Ground-Based Powerline Detector Advances

U.S. FAA officials responsible for regulation of obstacle marking and lighting are weighing whether to approve a Norwegian-developed system as an alternate means of marking powerlines. Oslo-based OCAS developed the Obstacle Collision Avoidance System in conjunction with the Norwegian utility Statoil and the Royal Norwegian Air Force. It uses a low-power, L-band radar mounted on powerline stanchions to detect aircraft on a collision course with the wires. It then lights up the affected stanchions using existing beacons and broadcasts a low-power warning on all VHF frequencies. Utilities like the system because it is less expensive than keeping stanchions lighted all night. It appeals to aircraft operators because it doesn't require installation of an onboard detector. For related news