# Cloud Topper — A Modern Pilot Sight Level

> Pilot tool for calculating cloud height using device sensors and distance input. (iPhone/iPad app by Crop Applications, LLC..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloud-topper/id563015359 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Crop Applications, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/563015362)
- Category: Utilities, Navigation
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 2.70/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 26 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 13 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-10-10
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloud-topper/id563015359/reviews.md

## What is Cloud Topper?

Pilots, it's time to get rid of your sight level, water bottle or whatever "old school" method you have been using to determine cloud height.  Introducing Cloud Topper, a revolutionary new sight level designed specifically for the iPad and iPhone.

With Cloud Topper you can use your device camera, gyroscope and accelerometer as a traditional sight level.  Plus you can enter the distance to a cloud and Cloud Topper will calculate your height above or below that cloud.  The displayed cloud height is even corrected for the curvature of the earth. 

Cloud topper is a fun, easy to use app that should be included in every pilots EFB.

Cloud Topper is not an FAA approved source to determine cloud height.  Cloud Topper is not intended to replace weather radar or pilot skills and judgement.  Always consult the Aircraft Manufacturer’s Aircraft Flight Manuals, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) websites and publications, and individual company policies.

## Key features

- Camera, gyroscope, and accelerometer integration
- Calculate height above or below clouds
- Earth's curvature correction
- Modern alternative to traditional sight levels
- Easy to use interface

## Recent user reviews (10 of 26)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloud-topper/id563015359/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Basically a great idea...

*2024-07-30*

because it's difficult to estimate if high enough to get over the clouds at altitude. Of course you can't use this app for measurement. But for any reason not even bearing really works. It's hard to find exactly 0 degrees but even then the app seem not to show straight level ahead.
Maybe some improvement and more testing, then it could be a really helper.

### 5/5 — Great, simple tool

*2022-12-15*

I use this app weekly to determine tops of cells and required altitude to clear a buildup or cloud bank. It does require correlation between radar/stormscope info for best accuracy. NEXRAD works in a pinch.

### 1/5 — Useless

*2021-08-26*

I haven’t found this useful at all. No clear instructions on how to calibrate or where to put the lines.

**Developer response:** Hello J N C C, 

You can go to our help page at http://www.cropapplications.com/CloudTopper/help.htm for instructions to use the app. Please email us with any questions you have and we will get back to you right away. Happy Flying!

### 1/5 — Wasted 99 cents.

*2020-09-07*

This app is difficult to close. Locked up my I pad during flight. Had to reboot and bring ForeFlight back up. Not a good problem to try to solve while in flight. Had to hand my iPad to passenger to solve the problem.   I should have practiced first and I would have know not to use this app while in flight.

**Developer response:** Hello Old Rancher Dude,

The older versions of Cloud Topper only has support for landscape orientation. This could make the app confusing to close if you were holding the device in the portrait orientation.  Our newest release has support for all orientations. To close the app, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen like you would with other iOS apps. Hops that helps.

### 1/5 — Awful

*2019-03-23*

I deleted it immediately, and wish I could get my money back.  Two big problems:

1) once the app is opened and you grant camera access, you can’t swipe up and kill it or switch apps. I had to force reboot my phone to get back to the app switcher.

2) it requires you to know the distance to the cloud you’re measuring “using RADAR”.  Like I have that?!

**Developer response:** Hello TXPilot69,

1) The app is oriented in landscape mode so you have to swipe up from the bottom when in landscape (you could also swipe from the left side, on the white bar, if holding your phone normally). This is the case for any app that is landscape orientated.  The reason for the orientation is that the app uses you phones angle to work correct.  If you continue to have issues with the app, I suggest emailing us and we will fix the issue.  If we can’t fix the issue we’d be happy to send you a full refund of 99 cents. 

2) If you don’t have weather radar, you can make an estimate of your distance to the cloud.  You can also use the angle to determine if you are above or below the cloud.  I suggest you get an app like ForeFlight and an ADS-B receiver to display weather radar.  If you are in an airplane that doesn’t have an onboard weather radar, I’d suggest not trying to fly over the top of any convective activity.  If you have another suggestion of how to determine the distance to a cloud through an app, we’d love to hear it.

### 1/5 — Not accurate

*2018-09-18*

Not very accurate. A small error in angle is a quite large when looking at a cloud which is miles away. This app consistently indicates I will fly into a cloud when in reality I clear it by seventy hundred feet.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your review.  At larger distances it’s more accurate to use the angle vs cloud height.  A very small change in angle will change cloud height considerably.  This is true for a physical sight level or even a laser levels that are used for precise measurements.  Cloud Topper is a great tool for a quick estimation and cloud height will be more accurate the closer you are to the cloud.

### 3/5 — Useful, Not Perfect

*2016-10-25*

Works well as a better refined guesstimator than the naked eye. It would be great if the artificial horizon had an option to always display at 0* and move on the screen relative to the phones actual angle... would be great for measuring in light chop.

### 1/5 — Doesn't work

*2015-06-13*

Camera functions work, but you can't enter distance to get height.  99 cents down the drain. Worthless don't buy.

**Developer response:** We haven't had any reports of users not being able to enter the distance to get the height.  We have instructions at http://www.cropapplications.com/CloudTopper/help.htm  If you are still having problems please contact us and we will solve your problem.

### 5/5 — TCAS Tested

*2013-09-30, version 1.1*

It works as advertised. I checked it against TCAS traffic and the altitude was spot on.

### 5/5 — Useful

*2013-07-29*

Great little tool.   Lots of other uses too

## Frequently asked questions about Cloud Topper

### What is Cloud Topper used for?

Cloud Topper is a utility app designed for pilots to help determine cloud height using their iPhone or iPad's camera, gyroscope, and accelerometer. It provides a modern alternative to traditional sight levels.

### How accurate is Cloud Topper?

Cloud Topper is not an FAA-approved source for determining cloud height and is not intended to replace pilot skills or official weather data. It calculates height based on sensor input and distance to the cloud.

### What devices does Cloud Topper support?

Cloud Topper is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It was released on October 10, 2012, with its latest version being 1.63 updated on April 16, 2022.

### What is the price of Cloud Topper?

Cloud Topper is a paid application, available for $1.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What is the age rating for Cloud Topper?

Cloud Topper has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. It is categorized under Utilities.

### Does Cloud Topper account for Earth's curvature?

Yes, the displayed cloud height calculated by Cloud Topper is corrected for the curvature of the Earth, offering a more precise measurement.

### Is Cloud Topper suitable for professional aviation use?

Cloud Topper is presented as a fun and easy-to-use app for pilots' Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs). However, it explicitly states it is not an FAA-approved source and should not replace official weather radar or pilot judgment.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.63 — 2022-04-16

Added multiple rotation support. 
Automatic calibration. 
Full screen support.

### 1.5 — 2016-11-07

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- Added color change option for cloud height text.  Press the cloud height number to change the color.
- Optimized for iOS 10.

### 1.4 — 2015-08-22

Fixed the camera view to better fit the screen on all devices.

### 1.3 — 2015-01-31

- iPhone 6 and IOS 8 optimization.

- Fixed a bug where multiple decimal points could be added to distance textfield.

### 1.2 — 2013-12-20

Updated Calibration and corrected issue with user entered calibration.

Optimized for IOS 7.

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## More apps by Crop Applications, LLC.

- [Pilot Duty & Performance Calc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pilot-duty-and-performance-calc/id537253628)
- [Timber Tree Height Estimator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timber-tree-height-estimator/id921705279)

All apps by Crop Applications, LLC.: https://appshunter.io/developer/563015362

## Related topics

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-07.*