A Wind and Thermodynamic Profiling System for Enhanced Airport Operations

Radiometrics of Frederick, CO has developed a Wind and Thermodynamic Profiling System (WTPS) termed SkyCast that is an integrated meteorological instrumentation and software system deployed at launch ranges, and commercial and military airport locations worldwide to enhance launch availability windows and meet safety requirements for launches, aircraft, and ground operations.

The SkyCast system consists of:

• a Radar Wind Profiler (RWP) and Acoustic Wind Profiler (AWP) which when combined provide vertical profiles of wind velocities from the near-surface to an altitude of ~18 km depending on the configuration and instrument model
• a Microwave Profiling Radiometer (MPR) which provides vertical profiles of atmospheric thermodynamics and integrated moisture products from the surface to 10 km
• a surface sensor to provide surface thermodynamic and wind conditions
• automated decision-support products including wind shear alerts, fog and inversion detection and trending, and trending of various sounding and precipitation indices for a multitude of weather phenomena critical to operations
• a customizable web-based dashboard for data visualization, analysis, and decision-making

The integrated datasets provide continuous wind and thermodynamic profiles similar to radiosonde launches directly over the operational site. New profiles and decision-support products are generated at 5-minute intervals allowing for real-time informed decision-making.

SkyCast is utilized to monitor a variety of aviation and launch weather applications including:

• wind shear detection and alerting
• fog formation, depth, and burn-off
• inversion development, depth, strength, and erosion
• detection of the presence of icing conditions
• atmospheric stability and convective initiation
• low-level jet formation/strength/dissipation

The system has been installed at numerous international airports. This presentation will provide information on the SkyCast instrumentation, data processing, and end-user products as well as examples of installations.