GROUNDSPEED/AIRSPEED DIFFERENCES AS A WIND SHEAR INDICATOR AND FLIGHT EVALUATION OF A DME-DERIVED SYSTEM TO DETERMINE GROUNDSPEED

The use of groundspeed in conjunction with airspeed as a wind shear indicator is discussed. It is shown that a satisfactory indication of headwind can be obtained using indicated airspeed and a low-cost groundspeed measurement device. This report describes the flight test and evaluation of a distance measuring equipment (DME) range-rate derived system for measuring airplane groundspeed. The system consists of a specially developed airborne unit operating in conjunction with unmodified very high frequency omnidirectional radio range (VOR)/DME ground stations. Operating at ranges up to 50 nautical miles in level flight directly toward or away from the ground station, the root mean square (RMS) groundspeed error is 3 to 5 knots. In landing approaches or climbout, the RMS error is 4 to 8 knots. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Aviation Administration

  William J. Hughes Technical Center, Airport Technology Research and Development Branch
  Atlantic City International Airport
  Atlantic City, NJ  United States  08405

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Authors:
  • Lawrence, D M
• Publication Date: 1981-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 64 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Airspeed; Avionics; Distance measuring equipment; Equipment; Ground speed; Indicators (Instruments); Measurement; Radio; Transmission; Very high frequency; Wind shear
• Old TRIS Terms: Aircraft equipment; Ground speed indicators; Radio ranges
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00337118
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FAA-CT-80-29, FAA-RD-81-1
• Files: NTIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 9 2003 12:00AM