FAA Tests Windtracer Lidar

The FAA is evaluating a Lockheed Martin WindTracer lidar system at Las Vegas McCarran International. The system is designed to improve flight safety and airport operational efficiency by providing advanced warning of wind hazards and wind shifts. Developed and produced by Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies, the WindTracer system continuously scans the approach and departure corridors, enabling air traffic control personnel to offer precise, timely direction to pilots during their most critical phase of flight. The lidar system uses pulses of infrared light and receives data when the light reflects off naturally occurring dust particles in the air. It complements radar by excelling in dry and clear weather conditions. In 2005, the WindTracer was installed at McCarran for a demonstration. Data from the system and comparison to the onsite Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) showed a significant increase in wind shear detection rate. More detailed testing is now being conducted by the FAA at the major U.S. airport. The FAA has determined that WindTracer can supplement TDWR at dry climate sites where dry gust fronts and microbursts occur more than wet wind shear. At McCarran, the frequency of dry wind shear events is roughly three times that of wet events. For microburst and gust front encounters, pilots often perform a wind shear go-around to stabilize the approach for safe landing. WindTracer, coupled with TDWR, can considerably reduce the costly go-around phase of flight by producing accurate warning signals and weather alerts.