Lidar wind sensing at cruise altitudes for flight-level optimization

Russell Targ; Lawrence L. Ames

doi:10.1117/12.241057

27 May 1996 Lidar wind sensing at cruise altitudes for flight-level optimization

Russell Targ, Lawrence L. Ames

Proceedings Volume 2737, Air Traffic Control Technologies II; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241057
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing and Controls, 1996, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

It has been apparent for more than a decade that the weather-forecast wind speed reaching flight crews in commercial aircraft differs by an average of +/- 15 knots from the wind speed actually experienced during the flight at cruise altitude. We recently analyzed wind-versus-altitude forecasts and found that the forecast altitude of maximum wind is also in error, by an average of +/- 4800 feet. In this era of increasing free-flight operations, we propose the use of airborne laser radar to measure winds above and below the aircraft in real time, so that a pilot can optimize the flight altitude with respect to prevailing winds. Analysis shows that such a lidar system would generate fuel savings of $LR100,000 to $LR200,000 per aircraft per year, especially for transoceanic routes. THis saving would pay for the instrument in one to two years.

Citation Download Citation

Russell Targ and Lawrence L. Ames "Lidar wind sensing at cruise altitudes for flight-level optimization", Proc. SPIE 2737, Air Traffic Control Technologies II, (27 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241057

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