CAP/NASA 2026 Aviation Skywatch

Aviation Skywatch Protocol - Paper Data Forms

Printable forms, checklists, and instruction guides to facilitate data collection in the field. 

Cloudy Day Protocol - Paper Data Forms

Units experiencing 100% cloud cover during the operational period may choose to implement the Cloudy Day Protocol instead of canceling. For this protocol:

• The weather officer will complete the full GLOBE cloud protocol every 15 minutes starting on the top of the hour

• The rest of the team will complete a Land Cover Survey of their data collection location

• The rest of the team will then work together to make tree height measurements using a sextant and then again using the GLOBE App

To complete the cloudy day protocol, teams will need access to the following equipment:

• At least 2 phones loaded with the GLOBE Observer App (One for the weather officer, one for the land survey/tree height project)

• A sextant 

• A measuring tape (25 feet or longer)

• A piece of string long enough to wrap around a tree

Note: Rural units that experience infrequent overflights may choose to take a hybrid approach to data collection. To do this, the Aviation Weather Protocol is prioritized when aircraft are nearby, and the members may complete a land cover survey and collect data to help calibrate the GLOBE Tree Protocol during lulls. 

Data Management Portals 

All teams should upload a copy of the Admin, Data Manager, and METAR forms using the links below. The Admin and Data Manager Forms should be uploaded as either an Excel or Google Sheet. The METAR forms should be uploaded as CSVs

Data Entry Training