Wake Vortex and Cross Winds

Accurate wake turbulence measurements are critical for improved flight line area safety and improved airport efficiency.

OSI has made detailed theoretical and empirical studies using our Long-baseline Optical Anemometer (LOA-005) to measure atmosphere-induced optical scintillations. The LOA can be utilized to measure the atmospheric turbulence, crosswinds, and wake vortex real-time in an airport environment.

The LOA can help airports understand the near ground vertical profiles of the atmospheric turbulence and wind, which are critical for the forecasting of the decaying of wake vortex.

To measure the vertical turbulence profiles in an airport, OSI has demonstrated a geometric configuration using several sets of single-ended optical scintillometers (LOA) pointed to several retroreflectors mounted at different heights on a tower to obtain the near ground vertical turbulence and crosswind profiles up to the top of the tower.

A successful implementation and demonstration of LOA technology could definitely lead to the large-scale deployment of wake turbulence systems at airports around the globe.

With real-time measurements of runway crosswind, turbulence, downdraft, and wake vortices, airport safety and throughput can be greatly increased as smaller planes would no longer have to always wait the maximum amount of predicted time following takeoff of a larger plane for a wake vortex to dissipate.

OSI is looking for a partnership to further develop LOA technology. The results of the NASA studies show the proposed LOA syste