations would be most beneficial. We understand the value of viewing multiple weather data layers simultaneously, such as cloud, fog, and precipitation, as supported by some legacy tools. Our team has now commenced development on this feature, aiming to introduce combined overlays to MAVIS at the earliest opportunity. Although the implementation is complex, it remains a high priority for us. Please look out for further updates and continue sharing your preferred layer combinations for consideration. 

Can I set my own weather thresholds? 

We understand standard Red/Amber/Green warnings don’t suit everyone. Users have different definitions of what a ‘red’ alert or a ‘green’ safe condition is, for example: Visual Flight Rules (VFR) vs Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flying, or day vs night ops. We are actively developing a feature to let you set your own weather thresholds in MAVIS. Soon, each organisation will be able to adjust the alert levels to match their specific requirements. This will give much more control over which conditions trigger a red, amber, or green status. If you have specific needs for this feature, please contact us. 

Can you add more airfields? 

MAVIS is designed to include all major airfields and sites necessary for our user groups, though we acknowledge that some locations may still be missing or require updates. We recognise the importance of displaying all relevant airfields and sites on the map for our users and understand that the ability to pin custom locations would be useful. Currently, sites displayed in grey indicate that we are awaiting data, whereas if it’s black, the site does not produce TAFs/METARs; these can be toggled off if they are not needed. MAVIS is still in beta, so we are continually adding more sites and data. If a required airfield or location is absent, please notify us so we can try and include it in future updates.  

Can you let us pin custom locations? 

The option to pin custom locations is a frequently requested feature and is being considered for future development.  

What do the map’s colours mean? I can’t find any legend or key for the color-coded layers. 

Users have expressed concerns about the visibility of a legend for colour-coded layers. In response to this feedback, we have enhanced the accessibility of the map legend. After selecting a weather layer, you will now find a Map Key toggle positioned at the top-right corner of the map (replacing the previous ‘i’ information icon). By clicking this toggle, the complete colour legend will be displayed. Should you require further clarification, please contact us. We are committed to ensuring the map remains clear and informative. 

Can METARs/TAFs be easier to read? A decoded or better formatted output would help. 

Many users have requested an easier-to-read version of METARs and TAFs. We are actively working on a feature to display METAR/TAF information in a more user-friendly format, adhering to Civil Aviation Authority guidelines to ensure accuracy. If there are specific aspects of these codes that you find challenging to interpret, please let us know as your feedback will help us determine which areas to simplify first. 

Can I get a better visual for wind data? 

We have received feedback indicating that the current wind arrows can be challenging to interpret, particularly when precise wind speeds or directions are needed. We understand the importance of clarity and recognise that displaying numerical values alongside the arrows would greatly improve usability. We are actively investigating enhancements to MAVIS wind data visuals, including options for presenting numeric information. This improvement is under consideration as part of our ongoing efforts to make the tool more intuitive and beneficial for decision-making.  

Can I click the map to get actual values? It’s hard to interpret just colours. 

We understand the value of enabling users to interact with the map for exact values, as relying solely on colour gradients can be challenging. We intend to provide this feature; however, it requires substantial changes to the underlying MAVIS infrastructure, particularly in how map layers and server data are managed. This is a significant undertaking, and our team is currently evaluating efficient approaches that will not hinder progress on other key priorities. The feature is included in our development roadmap, though its completion will require additional time to ensure accuracy and reliability. We appreciate your patience and encourage continued feedback, as understanding which values are most important to our users informs the design of an effective solution. 

How can I easily print or save the official charts (e.g. F214/F215)? 

MAVIS now features a one-click download option for these charts. When viewing an F214 or F215 report in MAVIS, simply select the download button located at the top right corner to save the chart as a PDF for offline reference or printing. We hope this update enhances your pre-flight planning experience. Please try the new feature and share any feedback regarding its functionality. If there are any additional charts or documents you would like easier access to, we welcome your suggestions. 

Where is the page listing all METARs/TAFs for a region? 

We understand the importance of regional METAR/TAF summaries and ‘print packs’ offered in previous helicopter products, which provided users with a clear overview of conditions across an area. We are actively working to incorporate similar functionality into MAVIS. Our aim is to provide easy access to regional METARs and TAFs for quick and complete situational awareness. In addition, customisable briefing packs are included in our development roadmap. If you have preferences regarding specific regions or formats to be considered, please share your feedback. Your insights are instrumental in shaping this feature to best meet your operational needs. 

Is there a guidance document I can refer to?

Yes, there is a user guide to assist with the onboarding of users. If you wish to access this, please contact [email protected]

What do I do if I need additional help/support?

Please contact [email protected] for additional support.

Where can I report a problem?

To report a problem with the MAVIS service, please primarily use the inbuilt functionality in the main menu of the application. If you have issues with this functionality, access, or any other issue preventing you from using this mechanism, please contact [email protected] 

Where can I provide feedback?

There is an inbuilt feedback mechanism in the main menu in the MAVIS application. Please primarily use this to provide feedback, however if you are having issues with this functionality, or feel it more appropriate to provide your feedback directly, please contact [email protected] 

Is MAVIS named after Mavis Hinds?
While MAVIS stands for Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation Service, we're proud that the name also echoes Mavis Hinds, a pioneering programmer who worked at the Met Office in the early 1950s. Mavis helped revolutionise weather forecasting by pioneering the use of computers in numerical weather prediction, turning calculations that took hours into processes that ran in minutes. Like our platform today, her work transformed complex data into valuable insights. You can read Mavis's own account of her groundbreaking work in Met Mag in our own archives (pages 61-89) and learn more in this article about her contribution to UK IT.

Do you have a document that I can share with my team or in our intranet?

Yes, you can download a PDF with concise information about MAVIS to share with your team and on your intranet here.