First, I think air resistance should scale wind effects primarily, and resistance to motion should be cut down. I think dangerous wind and weather is more interesting, dangerous, and fun than just having to pilot a slow drone or slap more thrusters on.
Weather is something you can fight, be buffeted and destroyed by, or even ride to your advantage. Dealing with it can be both a design game and a skill game.
My suggestion is to divide the world into nine parts. The inner circle, effe