PROBLEM ADDRESSED Critical weather information systems are inadequate at thousands of general aviati

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AIRFIELD WIND ADVISORY SYSTEMNASA Seeks Industry
Partners for Aviation Handheld Communication
Devices
PROBLEM ADDRESSED Critical weather information
systems are inadequate at thousands of general
aviation airfields. Portable wireless units could
deliver vital airfield wind and other safety
information to pilots in real time on takeoff and
landing approach. TECHNICAL ELEMENTS (1)
compact handheld portable cockpit receiver and
display unit and automated ground unit at
airfield (2) display unit automatically
activated 8to 10 miles from airfield, with a
simple digital readout showing gust and average
wind velocity, direction, and most favorable
runway (3) ground unit weather station
containing sonic anemometer coupled to a
microprocessor, broadcasting data digitally over
a half-watt spread spectrum transmitter at 900
MHz, powered by AC or solar power with battery
backup POTENTIAL MARKET targeted
primarily for use by general aviation pilots at
any of the 500 controlled airports or 5,000
non-controlled airfields and helipads in the U.S.
and at 40,000 worldwide. 360,000 member Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association in partnership with
NASA to demonstrate system. BENEFITS (1)
increased safety at takeoff and landing (2)
compact portable cockpit display units usable
even with rented aircraft could lead to expanded
market penetration for makers of handhelds (3)
simple, rugged ground units are easy to implement
at airfields (4) saves 3 to 5 minutes per
landing via most advantageous vector approach to
airfield (5) successful prototype flight tests
in 1999 (6) U.S. patent application
filed CONTACT Martin Zeller, NASA Far West RTTC
at 213-743-2927 or zeller_at_usc.edu