Monitoring Wake Vortices for More Efficient Airports

About this technology

Overview

NASA's Langley Research Center, working with the FAA on a joint project known as the Wake Turbulence Research Program, conducted research on the wake vortices at the Denver International Airport. The research teams used WindTracer as a ground truth sensor for these wake vortex acoustic tests. WindTracer is manufactured by Coherent Technologies, Inc., the recipient of a Langley Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to develop this integral piece of equipment. WindTracer detects wind hazards such as windshear, microbursts, gust fronts, turbulence, crosswinds, and wake vortices that can compromise the safety of an aircraft. It detects these hazards and transmits real-time data to air traffic control display monitors, providing immediate audio and visual alerts to the staff when dangerous conditions arise. It is now in use in airports around the world.