Aviation Applications of TAMDAR Aircraft Data Reports

Meteorological data from 61 commuter aircraft were utilized by meteorologists to make improved aviation forecasts during an experiment called the TAMDAR Great Lakes Fleet Experiment. TAMDAR (Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Report) is an instrument package and communications system designed by AirDat, LLC as part of NASA and FAA aviation safety initiatives. Real-time weather data is collected during ascent, descent and cruising altitude by an instrument with temperature, humidity, icing, and pressure sensors. Wind and turbulence data are calculated. TAMDAR data was transmitted via satellite to an AirDat ground station, then relayed to NOAA's Forecast Systems Laboratory where they are made available to certain government, university and airline meteorologists via an interactive web page. Data were also made available to the public via an AirDat maintained internet site. Meteorologists at many National Weather Service Forecast Offices and Center Weather Service Units found TAMDAR to be valuable in forecasting ceilings, visibilities and turbulence in Terminal Forecasts and Center Weather Advisories. Several examples are presented to demonstrate how TAMDAR was valuable in forecasting different weather phenomena important to aviation.