Project Title:

Airborne Advance Warning of Air Turbulence

03.02-2150
Airborne Advance Warning of Air Turbulence
Turbulence Prediction Systems
4876 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
H. Patrick Adamson  (303-433-2150)
LaRC -- NAS1-18637

Abstract:

	 An innovative, operational, airborne, air-turbulence, advance warning system was
studied. It is a light-weight, low-power, passive, scanning, infrared optical instrument
with a state-of-the-art microprocessor. The basic instrument stems from NASA-sponsored,
airborne research on clear air turbulence (CAT) and low-level wind shear (LLWS).
The goal is to install the first pre-production system in an aircraft for initial
in-service testing. Microbursts and gust fronts, the major causes of LLWS, have a
distinctive temperature profile. This profile provides a basis for advance detection.
Using multiple IR wave bands, temperature close to the aircraft and up to five to
seven miles ahead of the aircraft can be ascertained.
	Phase I explored the feasibility of using remote, passive, IR volumetric measurements
to provide advance warning of LLWS. The results obtained from testing of the instrument
in a simulated atmosphere (computer simulation with NASA-provided microburst LLWS
models) and ground testing of the prototype instrument demonstrated that the use
of IR represents a feasible method to provide advance warning of LLWS.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Application: Applications are for commercial and corporate aircraft
representing an existing market of more than 20,000 existing domestic units plus
foreign aircraft. The technology could also be used to detect other atmospheric conditions,
e.g. volcanic ash clouds and the jet stream, as a ground-based sensor either alone
or in conjunction with other sensors.