Updraft developer docs
Updraft is a flight geography platform for paragliding and free flight: a topographic base map built from open data (OpenStreetMap, Copernicus DEM) and air layers derived from the flights of consenting pilots (thermal grid, skyways, take-off and landing sites, region profiles). This site is for putting that map and data into your own application.
Free for the first year. The API and the tiles are free for the first year; there are no plans, invoices or payments. The one condition is a visible attribution line on the map (Attribution rules). Limits only guard against abuse (Rate limits).
On your map in 10 minutes
- Get a key. Keys are issued by an Updraft administrator: tell us the endpoints (scopes) you need and the address of your web site (origin, e.g.
https://example.com). To show the map only, thetilesscope is enough. Details: Authentication and keys. - Pick a quick start:
- Web: vector style and thermal layer with MapLibre GL JS (live example)
- Flutter, easiest: raster tiles with flutter_map
- Flutter, vector: vector style with maplibre_gl
- Keep the attribution line visible: "© Updraft · © OpenStreetMap contributors · © OpenMapTiles · Copernicus DEM".
What is offered
| Product | Address | Authentication |
|---|---|---|
| Vector style (light, dark) | https://maps.updraftmaps.com/styles/pilot-light.json, pilot-dark.json |
Key optional |
| Vector tiles (base, contours, hillshade, terrain, thermals, skyways, take-offs/landings) | https://maps.updraftmaps.com/{source}/{z}/{x}/{y} |
Key optional |
| Raster tiles (PNG, 256 and 512 px) | https://maps.updraftmaps.com/raster/pilot-light/{z}/{x}/{y}.png |
Key optional |
| Query API | https://api.updraftmaps.com/v1/... |
X-Api-Key required |
Sources, zoom ranges and thermal parameters: Tiles and styles. Every endpoint: API reference.
The domains (
maps.updraftmaps.com,api.updraftmaps.com) open with the deployment round; until then you get a trial address together with your key.
Responsibility
Updraft layers are for pre-flight planning and post-flight analysis. They do not replace in-flight navigation, airspace compliance or weather forecasts; a power line or thermal missing from the map does not mean there is none. The pilot decides.