1995 wake vortex testing program at Memphis, TN

Abstract

This paper describes wake vortex field measurements conducted during August, 1995 at Memphis, TN. The objective of this effort was to record wake vortex behavior for varying atmospheric conditions and aircraft types. Wake vortex behavior was observed using a mobile continuous-wave (CW) coherent laser Doppler radar (lidar) developed at Lincoln Laboratory. This lidar features a number of improvements over previous systems, including the first-ever demonstration of an automatic wake vortex detection and tracking algorithm. An extensive meteorological data collection system was deployed in support of the wake vortex measurements, including a 150' instrumented tower, wind profiler/ RASS (radio acoustic sounding system), sodar and balloon soundings. Aircraft flight plan and beacon data were automatically collected to determine aircraft flight number, type, speed and descent rate. Additional data was received from airlines in post-processing to determine aircraft weight and model. Over 600 aircraft wakes were recorded over the one-month period during 29 traffic pushes. Preliminary results from the field measurement program are presented illustrating differences in wake vortex behavior depending on atmospheric conditions and aircraft type.

Numerical simulation of wake vortices measured during the Idaho Falls and Memphis field programs

“…The NASA-Langley sponsored field study was conducted by MIT Lincoln Laboratories, in November and December of 1994 and again in August 1995. 27,28 The purpose of the study was to gather meteorological, wake vortex, and aircraft data at an operational airport, for use in validation of wake vortex models and for direct use in the development of the AVOSS prediction system. Aircraft wake vortex measurements were obtained with a 10.6 micron continuous wave laser with real time identification and tracking algorithms.…”

Research towards a wake-vortex advisory system for optimal aircraft spacing

“…The resulting deployments to the Memphis International Airport in 1994 and 1995 [68,69] were optimised for scientific data collection and testing of advanced continuous-wave LIDAR for wake detection and tracking. The instrumentation, which was assembled in co-operation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Lincoln Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Volpe National Transportation Systems Centre, FAA, and others, was the most comprehensive used to that date for wake vortex studies.…”

The NASA-Langley wake vortex modelling effort in support of an operational aircraft spacing system

“…Since atmospheric effects are anticipated as having a strong influence on wake vortex behavior, extensive meteorological measurements were made during the recent NASA sponsored deployments at Memphis 6,7 and at the Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) International airports. Environmental data was obtained from a variety of sensors that included a 42 m instrumented tower, an acoustic sodar, an atmospheric wind profiler, a radio acoustic sounding system (RASS), soil temperature and solar radiation sensors, and special rawinsonde balloon launches.…”