Problem

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the FAA needed to flight test and optimize their in situ turbulence severity estimation algorithm.

Approach

AeroTech implemented the NCAR/FAA algorithm for testing on the highly instrumented NASA Boeing 757-200 research aircraft. This required the “tuning” of the algorithms for this particular aircraft. In addition, AeroTech implemented improvements in the algorithm, as well as developed another version based on a completely different approach.

Results

The NCAR/FAA algorithms were subjected to turbulence on an experimental aircraft for the first time. The newer versions of the algorithms performed better overall – less susceptible to false estimations. The changes and improvements developed by AeroTech have subsequently been adopted in a wider implementation of this algorithm by NCAR and the FAA.

AeroTech Contributions

Algorithm development and refinement, aircraft and algorithm simulation, flight test development, and data analysis. AeroTech also designed and directed the flight test plans.

View "Improving Airport Take-Off and Landing Efficiency: EDR - A Key Component" (644 KB .PDF).

Partners

• FAA,
• NASA, and
• National Center for Atmospheric Research