Test and Evaluation of the Airport Radar Wind Shear Detection System.
Abstract
A wind shear detection system, developed by the Wave Propagation Laboratory (WPL) to operate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Surveillance Radar ASR-(8), was installed and tested at the FAA Technical Center. Initial tests consisted of hardware and software shakedown and feasibility determinations. Second phase tests compared radar with aircraft and tower winds, evaluated the wind shear measurement capability under various weather conditions, and investigated the effectiveness of a simple two-azimuth pointing strategy. Final efforts consisted of observations in all-weather regimes and tests of a modified velocity-azimuth display (VAD) and a glide slope scan. Results showed the system to be compatible with and to operate satisfactorily with the ASR-8. The processing and spectral display of clear air and precipitation returns is feasible. The accuracy of agreement between radar-measured winds and components of the aircraft-measured winds in both radially oriented flights and runway offset flights using a two-azimuth pointing technique, a glide slope scan, and a modified VAD was examined. Radar versus tower wind agreement was also examined. Potentially dangerous wind shears associated with weather during these tests were detectable. Certain system limitations were also defined and considered. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA112663
Entities
People
- Alfred Delamarche
- Dominick L. Offi
- Tai Lee
- William K Lewis
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration